How legal should prostitution be?

[Rexedgar]

Other. Consent must be limited to adults and in writing.

Everyone doesn’t alway have a contract in their pocket.

 

[VanceMack]

Sex work is a risky career that many engage in for survival, not because they genuinely want to. However, decriminalization can make it safer for those involved and help catch criminals.

If prostitution is legal, a prostitute can go to the police and report a rape, sexual assault, assault, theft of services, etc. This will deter scumbags who, under the current system in America, target prostitutes for abuse because they know a prostitute cannot go to the police for help.

If prostitution is legal, a prostitute can vet clients without fear of getting arrested. Instead of getting into some strange person's car in the middle of the night in a sketchy part of town, a prostitute can talk to the potential client in a public place, surrounded by people in the light of day.

If prostitution is legal, a prostitute can work in a government-regulated brothel that has to hold up to health standards. A prostitute has rights as an employee, and a right to severance pay.

In a society where sex work is decriminalized, a prostitute is more empowered than ever and is given a real voice and a better standard of living.

I seriously doubt it would have the impact you think it will have.

I spent several years in Vegas in the 80s. Among other things I was a bodyguard for the high end strippers at the Palomino Club. These werent single moms paying food bills...they were some of the biggest names in the porn industry. The difference in their demeanor when they are 'on' in public and when they are alone and leaving venues is night and day. Some of the women that were there were also high end call girls. They were 'selective'...it was still a meat market. I cant say I ever knew anyone of the women that worked at the Chicken Ranch and the other brothels, but I worked with social workers that did. Legal brothels...no less a problem with drugs and addiction.

Prostitution is an evil trade. Its destructive. Making it legal doesnt make it less so. It doesnt make the force, coercion, sex trafficking, or any of the 'legal' measures any less destructive. This is a lousy 'cause' to champion.

 

[WillyPete]

I think it is rarely wise to attempt to enforce the unenforceable.

It is as though these laws exist so we can delude ourselves that their existence makes them effective.

Anti-prostitution law makes the situation worse, because prostitutes must rely on other criminals for protection instead of police.

 

[Unbeknownst]

How do you know they are "consenting adults" and not hostages in a sex ring of some kind?

I am for it being legal, but there should be some sort of a license or something that the woman (or man) applies for so it can be established that she is of her own free will and has had a medical checkup every so often etc.
What do you think of that idea?
It is actually this way in some places.

Kidnapping and trafficking will both still be illegal.

If prostitution is legal, when given the opportunity a prostitute who is being trafficked can go to the police and explain the situation without fear the police will arrest them for prostitution.

If prostitution is legal, a John who has suspicions the prostitute is being trafficked can go to the police and report it without fear of being arrested for having bought (or attempted to buy) sex.

And if brothels are legal and have to go through business registration, pay taxes, etc., discrepancies in their records can help officials determine if the brothel is engaging in illegal activities. And brothels that choose not to go the legal route will have bad business, why would a John go to some shady, illegal, non-government regulated brothel when they could go to a safe one and engage with a willing prostitute?

I seriously doubt it would have the impact you think it will have.

I spent several years in Vegas in the 80s. Among other things I was a bodyguard for the high end strippers at the Palomino Club. These werent single moms paying food bills...they were some of the biggest names in the porn industry. The difference in their demeanor when they are 'on' in public and when they are alone and leaving venues is night and day. Some of the women that were there were also high end call girls. They were 'selective'...it was still a meat market. I cant say I ever knew anyone of the women that worked at the Chicken Ranch and the other brothels, but I worked with social workers that did. Legal brothels...no less a problem with drugs and addiction.

Prostitution is an evil trade. Its destructive. Making it legal doesnt make it less so. It doesnt make the force, coercion, sex trafficking, or any of the 'legal' measures any less destructive. This is a lousy 'cause' to champion.

Part of Nevada's problem is that sex work is not fully decriminalized. For example, a woman who, for whatever reason, has resorted to prostitution, can't just post an advertisement online and start working out of her home. She is required by Nevada law to work for a brothel.

Brothels, therefore, have a monopoly on the sex trade. If a woman is unhappy at a trashy brothel, she can't choose to leave and employ herself without being at risk for arrest. The brothels take large cuts of the salaries of the prostitutes and the workers are sometimes treated in a very substandard way.

As for addiction, I am in full support of both private and government-funded programs to combat drug addiction by offering free counseling services.

 

[VanceMack]

Kidnapping and trafficking will both still be illegal.

