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[Admiral Bone to Pick]

People have been doing it for thousands of years. Our society is no less sex-crazed than the Greeks or the Romans or the Egyptians. And considering how much of a money slut most people already are, prostitution is no big deal.

 

[Neo C.]

Should be legal. Even modern feminists agree.

Spoiler

Older generation feminists don't agree, see Alice Schwarzer.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

It may be a conservative view, but nobody should need to sell his or (mostly) her body in such a way. I don't believe that prostitues and porn "actors" are 24/7 horny and could explain it with the insatiable lust for sex..

 

[Orayn]

I think so, yes. The illicit state of the profession tramples on peoples' rights in a number of different ways, and legalizing and regulating "vices" is generally a better approach than throwing people in jail for them.

 

[Gaborn]

Somebody mind educating me on the difference of prostitution and street walking? I thought they were the same thing.

Brothels are a controlled environment, a regular place of business where the workers are employed by someone who got a business permit and is essentially "official" and legal. A street walker is some person on a corner slinging it waiting for all comers. There is a much greater opportunity for risk, for disease, for abuse for a street walker because they're not in a controlled environment. Anyone can approach a street walker (regardless of the quality of their interaction or the duration) but a brothel offers the protections of the business and whatever local regulations for screening and for safety of the sex workers. Brothels are also easier to protect for the police because they're an established business. I wouldn't throw a street walker in jail but I would fine them and discourage it.

 

[DasRaven]

To quote the late great George Carlin:

"I don't understand why prostitution is illegal. Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. Why isn't selling fucking legal?"

and to extend:

"Why should it be illegal to sell something that's perfectly legal to give away."

 

[Evlar]

"Why should it be illegal to sell something that's perfectly legal to give away."

Ummm... This isn't a great argument. It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade. For example, selling organs is illegal, and should remain so, though of course organ donation is perfectly legal. Selling children (for adoption) is illegal, though voluntary free adoption is legal and should remain so.

 

[Figboy79]

I think yes, because then you can institute safety and health laws, as well as get another form of taxable revenue for the country.

You also won't have so many underage girls being caught up in the lifestyle of prostitution.

Make it a true profession, and you can eliminate pimps, who are more often than not the cause for a lot of the abuse prostitutes undergo on a regular basis.

Hell, I think you could even open up more job opportunities for people that can be hired to protect the workers from crazies that may wish to do them harm.

I'm all for exploring any kind of safe avenue to help generate revenue in this country, and as we all know, "sex sells." Why not make it a legitimate profession, with licenses and standards and practices?

 

[Pizza Luigi]

It is boring when it is.

I live pretty much next to Amsterdam and stroll through the red light district quite often, for it is often a shortcut to some place. I don't even look anymore. Sometimes a mere glance to my right and that's it. There are some cute girls there but not a hair on my head that has ever thought of going in there and actually paying for sex.

 

[Orayn]

Ummm... This isn't a great argument. It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade. For example, selling organs is illegal, and should remain so, though of course organ donation is perfectly legal. Selling children (for adoption) is illegal, though voluntary free adoption is legal and should remain so.

To be fair, some libertarians also think that selling organs is something that should be legal as well. Selling a person is not the same issue.

 

[Mystic Theurge]

Ummm... This isn't a great argument. It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade. For example, selling organs is illegal, and should remain so, though of course organ donation is perfectly legal. Selling children (for adoption) is illegal, though voluntary free adoption is legal and should remain so.

Why should organ selling be illegal? If an adult wants to sell their organs, they should be able to.

 

[Zzoram]

Why should organ selling be illegal? If an adult wants to sell their organs, they should be able to.

In all these cases, it just results in the rich exploiting the poor. Poor women as sex slaves, poor men as organ farms. The rich benefit disproportionately while the poor temporarily get less poor but have to pay a heavy price for it.

Donating organs often decreases quality of life and increases the risk of many medical problems. I'm sure that the $10,000 some guy gets for his kidney won't end up being worth more than the harm it does to his health.

Similarly, I'm sure the $100 a woman gets for sex won't be worth the mental health damage it causes to her self esteem and ability to form relationships with men, and it's income that will cease to exist once she passes her prime, leaving her with no career skills and likely no husband either.

 

[Veidt]

take a girl for a one night stand = legal.
pay a woman for her services = illegal.

But then again, I'm Dutch. So you can safely ignore this post.

 

[mike23]

Ummm... This isn't a great argument. It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade. For example, selling organs is illegal, and should remain so, though of course organ donation is perfectly legal. Selling children (for adoption) is illegal, though voluntary free adoption is legal and should remain so.

