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Prostitution and Political Sex Scandals
A major scandal rocked our nation when it was publicly announced that Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated an escort / prostitution service in Washington D.C.
Wow, imagine that. She provided a service that people were seeking, employed women who were seeking employment, paid these women well and did her best to ensure safe working conditions. Hmmm. Seems like sound business practices to me.
And yet, certain individuals want to send her to prison because of some outdated puritanical laws that are left over from the times of witch burning and other proud moments in our history.
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Hypocrisy and Prostitution
One of our readers said it best: "The perception of Prostitution is more ridiculous and hypocritical than all else. It’s the oldest profession yet the one most demonized. Why? The government could control the houses with all health issues addressed, tax revenues for the government, contented customers who now hide, and finally prostitution off the streets. Instead, it’s illegal with harsh jail sentences, and not government controlled.
I find it perplexing that politicians, bankers, lawyers, business people, and all other men and women use the profession, yet it’s illegal in the eyes of the religious and hypocrites. It’s all lunacy." — NelsonR, Netscape.com
The very politicians and government officials who fight to ban prostitution are indulging in it. Wow, what a surprise. Hypocrisy at it’s finest. The beauty here is that Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s defense team has decided to release the names of all her clients, most likely including some of those same government officials.
Escort Service or Prostitution… So What’s the Difference?
OK, she says it was a high end escort service, but authorities are calling it a prostitution ring.
We hear a lot about escort services and how they’re legal, but every now and then an "escort service" gets shut down and the media proudly proclaims it was actually "a prostitution ring". So what’s really the difference? Plausible Deniability… An escort service simply introduces the escort to the client. He or she is responsible for what goes on behind closed doors. Which by the way is no one else’s business!
Is Prostitution a Sin?
Here’s an interesting question… Please take a moment and really think about this one. No, not the media propaganda - what do YOU think?
Why is prostitution a Sin? Clearly it’s driven by the religious fringe that cried foul when Janet Jackson’s breast escaped. These are the same people that declared a day of mourning for the "breast" moment.
If fact, why don’t we just ask women to keep their faces covered in public while we’re at it? There are other religious extremists in this world who still require women to cover their faces in public (it’s pornographic and sinful to show their faces).
And do they really need to be allowed to go to jobs? Nah, let’s force them to stay in their homes, pregnant and raising babies. And this whole voting mess, clearly that’s for men only.
Obviously there’s a need for more separation of church and state - laws like this are downright scary.
Why is Prostitution a Crime?
Here’s the question of the hour… Continued on next page >>
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Comments
81 Responses to “Should Prostitution be Legal? Take the Poll!”
Great question … it’s something that’s not addressed enough. I think the majority of people would probably legalize it, even if they don’t use the service, but it’s a very vocal minority that keeps things the way they are. I’ve never used prostitution, but I don’t feel it’s any of my business (or the government’s) if someone else wants to. Who does it hurt?
not much of a moral question but more of a reality question.
You can’t alter the morals of a state by regulating laws. Each individual will choose to do things their own way, and it will happen anyways - may as well make it safer.
Look up the “Robert Pickton” trial that’s happening in Vancouver. It almost reminds me of that freakishly religious priest in the movie “Sin City” where they brutally mutilate and murder prostitutes.
They’re people too, and if they can be better protected by legalizing it, it should be legalized. No matter how many religious zealots we have who are afraid of indulging in sex, it’s going to happen anyhow. It’s not something law can change. Prostitution has been in human life forever and will be in it forever.
“Is Prostitution a Sin?”
I find it interesting that the author speaks against religion through most of the article, but then asks a question that forces us to look at religion for the answer.
What is the definition of sin?
” 1 a) An offense against God, religion, or good morals b)the condition of being guilty of continued offense against God, religion, or good morals. 2 an offense against any law, standard, code, etc.” Webster’s Dictionary 1991
Prostitution is definetly an offense against God. He has told us that sex outside of marriage is a sin. Thus yes the prostitute and the person having sex with the prostitute (unless they are married to each other) are sinning.
Why is it that sex is the only commodity that is legal to give away but illegal to sell?
Perhaps Seung-Hui Cho just needed to get laid. . .and I am not being silly! Hormones can run rampant - ignored homrmones can make one insane. As Isaac Asimov stated, “Bad chemicals in the brain”. Self esteem is an important ingredient for young men, and prostitution can feed that. For us older men, it would help our self esteem (right - you guys in the middle you’re on your own!).
If anyone has noticed - “moral” values change with history - therefore there is nothing immoral - just society making judgements - and I don’t think anyone should judge anyone.
Ive always found it funny how the one act required to procure the continuation of our species is also concidered dirty and nasty and a sin unless its preformed in a specific fashion first dictated by men who weren’t allowed to have sex because they had entered into a loving covenant with their male deity.
Women all over the world prostitute themselves every day. Im married with 6 kids. I am a stay at home mom. Part of that is that I often have sex with my husband whether I feel like it or not because I know what he did during the day to make sure there was a roof over our heads. Thats exchanging one service for another. I have always said that my role as wife was more one of hostess, teacher, cook, maid and prostitute.
Keeping it illigal is just stupid. After hundreds of years of trying to convince people to not have sex outside of marrage the one thing we know for sure is that pretty much everyone has sex in some form outside of marrage. Even the good christain teens that promised to stay virgins are having oral sex.
Its passed time we let go of antiquated ideas accepted reality and based the laws on what we know society wants and will participate in rather than some religious ideal of what things should be so that a group of people who aren’t getting any can control a group of people who are.
I say this with the upmost respect for christains and the ministry. After all Im a preachers kid. But, Im also a realist who knows that religion as it stands now is under a major struggle because of all the so called sins that try to stop humans from being humans even when it will cause no harm to another human. Rape, incest, pedifilia those things should be illigal but outside of that if two consenting people wish to have sex in what ever fashion even if it involves the exchanging of goods, services or money, its no one elses business and they should be left alone to do that.
