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by Friartuck
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Prostitution has been legalised in Victoria (state of Australia) for ages. It actually allows for regulation - specifying there brothels can and cannot operate - as well as enforcement of health standards, women to form collectives/unions/whatever for their protection, easier detection and prosecution of sex slave trading and means working girls can go to police for protection or recourse when abused - by either brothel owners or clients.
Legalising is not the same as 'approving of'.
by 23Skidoo
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
There is no good argument for making it illegal and many for legalizing. I'm only talking about prostitution where the prosti is willing. Kidnapping and slavery are obviously bad - but they are also covered by other laws.
1. An woman should have the legal right to have sex with any willing adult(s) she wishes. Under whatever mutually agreeable terms they come up with. Obviously this applies to both genders equally - but I wanted to stress the feminist bit.
2. Keeping it illegal increases the potential for exploitation and violence around the (usually) women involved. If the woman could rely on the police for protection, just like any other professional, pimps would have much less leverage to justify their strong arm "protection".
3. The entire concept of a class of activity that is criminal, though only involves willing participants is absurd. The government has no right in such personal matters.
by tripwire on February 15th, 2007
If you care about the welfare of women who chose this as their profession, yes it should be at least decriminalised, regulated and protected. Like the war on drugs, the laws on prostitution are based on Christian morality, not practicality or reality. It's the forceful imposition of a moral ideal on a society that is more diverse than the thinking allows for.
Women in Amsterdam have legal protection to ply their trade, and because of this, they can make their own money, have no need for some parasitic pimp in the equation, have health care, pay taxes and are entitled to the benefits afforded to any business. They also have complete control over who they take on.
Compare that to the U.S where the dysfunctions of morally based legislation are apparent.
Unhealthy, diseased and often drug addicted women who prowl the seedy areas of most cities, for quick sex in cars or dirty rooms. Where pimps and criminal gangs control them and force them to earn. Where they have no legal protection leaving them at the mercy of the lowest of the low. No hope of getting out of the rut other than through the escapism of drugs. Fear of arrest for all concerned. This is the fruit of America's obsession with heartless/brainless morality. The same mistakes are being made with the war on drugs because there's too much idealism and not enough pragmatism.
It's all very well to just answer, "no" because you find prostitution to be offensive and immoral, but like it or not, it's here and here to stay, and idealism has no real place in the "What do do" debate. Compassion and respect for people regardless of what they are doing is the most civilised and evolved way to go. We should be thinking of how to make life easier for the women who do this, not push them deeper into the shit, just so we can smugly gloat about how right we are in our negative judgement of them. If those who are so quick to judge and condemn could try a more compassionate approach, they might just be pleasantly surprised at the results.
by warex255
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
You know marrige is kind of like prostitution. At least the religious marrige. You save your virginity for the man and he gives you a life of support(money). So sex for money. We might as well make marrige ilegal. It's prostitution.
by Debris - the new slimline version. on March 12th, 2008
yes I think it should, after all, it is one of the oldest professions.
Men will always want to pay women for sex (and vice versa) it will never stop so at least by making it legal it will be made safer. Women wont have to solicite themselves in dark dangerous areas where they risk being raped, beaten up or even murdered. It may even lower the problem with pimps too.
by QuartzKitty
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
If you are going to argue against something, I'd at least expect that you do your research. The author of the counterpoint article, opposing legalization, clearly did not.
I especially love the where it blames legalized prostitution for the rape rate in Las Vegas. The problem with that argument is that prostitution is ILLEGAL in Vegas.
Counties in Nevada can have either gambling or prostitution, but NOT both. And Vegas chose gambling. Even then, prostitution is only allowed in counties with under 400,000 people. The city of Las Vegas alone has well over a million people, with the county nearly 2 million, so they couldn't allow prostitution even if they decided to ban gambling.
Therefore, the argument is flawed. You cannot blame legalized prostitution for rape in Vegas when prostitution is NOT EVEN LEGAL in Las Vegas. Furthermore, even if prostitution were legal, it would not prove anything. Correlation does not equal causation, as any statistician will tell you.