Should have a topic on that. Personally, I'd be all for a system that allows kidneys to be sold and it'd be relatively easy to made safe and fair. Possibly partial liver donations too.

- A kidney has a set value.
- A kidney must be donated by the donator in the hospital. No loose organs.
- The donator places their name on a list and waits to be called. They can always back out.
- Time of death donations are not payed for.

Basically, keep two lists. 1 for people who cannot buy an organ. 1 for people who can afford it.

This will allow people to make some money if they need it. Move some money from the rich to the poor.

The rich filter off the donation wait list, effectively shortening said list.
People are more motivated to donate a kidney, total supply of kidneys goes up.

Admittedly, there is the possibility that too many people who would donate organs at death would instead sell one early, but it would be moot if we made donation the default rather than an opt in thing. And you'd still get one after death.

 

[Evlar]

Why should organ selling be illegal? If an adult wants to sell their organs, they should be able to.

I balk at the idea that a person's organs should be included among their liquid assets.

 

[CornBurrito]

Why should organ selling be illegal? If an adult wants to sell their organs, they should be able to.

Probably because the price of organs would skyrocket.

 

[Mystic Theurge]

In all these cases, it just results in the rich exploiting the poor. Poor women as sex slaves, poor men as organ farms. The rich benefit disproportionately while the poor temporarily get less poor but have to pay a heavy price for it.

Who cares? If they don't want to be prostitutes or sell their organs, then don't.

Donating organs often decreases quality of life and increases the risk of many medical problems. I'm sure that the $10,000 some guy gets for his kidney won't end up being worth more than the harm it does to his health.

His choice.

Similarly, I'm sure the $100 a woman gets for sex won't be worth the mental health damage it causes to her self esteem and ability to form relationships with men, and it's income that will cease to exist once she passes her prime, leaving her with no career skills and likely no husband either.

Her choice. And this view is tremendously backwards.

I balk at the idea that a person's organs should be included among their liquid assets.

Okay, balk all you want. Why should it be illegal?

Probably because the price of organs would skyrocket.

Not a justification for making something illegal.

 

[Evlar]

Okay, balk all you want. Why should it be illegal?

I've already stated it.

It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade.

You may not like the reason, you may disagree that it is necessary, but there it is.

 

[Eteric Rice]

Yes. Make them have to register with some office and get regular STD/HIV screenings.

Also probably limit it to brothels.

This.

Yeah, prostitution can be done in a clean, safe way.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Legalize it in brothels. Regulate it. Tax it. Keep it illegal to walk the streets.

For anyone still wondering about how escorts are legal, here's how an escort explained it on a radio show I was listening to. The money you pay is only for her time and company to go on a date or something. Anything that happens after that is between two consenting adults and has nothing to do with the money.

I think it will eventually become legal here in the states once we grow up a bit.

 

[Monocle]

Yes because then you can get some health and safety standards in place.

Exactly. Take the legal brothels in Nevada for example:

Since 1986, when mandatory testing began, not a single full-time brothel prostitute has tested positive for HIV, although earlier tests required seven days to obtain the test results for new prostitutes, with a few eventually not being hired full-time after positive HIV test results were obtained. The mandatory condom law was passed in 1988. A study conducted in 1995 in two brothels found that condom use in the brothels was consistent and sexually transmitted diseases were accordingly absent. The study also found that few of the prostitutes used condoms in their private lives.

 

[Mystic Theurge]

I've already stated it.You may not like the reason, you may disagree that it is necessary, but there it is.

Harm the people involved? The would choose to be organ sellers, so that doesn't count.

Harm society? I don't see it.

 

[ATF487]

It's a bit complicated. Pimps wouldn't just enroll in a business class if prostitution was legalized, but I do think it should be legalized for the sake of the women's health. Also, y'know, tax revenue.

On a moral level I find the whole thing to be pretty disgusting but I can't let that get in the way

 

[Hari Seldon]

Ummm... This isn't a great argument. It should be illegal if the existence of the market distorts incentives in a way that ultimately harms society and/or the people involved in the trade. For example, selling organs is illegal, and should remain so, though of course organ donation is perfectly legal. Selling children (for adoption) is illegal, though voluntary free adoption is legal and should remain so.

George Carlin's one liners use 3rd grade logic, however people still quote them as if they were ancient Greek wisdom.

 

[Acerac]

I have the same outlook here that I have on most drugs.

Legalized and highly regulated. The entire process is safer for everyone that way.

 

[dacuk]

I agree that making prostitution legal would almost be like turning the poor into sex slaves. If prostitution is the easiest way for poor women to make good money, it could become the career of choice, resulting in poor women just being sex slaves to rich men.