Besides men might think twice about going to a whore house situatied in the middle of down town where they might be seen as apposed to hiding in a car with tinted windows in a dark alley. Its illigal now only because its not fun without the thrill of getting caught
Thanks guys for the topic. With the work you’ve got in it, I take it you were already working on this subject before I suggested it. Thanks anyway.
DML kinda stole my thunder, but I couldn’t agree more, Sex is the only thing that’s legal to do, but not legal to buy. Why is that? When someone can give me a good answer to that, I’ll consider the other side of the argument, until then, it’s just a puritanical outdated law.
Secondly, we need to keep in mind that every female prostitute out there is someone’s daughter. So, without anyone justifying why their daughter wouldn’t be in that situation, think for a minute about this question. If your daughter chose prostitution (for whatever reason) would you rather her be protected in a legal brothel, or on the street of some city on her own?
Obviously we all know the answer to this question, so why do you devalue the lives of, and deny protection to, all these other “daughters”?
The apostle Paul said in the New Testament of the HOLY BIBLE, “All things are lawful but not all things are good for edification”. As a matter of fact he said it 3 times at least to emphasize his point. So let me tell the world what this means. Paul is basically saying that anyone can take what is legal and make it wrong and anyone can take whats wrong and use it for good. You can obey every law that there is and still be wrong, and you can disobey every law there is and still be right, why? Because love is the fullfillment of the law. For example, if there is a law saying everyone must present their I.D. to board the evacuation ship to escape the storm. Now a certain woman with 5 children walked 3 days to get to the ship and forgot her I.D. Well law says turn her back around but GODs Love says accept her. One gate guard obeyed the law and turned her away, while the other disobeyed the law and let them in, who was right? According to GODs love the one who was merciful and let them in was right! So no matter if prostitution or any other thing is made legal, GOD will always judge the heart at the end. (Peace and Mercy be with the reader, for if you do anything, do not seek self but do all to the glory of God, for even Jesus did not seek to please himself- Romans Chapter 15).
Not only would it lower rape cases but it would also
bring in money to States and the Federal Govt.
France made Prostitution elegal years ago and rape
encreased almost 30%.
To answer the question of should prostitution be made legal or not I must take the world in a journey into what I call GODs love; THE HOLY BIBLE.
Paul stated this many times in the New Testament, but one in particular in 1 Corinthians 6:12 states that (All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful).
Now to make plain to the world what Paul is saying here, is basically anyone can turn wrong into right and right into wrong, meaning, you can obey every law in this world and still be wrong, and you can disobey every law in this world and still be right, why? Because the Holy Bible states that love is the fullfillment of the law.
Let me give an example, a law was passed stating that no one will board the evacuation ship without an I.D. A certain woman walked 3 days with 5 children to board the ship but when she arrived she realized she had forgotten her I.D. Now one guard obeyed the law and turned her away to die, while the other guard disobeyd the law and allowed the woman and her children on the ship to live. Which guard did GOD approve of? Common sense will tell you that the guard who showed love and mercy found favor in GODs eyesight, even though he disobeyed the law.
Basically, it doesnt matter if you legalize prostitution, smoking at age 13, or anything of the like, GOD will always know the heart of the individual commiting such acts, and he and only he can judge whether the act is good or bad for the individual or if it is good or bad to others around that individual. The important thing is to remember, (If you do anything, dont do it to please yourself, but do all things to the glory of GOD. For even Jesus did not please himself- Romans Chapter 15)
GEEZ,
Lets get off our high horses, legalize it, tax it,keep it clean. Help stop the spread of STD’s by keeping the hookers clean.
Prostitution is a multi-billion dollar—untaxed—
industry…Just think, at even minimal 15% tax rate,thats over 150 mil in uncollected tax…plus the earned income would generate jobs.
Why shouldn’t it be legal? After all the goverment has been makeing us pay for the screwing they have been giveing us for years. It’s been around as long as politics, and you can at least get a kiss befor … well you know the rest of the story
Sex is a far more powerful high than winning at keno or the horses. The reason prostitution is illegal is because a sexually powerful individual is able to take complete financial control of those they dominate. This does not affect only the “consenting” individuals - it also affects those that are financially dependent upon them.
We isolate gambling venues - if you want to legalize prostitution, handle it the same way - or isn’t that how we handle it already in Las Vegas?
There may be other ways of dealing with it - licensing and regulating the sex trade so that the financial damage is limited. However, that puts government in the sex trade. We have the lottery - can you imagine what we’d end up with if the sex trade was regulated? The immediate association is the porn star that ran for the Italian Parliament. You might call that life catching up with politics, but I have more respect for the vast majority of our public servants.
Legalize it along with marijuana, take the criminal element out of both, tax it heavily and everyone is happy. You can get sex if you want it, you can get stoned if you want to, and the republicans can pay back some of the federal deficit.
The only difference between “prostitution” and a “politition”, is that being a polition is legal. They both get paid to “screw you” somehow or another.Someone just got a little pissed off because she probably made a few dollars more than they did. It’s been aroun for hundreds of years and will be for hundreds more, so why not legalize it. Who’s it gonna hurt? The politions that are all butt hurt about it?
hey folks, check out the male bias here,is prostitution is always a female thing?
yes there are male prostitutes too, herto and homo believe it or not!!!
the bottom line is that the organized commerical sex business is fairly dispersed because there is a lot more available sex.( guys still have to spend ) It would make a lot more sense to give out individual licenses in restricetd parts of town; easy to maintain safety, no interaction with citizens that might not like it, no kids accidently exposed.
I know in my town there used to be a few places where cars would park after dark and folks would get human! well the authorties decided to make a big deal out of it and arrest folks, embarass them etc. did it stop folks?,nope they just disperesed alll over the city, which made it much more diffcult to detect. now condoms are all over the city instesd of in one place!!
It is so funny, it is illegal and allegedly immoral to pay someone for sex, but it is legal and moral to pay someone to violently beat the shit out of another person and televise it for kids and call it entertainment!!!???? someone pllease explain this to me!!