The author of the anti-prostitution article failed horribly at research. If they failed on that one point, a point that would have taken less than 5 minutes on Wikipedia to discover, how can we trust the rest of their arguments? It makes the entire article suspect.
I, in fact, suspect that, as is often the case here, the author knew perfectly well that their claims were wrong, but made them anyway because they did not expect someone else to take the time to check the facts and rebut them. They were wrong.
by Mark
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Stay out of consenting adults' private lives.
by pubapasta
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
No
NO! Prostitution promotes the abuse and subjugation of women. It would also help advance the moral breakdown of our society.
by LynfromNM on March 12th, 2008
Yes, it should be. Consenting adults should be able to have sexual interaction on whatever basis they wish. That said, if prostitution is legalized, certain health regulations and licensing should be rigorously enforced.
by Icarus389
on July 2nd, 2010
voted:
Yes
Having sex with a person for love or like that is allowed, but when you ask money for it, it suddenly isn't? So yes, it should be allowed.
by Firebrand on August 1st, 2007
Prostitution is not illegal it is solicitation that is the illegal act.
Legalising Brothels would seem by far the best way to go . It is safer both for the girls and the customers both health and safety wise.
by megcham on May 23rd, 2010
Legalized, sterilized and televised.
by macdjug-Paxvobiscum on March 12th, 2008
I used to live in Reno and it is legal outside the city limits. The girls are checked once a week by a Dr. and have to use condoms. I think legalizing prostitution would help protect the women from the abuse they get from their pimps. It is a business that will never end so why not make it legal and regulate it to protect all involved..
by Jane on March 12th, 2008
heck yes it should be legal...know why? Because if a man is desperate enough to pay some hot chick a ton of cash to do it she should be able to take it....heeeellllooo?
by xweerachceex on April 22nd, 2010
NO!!!!!!
i dont think they should
its bad enough having stip clubs
which i want to be banned aswell
because they are totaly demoriliesing to woman
stupid men getting there rox of to some poor girl
i dont evan no why any woman would want to have some 70 yr old man drewling over them!!!!
yuck!!!!!!!
they should all be banned if you ask me
any1 agree?????
by Penal Colony is wicked marrying Andy on March 12th, 2008
Also because everyone involved is (supposed to be) an adult who can make decisions for themselves, especially concerning where they put their junk, and if they feel like paying someone for it.
However, I will point out that prostitution could only be "safely" legalized if it was also accompanied by some sort of guidelines or regulations, possibly labor unions as well. It would be nice if the world's oldest profession could exist without the side effects of violent pimps, STDs, and women who turn to life on the street to finance drug addictions.
by Smart2 is back! Did you miss me? on August 1st, 2007
only after repeal of the other stupid-a$$ laws on the books!
by qwiz246
on July 4th, 2010
voted:
Yes
It would seem that law authorities have more pressing crimes to deal with than some ladies who cater to lonely men. Personally, I do not believe that prostitutuion should be a crime unless children are involved.
by Ric o Shea
on June 10th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Why is it illegal to charge for what can be freely dispensed? I think the benefits of legalising it would outweigh the deficits. However disturbing the idea of commercial sex may be to some of us, it's naive to believe that prostitution can ever be eliminated. The demand will be met with supply one way or another, no matter what is legislated. Turning our backs on the women (and men) who do this work may be far more immoral - even criminal - than prostitution itself. Only when we recognize and validate the work of professional prostitutes can we expect them to practice their trade safely and responsibly.
by SliverBelle&Chippers
on June 9th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Yes, because it's honest. Not morally right mind you, but if two people agree then I don't see the big deal.
by medicgirl
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
1. Where it is legal, STD rates are lower than the standard population, due to weekly testing.
2. Pimps abuse their prostitutes. These women stay because they have no where else to turn. If it was legal, they wouldn't have to use a pimp. They wouldn't be abused. They could use an agency, and keep their money to pay their own bills instead of giving it to the pimp for him giving her shelter, and food.