If prostitution is legal, when given the opportunity a prostitute who is being trafficked can go to the police and explain the situation without fear the police will arrest them for prostitution.

If prostitution is legal, a John who has suspicions the prostitute is being trafficked can go to the police and report it without fear of being arrested for having bought (or attempted to buy) sex.

And if brothels are legal and have to go through business registration, pay taxes, etc., discrepancies in their records can help officials determine if the brothel is engaging in illegal activities. And brothels that choose not to go the legal route will have bad business, why would a John go to some shady, illegal, non-government regulated brothel when they could go to a safe one and engage with a willing prostitute?

Part of Nevada's problem is that sex work is not fully decriminalized. For example, a woman who, for whatever reason, has resorted to prostitution, can't just post an advertisement online and start working out of her home. She is required by Nevada law to work for a brothel.

Brothels, therefore, have a monopoly on the sex trade. If a woman is unhappy at a trashy brothel, she can't choose to leave and employ herself without being at risk for arrest. The brothels take large cuts of the salaries of the prostitutes and the workers are sometimes treated in a very substandard way.

As for addiction, I am in full support of both private and government-funded programs to combat drug addiction by offering free counseling services.

The addiction problem is the same in both legal brothels and on the streets.

Not sure if you are getting this. Prostition is an emotionally damaging practice. Settings notwithstanding.

 

[soylentgreen]

A can of coke can’t allege rape. No taxes would be paid on an alleged rape. Simply have sex with a (known to be wealthy) ‘client’, refuse to accept payment (maybe even claiming that it was offered as hush money?) and claim rape.

That is what happens when prostitution is illegal.
What is to stop a shop owner from claiming theft of a can of coke when a customer has just paid cash for it?

 

[TheParser]

I wish Americans would be more mature, as our most (not all) Europeans.

I understand that Germany considers sex workers to simply be another job classification. A man going to a brothel is no big deal.

On the other hand, Sweden now outlaws prostitution, and it will prosecute any Swede who visits another country where he partakes of legal prostitution.

Hear tell, too, that France (yes, France!) is considering outlawing prostitution. I guess there are various reasons, but hear tell one reason is, well, super controversial. Brigitte Bardot, the former movie star, has been fined by the courts for claiming that the prostitution business is being ruined by there being so many, uh, non-French prostitutes. (Oh, yes. Even England is talking about making it illegal. (For the same reason?)

IMHO, there would be fewer sex crimes and much happier single and married American men if there were legal brothels. And maybe fewer divorces.

During World War II, the armed forces did what they could to provide such services to American servicemen.

As one famous general put it (I have cleaned up his language): "Soldiers without an outlet for their natural desires will have less incentive to fight."

 

[Court Jester]

Government should never outlaw or regulate or tax sex between two (or more) consenting adults.

Yet government regulates tobacco, alchohol, and many other things which have a detrimental effect on society.

Prostitution is not always a victimless crime; there is a lot of exploitation and ill effects which society must then deal with. Which is why some laws are required to keep it in check.

 

[ttwtt78640]

That is what happens when prostitution is illegal.

Yep and making it legal (or decriminalized) does not change that.

What is to stop a shop owner from claiming theft of a can of coke when a customer has just paid cash for it?

Nothing except a receipt and the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.

 

[Unbeknownst]

The addiction problem is the same in both legal brothels and on the streets.

Not sure if you are getting this. Prostition is an emotionally damaging practice. Settings notwithstanding.

Prostitution CAN be emotionally damaging and oftentimes is. I don't think it inherently HAS to be. And I want to eliminate, or at least lessen many of the factors that worsen the lives of the prostitutes and cause emotional damage.

Things like crimes being committed against prostitutes, prostitutes working in dangerous conditions, prostitutes being arrested and roughly and cruelly treated by police officers. And I've been explaining how decriminalization could help with these issues.

If people will resort to prostitution for survival regardless of legality, I want to at least make sure these people aren't suffering abuse and terrible conditions in silence because they can't speak up without getting arrested.

 

[VanceMack]

Prostitution CAN be emotionally damaging and oftentimes is. I don't think it inherently HAS to be. And I want to eliminate, or at least lessen many of the factors that worsen the lives of the prostitutes and cause emotional damage.

Things like crimes being committed against prostitutes, prostitutes working in dangerous conditions, prostitutes being arrested and roughly and cruelly treated by police officers. And I've been explaining how decriminalization could help with these issues.