Prostitution is already legal. Its called “Dating.”
The reason why it is not legal is because of Women. Yeah, you heard that right, women. I know there are women in the profession, those women are excluded. My explanation for that is simple. Legalization would threaten the very power that woman have over men. If men could get sex elsewhere, why should men make a commitment to just one person? That question would be what regular women would be thinking or at least they would feel that way. Sex as a bargaining chip would be over.
I guess the fact that this lady wanted to help other women who were in need is a good intention to look at, but I don’t believe that this is a profession. Selling yourself should not be considered business. These women are people who may be going through a really damn tough time, but they should not have to degrade themselves to that kind of position to make it. A friend of mine refused to allow her fiance to have a Bachelor party with a stripper because she refused to have him pay for a woman to degrade herself in front of completely strange men. I agree with that completely.
If these women work maybe one percent harder, I am so sure they can find jobs. I hear about job openings everyday at my social services office, and they are much more reputable, clean, and respectable.
I cannot accept giving away a woman’s precious private body to some man because he will give her some amount of money. Women, you are worth more than this world says.
Some years ago it was a sin for oposite sex couples to cohabitate without being married. Today is accepted as a fact of life and one’s choice. We even have a name for it, “common law marriage” to make it more palatable to the religious zealots. It seams funny that the same religious zealots, including priests, are more than willing to talk about morality, as long as it is “do as I say, not as I do” type of thing. When will they stop being ashamed that they are humans and as such are sexual beings. Maybe when they will be capable to enjoy sex freely, they will realize that legalizing prostitution shouldn’t even be an issue.
Thoughout history the most well known prostitutes and “flower children” were associated with powerful politicians or with the Vatican. Does the name Lucretia Borgia mean anything? Maybe if prostitution gets legalized, priests won’t turn to little boys.
And yes, I ageree with LadyKelien, throughout a marriage, you “prostitute” yourself several times, regardless how you are looking at it.
From a purely financial point of view, it just makes sense to legalize prostitution, so it can be taxed. In a contry where the tax burden is hitting harder the middle class, we might need to look for a different source of taxable income.
Question:
I love your comment Mark…I agree it should be legalize and kept clean. I also like DML’s comment about why can you give it away but not sell it. I know you are allowed to make a porno but you are not allowed to prostitute….so the ending result is if the prostitute brings a video camara with her is it legal?
don’t mean to ruin christmas for you but there is no santa and no god
Perhaps the main reason it is not legal has nothing to do with either moral or religious values (though the people who wish to keep it illegal readily use both of those as their reason).
Consider: While prostitution has been called the worldsā oldest profession, few have ever considered what is the second older profession: Pimp. The pimp keeps the lionsā share of the proceeds, living well off the labor of his flock. Such people do not want to lose what they consider an easy source of income; an income that is completely unreported and/or taxed. Just as members of the Mafia attend and support church by day, and then commit heinous crimes by night, the pimp too will espouse to others the ills of illegal prostitution, while profiting from the trade. Pimps use politicians, and even police in some cases, who present a āfrontā to the public against prostitution, while secretly receiving bribes in cash and/or āfreeā services.
As the saying goes: āFollow the money.ā
With that being both said and easily understood, the question of moral correctness is one that each person must chose on their own. I personally believe it should be legal, taxed, regulated, etc. This would not close down all illegal prostitution, however it would reduce it. There are few perfect answers, normally just ones that the least evil.
Prostitution is an age old practice. It’s obviously in demand, if it’s legalized, it’s controlled. Take it out of the hands of the pimps who hur the girls and put in into the hands of business women (& men) who hire those who want to be a part of it. These women were there voluntarily not “against their will”.
Let’s get the politicians to preach what they practice. Don’t tell me what I want to hear to my face then do the opposite.
What two consenting adults do behind closed doors is no one’s business. Besides, the police manpower now dedicated to vice squads could be reassigned to real crimes like assault, muerder, robbery, drug traffic, etc, but maybe that makes too much sense.
by Doyle
Prostitution is legal in one or two counties outside or Reno Nevada. It would be interesting to see how much tax money, etc. it brings in and what problems, if any, they experience.
More importantly the gov. is regulating trade. This is a transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer. They negotiate a price…let the market regulate itself.
Should everyone have a neighborhood brothel next door to the post office? Moral and religious values aside, prostitution is currently, and historically, viewed as one of the lowliest professions. The only difference between an elite escort at the Four Seasons and a red light street walker is a prettied faƧade.
A woman (or man) does not grow-up wanting to become a prostitute. Prostitutes are created from a lifestyle of victimization and desperation, and legalizing the industry (as in Nevada) will not change a subculture that also accepts and encourages substance abuse, infidelity, and violence; Honestly, do you want to share your backyard with that sleaze?
I was all in favor of it. In fact, I was going to propose that it be made mandatory. High schools should run bordellos as part of sex education (no underage mattress workers! In Texas 17 is legal screwing age). But when I saw the poll I found out prostitution hurts little kitties. Now I’m completely against it.
First of all, there are some other issues we need to address first. How about legalizing same sex marrige and giving GLBT people the same rights that the rest of us have. How about working to eradicate hate and prejudice. Why are people still killed because of the color of their skin? These folks don’t have the option to choose, Prostitutes do. Why would someone want to sell there moral values for money? Obviously because money is more important to them. What about prostitutes that have children? I guess that money is more important than setting good examples for them. If you look at our society, you will see that money is our only concern, and everything we do is based on it. And mostly based on how to get more. We have lost what is really important: Love, family, friends, Spirituality, caring, compassion, charity and selflessness. But instead were selfish, greedy, dishonest, money hungry people that have lost our way. Should prostitution be legal? I don’t know. But someone that gives money to a complete stranger in order to have sex with them certainly should not be. You can’t put a price on someone’s life and you definitely shouldn’t be able to rent their body for your own pleasure. If you legalize prostitution, you will be further sending the message that money can buy anything. And that goes for the pedofiles, rapists, and child pornographers who will call it a business and call themselves entrepreneur’s. They will find it easier to “hide” amongst the legal sex trade. And not to mention the corruption which will be rampant. Don’t you think it is bad enough already with our polititions, you haven’t seen anything yet. I vote that we focus on helping those that need it, how about feeding to hungry and homeless children, giving GLBT people equal rights, helping minorities, getting rid of prejudice, helping build more shelters and just trying to love each other more. Remember that what is under my skin, is the same as what is under yours. The blood I shed for your freedom, is the same color as the blood shed from my best friend. I am gay and I am a war veteran, my best friend is black and died in Iraq. There are many more that have gone before us, what color do you think their blood was? Lets concentrate on what is important, morals and values, life and love, family, friends. And let us set a good example for our children today, because they will be running our country tomorrow.