It si legal on my country; most of the prostitutes here are foreign, though.

 

[SHAZOOM]

I agree that making prostitution legal would almost be like turning the poor into sex slaves. If prostitution is the easiest way for poor women to make good money, it could become the career of choice, resulting in poor women just being sex slaves to rich men.

The thing is, this situation is already happening. The only difference is legalization would enforce health standards.

Its a lesser of 2 evils kind of situation.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

The thing is, this situation is already happening. The only difference is legalization would enforce health standards.

Doesn't seem too healthy in Nevada...

Weekly STD checks for the women and the male clients don't have to do any?

 

[Gvaz]

It should be legal but enforce STD checks once a month and disallow street hookers.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

It should be legal but enforce STD checks once a month and disallow street hookers.

once a month? lol

 

[Kinyou]

Paying for sex isnt at all. Its common to be ridiculed for it actually.

Depends on the society. It was quite normal to do in the ancient rome for example

 

[Gvaz]

once a month? lol

Ideally it would be "sign up for a chick's service on x date, after we clear your STD check.

 

[Rentahamster]

I think it's funny how the USA has the worlds biggest porn industry but usually is very conservative when it's about sex

Indeed.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Business/story?id=6977202&page=1

 

[GloveSlap]

Yes. Prostitution, gambling, and pot should all be legal. Even if the legalization of any of those things could have negative consequences, I think it would be a small price to pay in the name of liberty IMO.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Yes. But regulate that shit.

I'm okay with Bunny Ranches. I'm not okay with drugged-out hookers on street corners giving everything to a pimp and never getting tested for disease.

It's not like bitches are going to jump at the opportunity to become legal whores anyway. People who will sell or pay will do it whether its legal or illegal, so you mine as well do something to make the environment safer.

 

[Count Dookkake]

It should be totally legal.


I think there is some resistance to it among people who are afraid to figure out their market value. I also think it is hated by many women, not out of loyalty to their "sisters," but because it provides a potential path for a woman of low stature to "jump the line" so-to-speak and gain access to higher class men. It feels like "cheating" to women who went to the right schools and go to the right churches.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Maybe I'm incredibly naive, but I don't think any woman or man wakes up one day and says to themselves: "You know what, I want to turn tricks. I'll make good money and maintain my dignity."

I think prostitution should be decriminalized. That is, I don't think people that are turning tricks should be arrested or criminalized. We need laws to protect them from violence and give them the ability to get consistent STD testing as to not add to those public health issues.

But at the end of the day I believe we as a society needs to address the *reason* for them deciding that they have no other value and no other choice than to sell their sex. People often assume prostitution is a victim-less crime but if you ever seen a pimp slapping the shit outta a trick at 3am in St. Louis, you'd know it's not. There are exceptions. I'm sure there are a few "party girls/masseuses" that simply don't mind for the extra cash

But there's often coercion that plays a significant role in some people getting into that lifestyle. That and drug addiction.

As a man, I personally believe it's shameful for any man to be willing to take advantage of another human being that's so obviously so down and out that they are lowering themselves to prostitution.

 

[Xyphie]

I think what two consenting adults agree to do privately is no business of the government.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D7nOh57-I8 - Really good interview with a prostitute regarding how ridiculous this stuff is here in the Nanny State of Sweden.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

Ideally it would be "sign up for a chick's service on x date, after we clear your STD check.

My point is in Nevada rthis very second women get weekly checks and clients apprently don't get them at all. I don't see how that is healthy. Monthly would be even worse.

I think clients should have std checks like you said and women should have checks 2 times a week.

 

[CornBurrito]

Not a justification for making something illegal.

By itself it isn't a justification. However, organs are generally used for a specific lifesaving purpose. If the price of organs skyrockets it basically fucks over all the poor people that need organ transplants.

 

[The Elite]

Maybe I'm incredibly naive, but I don't think any woman or man wakes up one day and says to themselves: "You know what, I want to turn tricks. I'll make good money and maintain my dignity."

I think prostitution should be decriminalized. That is, I don't think people that are turning tricks should be arrested or criminalized. We need laws to protect them from violence and give them the ability to get consistent STD testing as to not add to those public health issues.

But at the end of the day I believe we as a society needs to address the *reason* for them deciding that they have no other value and no other choice than to sell their sex. People often assume prostitution is a victim-less crime but if you ever seen a pimp slapping the shit outta a trick at 3am in St. Louis, you'd know it's not. There are exceptions. I'm sure there are a few "party girls/masseuses" that simply don't mind for the extra cash

But there's often coercion that plays a significant role in some people getting into that lifestyle. That and drug addiction.

