Prostitution

Akuma · Feb 6, 2009

It has been around for ages, and yet is still looked down upon in several cultures.

While I know the downsides of having it, I also know the downsides of prohibiting it. If it's prohibited, it will still exist but it will be illegal and that tends to put the women in danger more as they are scared to seek help as they are already breaking the law.

What's your stance on it, and if I remember correctly, it was not looked down upon in ancient Greece, right?

The Parakeet · Feb 6, 2009

I think it was tolerated in Greece and fairly prominent in Rome later on. Ancient cultures weren't ever against it too much.

This falls back into the what's the harm area. Penn and Teller covered this beautifully at one point. They just visited one of the legal brothels that exist in Nevada and showed how well it worked. There had never been an STD outbreak due to regulation. There had never been a serious issue of violence on either end. Everything was under control and it worked like clockwork.

There's no real benefit to outlawing it. It just creates a dangerous criminal element and gives criminals another means of income. The only reason for outlawing it would be for puritan religious reasons.

I remember reading on Cracked.com about a list of the coolest brothels in the world. One of the ones on the list was a 30-something story hotel that was just a huge brothel. They regulated the prostitutes by having them pay rent on their apartment their. Taxation was also a breeze since it was so centralized. They even made it that people could just pick a floor that catered to their niche. So it was even well organized. Did I mention that it was just in the middle of the city? Just a big building. It just shows that it can easily be done without corrupting the city.

Akuma · Feb 7, 2009

Yeah, I mean if pornography is allowed then what's the harm in prostitution as long as it's regulated so that both parties are safe..

And while some may argue that prostitution is selling the body in a wrong matter, once again, isn't that pornography as well? Which is legal, assuming the adult is 18+. I'm honestly surprised the government hasn't taken action about this a long time ago as it's just in their best interest since it would produce a good amount of income for them probably.

The Parakeet · Feb 7, 2009

That's really the funny thing. If you just taped your time with a prostitute, you might be able to claim that it was no different than a pornography shoot.

Such an arbitrary distinction based on puritan values.

Sited · Feb 8, 2009

If prostitutes ever need help, they don't deserve it because they decided to break the law and sell themselves for some money, and with money, there's always a bad side to something. I mean it was their decision to do something that was illegal, why should they ever get medical attention? Prostitution is just wrong, you can probably make more money by working at McDonald's which hires almost anyone.

The Parakeet · Feb 8, 2009

Please tell me that was sarcasm

They're just trying to earn a living. No one has a right to judge them.

Akuma · Feb 8, 2009

I'm not going to comment on the morality behind it as that's your personal perspective, but surely you were joking about the wage comment?

They make a lot more than what an employee at McDonalds does, and the reason why people turn for illegal income is because it seems to pay off a lot better than what they can legally get as usually those people have poor education and all they can get are low paying jobs that are rarely suffice for an adult.

websuperstar · Feb 11, 2009

It's like anything that is accepted by the majorities yet the few that don't want it turn others agaisnt it and then it's outlawed and illegal. I look at it like if I want to engage in sex for money then I should have the right to choose to. What about the people that enjoy sex as a job? It's good for you and is the best exercise for the entire body. So I say go out and sleep with a hooker or two and really stick it to the governments and law makers!

The Parakeet · Feb 11, 2009

Well...it has to do a lot more with the puritan majority not wanting it. Anytime the "Protect the Children" movement gets riled up, you have a fight on your hands.

Delta · Mar 16, 2009

Akuma said:
It has been around for ages, and yet is still looked down upon in several cultures.

While I know the downsides of having it, I also know the downsides of prohibiting it. If it's prohibited, it will still exist but it will be illegal and that tends to put the women in danger more as they are scared to seek help as they are already breaking the law.

What's your stance on it, and if I remember correctly, it was not looked down upon in ancient Greece, right?

Prostitutes in ancient greece were mostly women and for that alone they were marginalized. However, some actually became quite rich through their "jobs". Many however, were just common people and probably quite poor. Today, I think it more the religious aspect where the religious frown upon extramarital sex and this extends into our societal norms.

It would be much safer for women if it was regulated such as in Amsterdam. It keeps it clean and safe.