I hate ignorant people who think this “GOD” figure is petty enough to worry about whether we pay for sex or exchange other things for sex.
i think i said this before but God is not some super-human who cares about our actions morals etc.
The definition of sin was written by man to keep order and was sold as words from God. While there are a lot of good teachings in bibles of any religion, none of them should be taken in an absolute way and nor should it dictate the life of everybody.
It’s the fairness in my views that allow me to perceive things in the world at a much higher level than religious zealots.
I hate smoking weed but I am for legalization of marijuana. I never have, and never will pay for a hooker because my personal dignity stops me from it but I am still for legalization of prostitution.
Try this kind of unbiased, logical, realistic point of view and you will all see the world differently, and understand God better.
Prostitution is actually legal right now. We all know itās legal in Nevada. However in all states itās legal, if a woman has sex with a man after he buys her dinner or jewelry, if people marry for money not love. Are these people morally superior to someone who simply asks for her money up front? Pornography is another perfect example of how legal, sex for money, actually is right now. These actors and actresses get paid to perform sexual acts. Why is this any different than a prostitute whose client doesnāt want it on film?
For those using the biblical argument, did you know that the old Hebrew term for a prostitute is Kādeshah which means sacred or holy. The temple prostitute was considered a highly respected and honored position. Yes, this is from the early Christian religion.
For those arguing that the women are selling themselves and being degraded, we all sell ourselves and degrade ourselves at times. We all just have different levels of that’s degrading. Have you thought that these women just have a different view of sex than you do.
Danielle you said, “Selling yourself should not be considered business.” I hate to break it to you, but you sell yourself to your social worker job every day. You’re paid for your time and services. Prostitutes just have different services.
Maybe it’s just a jealousy for some women that are working the 40 hour week and making less that a prostitute makes in a day. Take a single mom who choses to be a prostitute one day a week to pay her bills and spend the rest of the week with her child. Is that morally inferior to a woman who is a waitress 50 hours a week and hardly sees her children?
MATCHInform - You said “Moral and religious values aside, prostitution is currently, and historically, viewed as one of the lowliest professions”
Historically being a garbage man is often considered a lowly profession or someone who works a septic truck, should they be illegal just because someone else might consider that type of work “beneath them”?
You also talk about sharing your backyard with that sleeze. I’d argue you share more area with that now than if it were made legal. Just as with every trade, zoning would apply. Is there a coal factory in every neighborhood? No, it’s zoned to different areas. The same would apply with a brothel, it would be restricted to areas away from children, advertising would be heavily restricted. Use common sense here people.
My last argument is regarding the victimization of women. Those who argue legal prostitution would victimize women need to consider these facts.
Women are systematically abused in street prostitution. Whether sheās a high-class call girl, or a girl working the street, prostitutes are regularly beaten, raped and murdered. Dr Melissa Farley of Prostitution Research and Education says that 62% of prostitutes have been raped and 46% have been raped more than 5 times and 82% have been physically abused on the job. Society has virtually ignored this problem On many occasions, police have not responded to the calls of prostitutes saying that prostitutes canāt be raped, itās just a risk of the job. Thereās a reason why serial killers will often choose prostitutes as their prey. This simple reason is people donāt care. Itās proven that in countries that have the most restrictive legal system regarding prostitution the rates of violence are the highest, conversely, countries with the least restrictive legal system have the least problems with violence.
I’ll ask again since I haven’t gotten an answer from anyone who’s anti prostitution. Every prostitute is someoneās daughter, if your daughter took that step, would you rather her be on the streets of Miami or protected in a legal brothel?
Jeff,
Your libertarian views are shared by many. But as you get older you will likely realize that some rules are necessary. Most people donāt care for traffic lights, speed limits or crosswalks, but they understand that these things are needed to keep individuals safe (or at least safer).
The same idea applies to legalized drugs and prostitution. Time and time again, research studies have shown that drugs and prostitution lead to other activities not conducive to a safe, productive environment. Like it or not, drugs and prostitution are illegal (and should stay illegal) to protect our society.
RR nailed it - Robert Pickton is a serial killer accused of BRUTALLY murdering over 50 prostitutes over the last few years.
The crimes are simply gruesome - the court had to be postponed after the crown presented more evidence (forensic, photos etc) because the jury was so disturbed by it and needed a time-out. That’s how bad it is. The trial still continues.
This is one of the crimes that make people call for legalization of prostitution. Oddly enough, as much as Vancouver BC may seem like the liberal, west coast kinda place, it’s still illegal, and it’s a black-market out there.
With no tracking, no protection, the likelihood of such crimes is higher.
Did anyone put themselves in the prositutes shoes?
I know that they have usually been abused (sexually, physically, emotionally) in their development years.
I have heard one girl say that she was tired of the men abusing her and taking sex from her that she decided to take control and charge for it rather than going to a bar…having the guy follow her to her home uninvited and rape her.
These women have feelings, they are real and they cry just like you and I. I know some women who are in the “business” (and yes it is a business whether you want to admit/believe it or not) that feel by being a prositute they are taking their voices back. They make the rules. They decide all the differnt facets of the transaction. I wish it would become legal so that if the prostitute gets hurt she can go to the police and get help. Right now she is viewed as less than.