3. They are also murdered by Johns. If the guy had to make an appointment through an agency or go to a place (like the Bunny Ranch), people would know if she is missing or stays gone too long. It would actually prevent their murders, or reduce them. They guy would have to show ID, and pay up front, and that would be a deterrent to a would be murderer, because he knows he will be caught.
4. Consenting adults should be able to do what they want with their bodies. Abortion is legal because a woman has the right to do what she wants with her body, which ends a life, but she can't sleep with someone for money, which doesn't end a life. (please don't start an abortion debate, this is not about that)
5. People may say men will cheat, and blah blah blah. These men who use a prostitute are going to do it, legal or not, hooker, or not. At least if it is legal, the girl is tested for STDs so there is less of a chance of bringing something home. He is the one who is messing up, and the girl can always chose who she wants. She can chose not to sleep with married men.
6. It would reduce human trafficking. People sell people into prostitution all the time. If it was legal, there would be no market for this. It's like why buy this one for x amount when I can go get one legally for less? If the "black market ones", get made cheaper, it defeats the purpose. Those ass holes are in it for money, not marketing.
by Anonymous
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
No
God Help us all. It is pathetic this question has so many yes answers. It really makes me soul sick to know that so many people believe this Sin should be considered legal and okay. Truly humanity has fallen to some really low levels.
by Anonymous on June 1st, 2008
If properly regulated (with mandatory medical checks), I say yes.
by JokerWarez on August 1st, 2007
Hey, the way I see it, it is the persons choice to do whatever they please with their bodies or their minds, so let the people have their freedoms, if some choose poorly, it was their decision. That's the problem really, the government is looking out for all the stupid ones.
by Nemo_S
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
I personally don't think that any form of sex should be criminalized except assaults or any other form that compromises the safety and security of the person on either side I also can't see paying for it myself but in this economically depressed era I guess you either sell your body for good money or sell your soul to the churches after all one form of slavery is just as distasteful as another to me and IF you have to be enslaved guess it's best to be enslaved to yourself and keep all the profits ...
~Nemo~
by kelseykels
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
The reason so many women are subjugated and abuse is because prostitution is illegal, it is underground there is no way to regulate it. If it were legal you can regulate it with authorities and stop the abuse.
It would allow women who don't want to do it get out of it, they can't do that now because it is an illegal activity and the pimps will kill them. If it were legal, the authorities can have more control. Legalizing it will stop most forced prostitution, prostitution by minors.
by Ra24_7_365 on July 6th, 2010
I cast no vote on this one. If a married person has to go have sex with a prostitute they need to go see a marriage counselor instead. If you are single and do not have a girlfriend try going out to the bar or try a dating service not a prostitute who more than likely has had half the county in her.
by makeithot
on July 5th, 2010
voted:
No
first of all this is not the only opotion young ladies have to make a income. there are plenty of jobs out there that do nto include the selling of ones body. STD's are bad enough now, now imagine if we couold legallyh pass thme around. get your heads on staright. sex isnt something that should be sold and made money off of, it is something to be shared with your spouse..not the world!
by lareth
on July 4th, 2010
voted:
Yes
In my country, selling yourself for money is legal, but selling someone else for money (baing a pimp etc.) is not. An adult can make his/her own choises, and then take responsibility of his/her actions him/herself.
That is a good way I think. I have never screwed a prostitute, as I like my sex being consentual in a way, that both like each other. I look alright, I*m sensible and intelligent, and thus I can find myself a woman. But what about those men or women who are less intelligent, less attractive, but still have needs?
Prostitution is good for people, done in a good manner, between two concending adults.
The only argument against it in my opionion is, when women who become prostitutes have a violent, or somehow distrubing past, which I'm sure some of them have, but have a prostitute see a shrink before she begins her career, and that should eliminate some of the hurt and wounded women. And if soemone wants to be a prostitute, and someone wants to see a prostitute, they will find ways of doing it.