As a man, I personally believe it's shameful for any man to be willing to take advantage of another human being that's so obviously so down and out that they are lowering themselves to prostitution.

If it was legal and women were willing to pay me for sex, I'd do it. Fuck dignity. Getting paid to fuck sounds like the greatest thing ever.

 

[Mystic Theurge]

By itself it isn't a justification. However, organs are generally used for a specific lifesaving purpose. If the price of organs skyrockets it basically fucks over all the poor people that need organ transplants.

Yes, the poor would be fucked over. But those are the breaks of living in a capitalist society.

 

[Gvaz]

Yes, the poor would be fucked over. But those are the breaks of living in a capitalist society.

Haha yes, fuck poors! - privileged white society

 

[Mammoth Jones]

If it was legal and women were willing to pay me for sex, I'd do it. Fuck dignity. Getting paid to fuck sounds like the greatest thing ever.

Until a 350 pounder walks up to you and shoves a wad of cash into your pocket as she leans up close and whispers "You're mine for the next hour, loveboy" as she licks your earlobe. And as she's there...leaning you catch a whiff of her scent. A mix of sourdough and unwashed skin with a strong musky odor.

As you begin to rethink your strategy of having sex for money she starts to disrobe and you get to see the "greatest thing ever" in all it's hideous glory.

I'm telling you man, most prostitutes aren't attracted to their clients. But rent is due in two days or they need money for their kid/drug habbit/pimp.

I know you'd say "Well, then I just wouldn't do her" but rent is due soon and now you have a pimp coming up to you kicking your ass for not bringing home that cheddar....

 

[Gvaz]

There's always pills for that I suppose.

 

[The Elite]

Until a 350 pounder walks up to you and shoves a wad of cash into your pocket as she leans up close and whispers "You're mine for the next hour, loveboy" as she licks your earlobe. And as she's there...leaning you catch a whiff of her scent. A mix of sourdough and unwashed skin with a strong musky odor.

As you begin to rethink your strategy of having sex for money she starts to disrobe and you get to see the "greatest thing ever" in all it's hideous glory.

I'm telling you man, most prostitutes aren't attracted to their clients. But rent is due in two days or they need money for their kid/drug habbit/pimp.

I know you'd say "Well, then I just wouldn't do her" but rent is due soon and now you have a pimp coming up to you kicking your ass for not bringing home that cheddar....

If it was legal, I'm sure prostitues would have more choice over their clients. My standards are low, I admit, but I still have my limits.

I like to think women would hire me for my exceptional sexual abilities. I would be paid top dollar for my services.

 

[LegendofJoe]

It's already legal in most of Europe.

In terms of social policy most of Europe is head, shoulders, torso, legs, and ankles above the U.S.

When the low birth rate over there starts causing you problems be sure to let liberal, educated America know. I for one am ready for a reverse great migration back to Europe.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Maybe I'm incredibly naive, but I don't think any woman or man wakes up one day and says to themselves: "You know what, I want to turn tricks. I'll make good money and maintain my dignity."

You are a bit naive because some do. The girls at the Bunny Ranch in Nevada claim they love it there on their show.

But at the end of the day I believe we as a society needs to address the *reason* for them deciding that they have no other value and no other choice than to sell their sex.

I think the real goal is for society at large to recognize that sexual skills have value and putting them to use in a safe and controlled environment is a legitimate career choice.

People often assume prostitution is a victim-less crime but if you ever seen a pimp slapping the shit outta a trick at 3am in St. Louis, you'd know it's not.

Pimps are terrible people and everyone who is pro-prostitution in this thread is against their existence. Legalizing and regulating prostitution would do a lot to eliminate them and their control over people.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

If it was legal, I'm sure prostitues would have more choice over their clients. My standards are low, I admit, but I still have my limits.

I like to think women would hire me for my exceptional sexual abilities. I would be paid top dollar for my services.

You're starting to go through heroin withdrawal. Your skin is on fire. Your bones and joints hurt. You've got diarrhea and you're feeling nauseated all the time. Rent is due in two days and you face the prospect of you and your child being tossed into the street. You'd do anything for a hit.

Anything.

All you have to do is get through this one woman. You don't even have to do anything. Just lay there and let her do whatever she wants to you. She's gross and hideous but it'll be enough money to pay the rent, and score some drugs. Happens all the time and what I'm saying is that it's not done in the jubilant manner you originally suggested.

 

[Gvaz]

Yeah, make it like a buisness.

oh I wish I had that site that promoted an escort service that was on, I think the east coast, and it was some dude's home and he had the most subpar women whoring for him in a 70s ranch house in what looked like bumfuck nowhere.

I was like are you for real