If people will resort to prostitution for survival regardless of legality, I want to at least make sure these people aren't suffering abuse and terrible conditions in silence because they can't speak up without getting arrested.

You are a guy....right?

 

[craig]

It should not go beyond the theatre and dinner. OK, maybe a vacation at a resort. But absolutely not painting a house.

 

[Unbeknownst]

You are a guy....right?

"Undisclosed" means undisclosed.

I cannot speak from the position of a sex worker because I have never participated in sex work. But there is testimony of sex workers out there who say the experience was empowering for them, and they liked the money and independence. I don't think this is the experience for the majority of people, but I wish it could be the experience for more people, and I want sex work to be decriminalized so sex workers can be safer and happier.

 

[ttwtt78640]

It should not go beyond the theatre and dinner. OK, maybe a vacation at a resort. But absolutely not painting a house.

You seem to be negotiating the price.

 

[VanceMack]

"Undisclosed" means undisclosed.

I cannot speak from the position of a sex worker because I have never participated in sex work. But there is testimony of sex workers out there who say the experience was empowering for them, and they liked the money and independence. I don't think this is the experience for the majority of people, but I wish it could be the experience for more people, and I want sex work to be decriminalized so sex workers can be safer and happier.

Yeah...and I guess its totally arrogant of me to presume its destructive to all. Just with the individuals and circumstances I know of.

Ive always said if men could get paid a sustainable income for having sex, prostitution wouldnt be a seedy insitution in search of legal status...it would be a valued profession with advanced college degrees.

 

[craig]

You seem to be negotiating the price.

Churchill had a clever wit.

 

[lurchadams]

The standard is you take a woman out 3 times and expect sex. How much have you paid to get to the end of the 3rd date? Kind of reminds me of paying for sex on a payment plan....And it's all legal;

"At some point, someone decided that guys are supposed to expect sex on the third date. And while this seems to be somewhat common, it might also be an example of self-fulfilling prophecy"

I don't think it's just GUYS who want and expect it anymore. Women are sexual creatures as well.

 

[soylentgreen]

Yep and making it legal (or decriminalized) does not change that.



Nothing except a receipt and the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.

If anyone is that paranoid then when prostitution is legal they can obtain a receipt.

When prostitution is not legal then you have those problems.

 

[Lisa]

As long as both parties are of legal age (21 years old) and willfully consent, then there is no government involvement in prostitution.

Both patties should be tested for STDs and all sex workers should have access to 24-hour mental health services.

 

[WillyPete]

Yeah...and I guess its totally arrogant of me to presume its destructive to all. Just with the individuals and circumstances I know of.

It's a perfectly legitimate position to hold, it's just not helpful in the least.

If you could snap your fingers and end prostitution, I assume you'd have done that by now.

Instead, we have to work within a reality where prostitution is going to exist, and all we get to decide is whether we want to make things worse.

 

[VanceMack]

It's a perfectly legitimate position to hold, it's just not helpful in the least.

If you could snap your fingers and end prostitution, I assume you'd have done that by now.

Instead, we have to work within a reality where prostitution is going to exist, and all we get to decide is whether we want to make things worse.

I personally dont believe the answer to a problem is EVER to normalize the problem.

 

[ttwtt78640]

As long as both parties are of legal age (21 years old) and willfully consent, then there is no government involvement to prostitution.

What other industries enjoy that level of freedom? Even operating a taco truck has “government involvment”.

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www.webstaurantstore.com

 

[Lisa]

What other industries enjoy that level of freedom? Even operating a taco truck has “government involvment”.

Food Truck Permits and Licenses

Several permits are essential when starting a new food truck business. We run you through what permits and licenses are necessary and how to obtain them in our article!

www.webstaurantstore.com

Taco trucks have the health code/inspections because they must be free of food-borne illnesses, plus worker safety regs. I worked in a bakery. I know all about that.


BTW, Did you see my later edit? (about 5 minutes ago)

 

[Loulit01]

I personally dont believe the answer to a problem is EVER to normalize the problem.

They're legalizing pot all over the place. Will that make things better or worse?

 

[SkyChief]

. . . . Prostitution is not always a victimless crime; there is a lot of exploitation and ill effects which society must then deal with. Which is why some laws are required to keep it in check.

This is a textbook straw-man argument.

The government should not intervene into sexual relations between consenting adults. NEVER - under any circumstances.

The fact that government DOES intervene in these types of sexual relationships is a flaw in GOVERNMENT, and not a flaw in the relationship (or the consenting individuals).