Who are YOU to decide she/he is less than? Have you been raped by your father since you were 5? Have you been told you were never going to amount to anything and you are an idiot? Yes, some people have been through this abuse and became what society views as worth something but These are just a few of the examples I have heard from prostitutes. Some of these women are really hurt and feel they are doing the only thing they think they can.
Some women are working their way through college. Some are saving their money and are looking for a home to buy (maybe next to you
and you will never know what they do….A lot of these people do not look any different than you and I. I agree with the person who said that - is it bad to be a mother and work one day a week and see her/his child the rest of the week? I honestly think some people are jealous of the prositutes. I think they know no one would EVER pay them a dime for anything. I could be totally off base with that one but I do not think so.
There is a chain of decency in the sex industry.
Model, bikini dancer, topless dancer, nude dancer,nude model, pornos, then prostitute (the lowest on the totem pole). Each one thinks the next one is lower than them. Just like some people in “normal” jobs look down on all sex workers. Who are we to judge. You stand behind your religion but aren’t we all suppose to love one another. Your religion states if you do this and that THEN we will accept you. How is that right?
Please realize that these are real people and they are in real danger. You may think oh well they chose it they deserve whatever happens to them but RR is right….this could be your daughter or wife….Honestly, you never know…It is really amazing.
Your husband may be going to one of these professionals. Wouldn’t you want the girls checked out on a regular basis. These professions exist because of men….maybe your man…..think about it….you cannot possibly know where your spouse is at all times…what about when they go on business trips?
If you take away only one thing from what I have said please let it be that you will try to think of these people as human with a heart.
I do know people who are the victims of rape and incest, and these people rose above such tragedy and became doctors, lawyers and engineers. While some people justify how they make a dime with the horrors of their past, others brush off the dirt and decide that they won’t sell their sole. Kid yourself all you want that waorking at a strip club to pay for school is ok, but I respect that person who choose to make less money, take on several part-time jobs and keep their dignity.
[…] Ask Dan and Jennifer - Now, this blog is quite unique and different from the ones listed above. It has nothing to do with technology, blogging, money making, finances, etc. This fine couple from the Souther country are one of the most open-minded, realistic, intelligent people I’ve seen. They discuss relationships, marriage, sex, divorce, personal and spiritual growth, etc. In this tough world we all need some soothing things to read about the warmer, non-logical side of life, that does not revolve around binary figures switching back and forth (and if you don’t get that punch line, you’re not as nerdy as I am). Grab a hot tea or a coffee and read up on their stuff. […]
Not only should prostitution be legal but so should polygamy and polyandry.
In ancient times there were Temple prostitutes and polygamy. The ancients saw it as a way for all to be happy sexually. Not everyone who is married has sexual bliss, some people have a higher libido than others. In some households one or another of the marriage may be ill or injured or otherwise unable to participate in sex. Should they break up if they are otherwise compatible? Some people are not very personable, or are unattractive, should they, then, also suffer the strain of sexual frustration?
The banning of prostitution was initiated by sanctimonious people lacking foresight, who could/not/cannot read the archaic languages of the bible, and read mistranslated, misinterpreted versions. Neither Jesus, God, nor the prophets ever said word-one against polygamy, the idea of banning it came from misguided men and women. The world has to learn to stop listening or shut-up envious, people who lack empathy and common sense.
We have to get the Organized Religions and the government out of the bedrooms.
As far as St. Paul is concerned, he was a human being, not a God. He made a good many errors. Paul however, never banned polygamy, a 9th century rabbi wrote what his people, misguided as they were, thought was a definitive paper on monogamy and he was incorrect. Some misguided members of Christianity who were celibate, Eunuchs, picked up on it and they too decided that everyone should be as miserable as they were.
As far as looking down upon prostitutes, how judgmental and sanctimonious is that?
The point of view that most prostitutes were abused is nonsense. Today most people who are single and a good many who are married (of both sexes), practice serial polygamy-sex with one person after another-that is called dating. Some people have a greater love for baseball, or for chocolate, or for sex than others should we ban those things? Libidos differ just as do height, or weight, or IQ. Because mine is 173 should I be banned because it occurs in only 1/4 of one percent of the population?
People just cannot do something that St. Paul made very clear: If you are not very bright, listen to those who are and keep quiet, if you don’t you will make a fool of yourself publicly. He also said: Mind your own business.
Life is simple, do unto others as you would have them do unto you and mind your own business and keep the government and the church and your nose out of other people’s bedrooms.
Good Day and God Bless.
Karen, the problem is that people don’t work or choose their profession based on what you or someone else might think of them. People do what they have to do to get by. I again have as much respect for the woman who might work at a strip club, or even is a prostitute so that she’s able to work less hours and spend more time with her children and raise them herself. What about the girl that needs that money to pay for college? Yes, maybe she could really buckle down and save for 5 or so years prior to going to school, but why, when she can do it now working as a stripper (your example)?
I’m not saying that’s even the norm for prostitutes or strippers, but it happens and they should have that option without fear of being abused on the street.
What I’m finding interesting is that there is very little objection to the topic of legalizing prostitution. People mostly seem to be for the idea. Even the people who are against it haven’t brought up any real argument.
If prostitution were a respected profession a) it would have a different name, such as ‘courtesan’ ‘haetera’, ‘temple virgin’, all historical usages - and b) women who excelled would be courted, admired, reported on with the same excitement now applied to ’stars’. In fact, movie stars now fill much of the social role previously filled by famous ‘women of the evening’ in historical Paris, Rome, Vienna, etc. I’m all in favor of more & better sex, and professionals would do us all a favor by increasing general competence and experience. Just remember, it only counts if you would be proud your little girl was selected to attend a famous bordello school in the Ivy League.