BrightMind · Mar 16, 2009

I'm an old-fashioned type of girl. I think sex is something that should be kept sacred, and shared between a husband and wife. My opinions are religiously based, so I won't delve as to not cause any debate (I won't argue with anyone). But, prostitution is immorally wrong, at least that's how I feel about it.

Sparks · Mar 21, 2009

Oh Good Gosh!

I will sail against the wind here and say I admire them. Hey, it may not be the best career choice, but it's better than begging or robbing. Yes, I understand that so-called Christians (and many other religions) look down on prostitution.

But in some cultures there is not such a negative social aspect to prostitution. In Thailand, if a woman saves her money (often seen as gold jewelry) from her time as a prostitute, buys a home, starts a business and slips into middle age or older with a good economic base, they don't go around pointing at her and whispering about her "youthful mistake".

And I don't know what you think they make in McDonalds, but a good hooker will make more in an hour than eight good hours of so-called honest work under the golden arches.

Now don't get me wrong, I like McDonalds too. Here in the Philippines, McDonalds is one of the few places where they will hire women under five feet tall. Yeah, they have some odd rules here.

justme · Mar 22, 2009

I do not agree with the prosecution of prostitutes. Making it illegal is not going to help the situation at all. It is much better if it can happen in the open and a safer environment than currently occurs.

I do however thing we need to look at the route causes of why women (and men) turn to prostitution and creating other opportunities for the marginalised people in society.

MeganM · Mar 22, 2009

justme said:
I do not agree with the prosecution of prostitutes. Making it illegal is not going to help the situation at all. It is much better if it can happen in the open and a safer environment than currently occurs.

I do however thing we need to look at the route causes of why women (and men) turn to prostitution and creating other opportunities for the marginalised people in society.

I think we also need to stop considering prostitution as solely an oppressive occupation. The trade in children is absolutely wrong and appalling, but if a person is of majority and wants to make a living by having sex, I think it's terribly prudish to say it's a crime and they can't. After all, in a capitalist society, you can make a living by selling just about anything else! It's just an another attempt by social conservatives to deny that adults have sex, in my opinion.

What we need to do is legalize and then regulate the trade. Make sure prostitutes sign consent forms, get examined, have a safe and clean environment for the business, etc., and make sure that clients are prosecutable if they harm their providers. It might not be as perversely thrilling as a quickie in a dark alley, but it'd be a lot safer for all involved.

Delta · Mar 22, 2009

MeganM said:
It might not be as perversely thrilling as a quickie in a dark alley

Hahah - that sentence is gold. Anyway, this opens up a whole new set of possibilities! Rooms that look like dark alley's! Spectator rooms! All the rooms you could ever want to have sex in! Think of the money to be made - taxable money!

The Parakeet · Mar 22, 2009

You should see some of the niches that happen in foreign countries that have it around. I remember an article from cracked.com that talked about them. One that I remember was a Czech brothel that let you do whatever you wanted for free, you just had to let them stream it to the subscribers on their website.

GekiDan · Mar 23, 2009

BrightMind said:
I'm an old-fashioned type of girl. I think sex is something that should be kept sacred, and shared between a husband and wife. My opinions are religiously based, so I won't delve as to not cause any debate (I won't argue with anyone). But, prostitution is immorally wrong, at least that's how I feel about it.

I feel the same too... In fact, there are many news here that the police have raided an number of places that they considered the nest of prostitution. Some establishments are working secretly. One I can remember is that their front is a massage center then they have individual rooms in which the massager will ask you about "extra service" for an "extra fee."

Since Philippines is a Christian country, Church leaders always condemned those kinds of acts. They are repeatedly saying that "sex is a sacred thing" and "you need to have love" before engaging. Another one is "marrige before sex."

alexmike · May 23, 2010

It might be around for a very long time but the matter of the fact is that it is a disgraceful act. I guess it is a matter of one's opinion. there might be those who might think it is alright but most people think it is immoral.

Gunny · Aug 29, 2010

Prostitution should be legal as they do in Nevada. Have a safe facility to work in and hae regular medical check-ups for the women.

Schmidt · Feb 23, 2012

i love me some prostitutes

Prostitution

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