I agree with the one that said marrage is just leagel prostution in most cases. I have been married and just felt like a pay check for her to live better and got a little now and then. I have a few play mates I support now and then,they have a good time as I. they are perfectly normal people. They want to have the pleasure and not have to answer to one person.You pay for it one way or another baby. I is ahell of alot cheaper than a wife and I don’t have to appease them 24/7. You think dinner, movie or concert isn’t paying for it? Guess again! I have nown a few in 30 years and they were all pretty normal people. THe only reason it is a law to give women the power, think things wouldn’t be different if it was leagel, women would have to change there attitude. The only problem I have with it is someone being forced or pimped, as long as they are on there own it is no one elses business!!!! Iam not talking about back alley ladies, college girls and every day people. No sleaze.
Well, since the majority of our federal leaders spend most of their time and legislative efforts selling their asses to major corporations, foreign oil interests, various special lobby groups and the military-industrial complex, isn’t it more than a little hypocritical for them to turn around and make laws against average citizens prostituting themselves for a little physical ecstasy? I mean, after all, there are whores, and then there are whores, and the most prolific of them all ply their trade on Capitol Hill, at the expense of the citizenry, and chiefly for their own benefit.
Decriminalize under OSHA regulations & Labor Laws.
Legislate security under HATE Laws.
AARP for retired senior hookers.
Remove all corruption from within.
Being illegal allows brute corruption to flourish without oversight.
xxx
As my answer is yes to legalize prostition. The reason it should be is maybe we can then have better control over the diseases that come from prostitution and it could also be taxed instead of them making a total profit without having to pay taxex like all the hard working people. In Germany it is legal and the girls have to carry medical cards and be tested every six months. We could do the same thing.
I deserve to be safe. I deserve labor laws enforced in my workplace. I am your neighbor, your cousin, your aunt, your daughter, your mother, your grandmother. Yeah that’s right I am a grandmother. I have the right to choose who I have sex with and for whatever reason I want. Whether I barter for a new house, a car, or $300 it is not your concern. I am not a criminal. I choose to commit acts of civil disobedience until these bad laws are changed. It is time we decriminalize prostitution so that people like me can come out of the closet and fight for our human rights. We will never end the stigma and discrimination until you know who we are. We will never end the violence against sex workers as long as we are criminalized. It is time to end the prohibition against my work. My name is Robyn Few and I am a sex worker.
www.swop-usa.org
i would say that a large number of the people who took this poll never experienced real prostitution and relate it to the glamorized depiction of it on television. prostitution for the most part supports very negative lifestyles such as drug use and other debilitating mental illnesses that center around unresolved sexual issues. it also supports violence, a poor community image, and other unforeseen problems. it provides a place for women to fall below the set bar of societal standards and a place where sexually transmitted diseases can thrive. the government is like a mother and father. they are the one whose shoulders the burden of making the law making decisions for the people “their children” rests on. so for this reason they have deemed good ole prostitution no good and made it illegal like it should be.
I am quite taken with this conversation. All of the classic arguments are being thrown back and forth — it is like the end times fought between the forces of sexual purity and the wicked hedonists. Like all other ‘morality’ issues - i.e. abortion, gay marriage, divorce rates, teen pregancy, etc. - there is no black and white answer to this question.
Our country constantly struggles with and is unable to reconcile its very ‘PUBLIC’ morality with its kinky private morality. Statistically, the red states have much higher divorce / abortion / teen pregancy rates than the supposedly godless blue states — so it is obvious that what people say as opposed to what the do are two very different things. It is the same with prostitution.
Can any of you imagine the day when a local, state, or federal candidate will stand on TV and announce that they are in favor of legalizing the sex trade? The public morality of the city, state or even the country would be outraged. Imagine the same with legalization of drug use or gay marriage.
So while I agree with the majority, I feel that it will be a very long time in coming — I am afraid the fool brave enough to even mention this topic in their platform is most likely not running for office this season.
Cheers
Morality aside — if it’s not moral, none of the moral people will do it — it seems a great way to generate money for the government. Our govenment is not always moral. Ah, but AIDS (HIV). Oh, well, too bad, the goverment doesn’t control the propogation of fatal diseases. What’s that I remember — it’s not love which is forever, it’s Herpes. Yea, well, intimate contact should be between the married. It keeps the diseases down; it keeps the immorality down — as in killing the bum for using your sweetheart who just didn’t know any better. Hey, I’m not Dan and Jennifer. Who are they?
Josh,
You make excellent points and have a very well structured argument, however you’re forgetting your conclusion. Your conclusion from all of the arguments you’ve made should be -
“These reasons are why prostitution should be legalized and regulated, so that these societal problems can be minimized, thank you”
Without that conclusion or one similar, your argument makes no sense. All of the problems you cited are all because the sex trade is illegal and on the street. Take it off the street and regulate brothels, tests, locations, etc. and the problems you claim are the reasons to keep it illegal mostly go away.
I agree we need more prostitution. I mean, yeah some people might say “It’s exciting to go, because it’s illegal”, and the thrill of breaking the law, but after a while, it makes people wonder, why go there.
I say legalize it, since the ones who buy porn, and go into those places, 9 x 10, are the people who want to ban it.
Private consenting adult prostitution is legal in almost all the world except the U.S. with no significant negative issues.It has nothing whatsoever to do with children, or forced trafficking. When legal there is less opportunity for pimps and organized crime when there is no crime. I am only talking about private sexwork, not street hookers who are a pubic nuisance and those trying to force them on the public by decrim always fail and destory the hope of decrim of PRIVATE prostitution who respect the public enough not to be on the streets.
Private sexwork provides many benefits to a culture, a safe avenue for sexual release, exploring intimacy skills, sex for those that are disabled, not in relationships or who admit the natural human desire for sexual variety.
It modifies the biblical principals where men could have as many wives, concubines, and “common” prostitutes and it was never wrong. Men owned their wives and concubines. Adultery was a property crime and a man never committed adultery if the “other women’ was single, not owned by another man. Today men don’t own their women and women have the right to choose their own partners (not based on marriage by family deal where in biblical times the girl often age 13.5 never met her husband till the wedding day).
Today women should be able to choose sexwork as a legitimate choice without the stupid legal issues we have in the U.S. vs the rest of the world.
This is NOT about public nuisance street hookers which are illegal in almost all the world very good reasons. This is about in private consenting adults in bedrooms laws have no place in.
Dave in Phoenix
sexwork.com
libchrist.com
sexworkcanada.com
lovetouch.info
Look, prostitution is not a Julie Roberts/Richard Gere movie. Wherever it has been legalized, women’s lives have gone seriously downhill. Illegal prostitution will always follow legal prostitution around because the people who push prostitution aren’t interested in following the rules, they are interested in the cash. Even in Vegas, illegal prostitution is much bigger than legal.
Prostitution treats women like they are garbage cans for whatever a man with $50 wants to throw her way. If he wants to slap her around, so what? If he wants to urinate on her, so what? She is supposed to take it, take the $50, and give half to the pimp (legal or illegal). Is it any wonder that most prostitutes are on drugs? I challenge you to have 5 gross guys do disgusting things to you every day without being on drugs.
How charming that bunch of people can sit at their keyboards and say it is perfectly fine to buy and sell women like they are cattle. You are comfortable in the notion that you will never have to have sex with a creepy guy just so you can give your kid food, clothing, and shelter. How nice for you. When you are desperate, you don’t have many choices. When society says that being a prostitute is what you should do when you are desperate and poor, then society is just saying you are human trash and don’t matter. That is not right.
Hi Brenda.
While I understand your frustration on this matter, we are not saying that women should be ‘forced’ into prostitution. We are simply saying that it should be their choice on how to live their lives - not the governments decision…
We are not talking about slavery - selling women like cattle.
Our stance on this matter is simply that if a woman (or man for that matter) WANTS to charge money for the service they are providing, then they should be able to.
I would go a step further, and legalize polygamy. God initiated it and never revoked it. Envious men and women did that. If it were sinful thea ll the prophetss are invalidated and we have neither valid Judaism, Muslimism or Christianity.
Polygamy is an extended family and if one wife leaves the chance of a life of crime by the offpsring, to be raised by the remaining wives and father, is well directed. Children of single parent homes, espcially if the single parent is a female, are far more likely to be involved in crime and drugs. Chldren do not see their mothers as respectable when they date. You can say that is a double standard if you wish but the fact remains.
It is also interesting from a religious standpoint because in polygamous marriages there are no STD’s. But in polyandry there is.
Men and women now practice serial polygamy and polyandry, it is called dating.
Professor Emeritus P. Bagnolo
I would go a step further, and legalize polygamy. God initiated it and never revoked it. Envious men and women did that. If it were sinful then the prophets are invalidated and we have neither valid Judaism, Muslimism nor Christianity.
Polygamy is an extended family and if one wife leaves the chance of a life of crime by the offspring, to be raised by the remaining wives and father, is far less possible, because the other wives and father are there to direct them and keep them from being latchkey delinquents. Children of single parent homes, especially if the single parent is a female, are far more likely to be involved in crime and drugs. Children do not see their mothers as respectable when they date. You can say that is a double standard if you wish but the fact remains.
It is also interesting from a religious standpoint because in polygamous marriages there are no STDās. But in polyandry there is.
Multiple female sexual partners cause no harm to either party, but multiple male partners causes a variety of STDās, malignancies, penal warts, which lead to cervical cancer.
Men and women now practice serial polygamy and polyandry, it is called dating.
Marriages are in enough trouble already without partners possibly being able to go spend a few bucks legally, to have sex with someone else. One cannot compare marriage and prostitution. I’ve heard some compare the money spent in marriage by the man, is basically for sexual services rendered by the wife. Therefore the comparision to prostitution. What are you supposed to do if your with someone? Not take care of them? You live in the same house but you don’t help financially support them? That’s a weak argument and not the same thing. You have to be a loser to pay someone to have sex with you. I am not the morality police. But if people can’t see what’s wrong with it, then I feel sorry for them. I find it strange that most of the people here in favor of legalizing prostitution are men. But most of the people who were against women being promiscuous. I can see the point here. Make prostitution legal, then all drugs next.
Mike, I agree with you on one point. The marriage comparison is not really valid, however dating is very a very good comparison. A guy takes a girl out, buys a nice dinner, a movie maybe a gift and they go back to his place and have sex. Why is that different than a guy just giving a girl $200 and skipping all the drama up to the point of sex? I’ve talked to many girls that had sex with a guy, not because they really liked him or really had an attraction to him, but because he spent some much money on a date and they felt guilty.
Secondly, you say that someone has to be a loser to pay someone to have sex with them. That’s actually a very ignorant statement. Many “hobbyists” (as they’re called) are attractive successful men who just don’t want the drama of a relationship right now. Is a man who travels weeks at a time, and just doesn’t have the time for relationships, yet desires the company of women a loser? Is he actually a better person for meeting a girl out at a bar, lying to her, telling her what she wants to hear and then having a one night stand and leaving town? What is the morally superior position?
Prostitution isn’t nearly as black and white as you might guess.
Same situation, but the man is actually married. He’s in need of companionship, picks up a girl at a bar and brings home an STD, gives that to his wife. Legal prostitution is a relatively safe venue as the girls are tested regularly.
Flip the situation and say your wife is going to cheat, (don’t give me the “she’d never do that argument” this is for the sake of the argument) would you rather her carry on an emotional affair with one man or just “get her kicks” with a prostitute? (not really the same thing cause there aren’t really a lot of legal male brothel requests, but I hope it gives you a different view point).
I hope you can see that prostitution isn’t really what you’ve got it in your head to be. That’s because you think of the street prostitutes, which is a problem. That’s why it needs to be legal.
I’m still waiting for anyone to answer this question. Why is sex the only thing that’s legal to do, but not buy?
Replying to why prostitution should be legalized: A man lives with a wife (and visa versa) who because of health, injury, illness, or personal reasons, she cannot/will not gives him sex. He is supposed to suffer the rest of his life and have a miserable disposition?
What about unattractive men, or very elderly men who are still potent, are they supposed to suffer also because of their age or looks?
How uncharitable is that? I suggest reading John 4: 4-42, for Jesus take on The Samaritan Woman at Jacobās Well, who was living out of wedlock with a man and had had 5 husbands, besides. Jesus says nothing more to her after telling her sexual history, about her lifestyle, he merely begins to discuss the difference between the way and where in which Jews and Samaritans worship. She, the obviously promiscuous female, is the catalyst for Jesus success in her town becoming, as it were, his publicist, bringing the entire town to awareness of his Messiahship. He never even tells her to go and sin no more, he comprehends the mitigating circumstances involved.
The Big money people in America whose desire it is to place emphasis on a triviality, have confused people so they will focus on sexual behavior instead of Avarice, which God, the Prophets and Jesus, saw as a minor thing, especially with any mitigating factors, while Avarice/Greed is the root of all evils, like wars, stealing oil and destroying nations.
Outlawing Prostitution is hypocritical. Only fools and those with the IQ of a toad, and the heart of a Barracuda, support harassing people who are in need of loving.
Mercy and Charity are the cause of allowing people peace, love and contentment to carry on their lives.
I don’t think my comment was out of line or ignorant. Anyone can find someone to have sex with. They don’t have to be in a relationship or act in a deceptive manner towards another person either. There are plenty of people do not wan’t to be in a relationship, but are looking for sexual companionship. The girls you referred to have problems. They did not have to have sex with those men. You are not obligated to have sex with someone because they spent money on you. It shows the morals they have. They should have seen what the man’s intentions were. If he was actually interested or just wanted sex. If they didn’t wan’t to but knew he expected it in return for money spent, they should have told him how they felt up front. If my wife did have an affair I’d rather have it be one with one guy and not a prostitute. At least I’d know that one guy hasn’t slept with hundreds of women. Besides that there’s a better chance she’d slip up with joe average. That way there’s a real good chance I find out and show her the door quickly. Most people who use the services of prostitutes are not businessmen. They are joe averages who just wan’t to have easy accessible sex with women who are not their wives.
It is not ok to treat other human beings like objects that exist solely for your sexual satisfaction. Very very FEW people CHOOSE prostitution. With rare exceptions, it is something that desperate women do. So do we make our laws for the hundreds of thousands of women who are victims or for the 10 sexually obsessed women with blogs who want the right to sell their body (but demand that society protect them at the same time)?
Prostitution is harmful to the prostitute. You can try to convince yourself that she really likes it or it’s better than working at KMart or whatever ridiculous justification you come up with. But it is psychologically (and physically) damaging to real women.
Prostitutes are people. Real human beings. They do not enjoy giving 4 or 5 guys a blow job every day. If you think they do enjoy it, you are kidding yourself. They do it for the money.
Once you convince me that they have other options for the money, AND they have a path out of prostitution, then you MIGHT convince me that it is a CHOICE. Until then, you are just an apologist for the serious and horrific abuse of women in the name of free love and being “sex positive” — and that is NOT ok.
Francis, first of all, treating people like they exist soley for sexual satisfaction has been going on for generations. What do you think a one night stand is? How about actors in adult films? Loveless marriages? Many swinging encounters? All of these situations are soley for sex. Why do you seperate prostitution from the rest of these acts?
The other odd part of your statement is you say:
“So do we make our laws for the hundreds of thousands of women who are victims or for the 10 sexually obsessed women with blogs who want the right to sell their body (but demand that society protect them at the same time)?”
Don’t you realize that the reason prostitutes are victims and are abused is because they’re not protected or regulated. If they had the protection of a legal brothel, govt mandated testing and simply the idea that they’re not in the shadows anymore and can report crimes against them, there would be many many fewer victims.
Why won’t anyone answer the question why sex is the only thing that’s legal to do, but not purchase? Please give me a valid answer to this one.
Also, as stated before, if you had a daughter and for whatever reason she chose prostitution, would you rather her be on the streets of Chicago, or in a legal brother in Nevada? And before you start saying your daughter would never do that, remember that every prostitute is someones daughter.
These women aren’t society’s outcasts. Some are professional employed women that choose to make some extra money. I know one woman who’s a nurse M-F and a call girl on the weekend. I know her from her nurse position, and she felt comfortable enought to tell me what her side job was.
What you need to realize is you promote violence against women by opposing the protection that’s given by making it legal.
You can’t deny a job because it’s not something they enjoy. Do you think people enjoy being garbage men? Do you think it might have something to do with the money? How about people that clean up after crime scenes? Do they like to clean up blood, vomit etc, or do you think they do it for the money? Should that be illegal because it’s driven by money? I could give you a hundred jobs that people do soley for the money and feel degraded by their jobs. That’s not a reason to make a job against the law.
That hippie 60’s liberalism thinking here, is why the world is in the shape it is today.
Mike, well that generalized statement without any reasoning behind it is a symptom of how our society has lost all critical thinking skills and just repeats what others have told them. If you have an actual comment to make based on any fact, perceived facts or even thoughts, please feel free to include yourself in the debate. However your most recent comment is of no help to anyone.
OK All… Just an ego check…
This is not directed to any on person, but I would like to remind everyone to please keep your comments constructive and avoid any personal attacks. We’re talking about legalizing prostitution, not each other.
Prostitution should not be legalized. I dont personally have a problem with it. However if you legalize anything like this it will become a major immoral situation. I dont want my daughter to approach me or say to men in years to come “shcool and work is too hard! I think I will just become a prostitute instead.” As a mom I would say “no its not something that you want to do sweety! It hurts you in the long run.” But she yells “I can make ALOT of money!” and then she says “I’m eighteen, I can do whatever I want! Besides its LEGAL so what is the problem? YOu can’t stop me.”
What kind of message are we giving to our young women? THat sex and money is okay and working hard to achieve something is not that important? If it is legalized you can expect many women to prostitute on the weekends as a part time job.