And what is ultimately wrong with wanting to have sex? Absolutely nothing. Sex makes people happy :) Sex is a nice thing, not an evil rape of the human soul. Ther are violent rapists out there, but to make assumptions that everyone using a prostitute want to beat them up is just absurd.
by ccrunch171
on June 9th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Governments are running deficits and need $$$. Legalize and tax it. Remember when gambling was SO evil ..........UNTIL the government legalized and taxed it???
by adamjohn
on April 26th, 2010
voted:
Yes
In my opinion, yes. It would give prostitutes a safe place to work.
by 4down2
on December 14th, 2009
voted:
Yes
Who should be lonely ????
by NoMorph on June 1st, 2008
Well, I don't think it's right for it to be illegal, regardless of the obvious morality issue. It should be regulated, taxed, etc, though.
by We miss our girl! on March 12th, 2008
I don't see why not. It could make conditions much better for those already working that profession, and safer for those who choose to patronize the businesses.
by ...... on October 25th, 2007
no not at all.
by tiberseptim on September 18th, 2007
Magic 8-Ball says "Without A Doubt".
In the words of George Carlin, "Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. Why isn't 'selling fucking' legal?"
by Katie on February 14th, 2007
No. Prostitution allows for the spreading of too many STD's...including HIV. Yeah, sure. Insist that they wear a condom... that isn't 100% fool proof. Do you want to chance it??
**I think there is some legal brothels around the states such as areas in Neveda near Las Vegas.
by thatsJustme
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
i mean NO! only if they can be made to pay taxes too......
by zyrblue
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Yes... after all if you really think about it marriage started out pretty much as a form of legalized prostitution and in many countries it still is.
That thought aside it once again comes down to a matter of personal freedom and of acting in a responsible way to meet the needs of the masses while insuring the safety of all.
Sexual morality is a personal matter and within the context of "if it harms none", no one should be able to dictate to or legislate upon another what is right or wrong for them.
by xxSimone
on July 7th, 2010
voted:
Yes
In the Netherlands, where I live, prostitution is legal. It very rarely causes any trouble.
I daresay it even makes the inhabitants of a country happier (only when there are strict rules so that prostitutes are respected).
by Fancy-Ghoul
on July 6th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Lets get people laid.
by puddingjelly
on June 29th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Well, I mean, if they want to be prostitutes, then why not? Let everyone has freedom of what they want to do, and let the others spend money on them if they want.
by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi
on May 23rd, 2010
voted:
Yes
Yes, but prostitution isn't for me.
by poldeve
on May 18th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Yes. But of course NO forced prostitution, which is so widespread today, and NO minors.
by Zack on May 13th, 2010
Yes and at discounted prices.
by ila
on May 13th, 2010
voted:
Yes
They don't call it the oldest profession for no reason ... can't get rid of it by banning it. Many countries have tried, and most of them kind of tolerate it anyway.
I think the way to go is to regulate it. Legalize it, do regular health checks and STD screening, severely penalize (no pun intended) the owner and the "service-provider" if they don't use condoms. Don't tolerate drugs on the premises. Tax the services like you tax any other business. Enforce privacy protection for customers. Ensure that employment laws apply in these places as well, and that the women (and men, I guess) are treated with some respect.
As for the women who work in this field, in most cases, it's their choice. Unless they are forced into it (which I know happens as well - and that would be eradicated if they were legal), don't tell me they have no other options.
You think they have it easier working for a pimp than being employed by a brothel? They are often abused and exploited because no one will stand up for them and they have nobody to turn to if that happens.
For the record, I have never worked in the sex trade, am married, and I would get a divorce if I learned that my hubby went to a prostitute. But that's me, and apparently, there is a demand for sex services. For some, it's a need. For most, it's a want. In any case, it's here to stay.
by anonymous
on May 8th, 2010
voted:
Yes
Yes, I think it could be legalized.
People make the argument against because of STD's, but as long as you're careful, you can prevent pregnancy and STD's. Plus, lots of people have had one night stands freely, but I don't see the same people who are against prostitution argue against people having sex freely with each other. That makes them hypocrite, STD's are always going to be a potential consequence of sex, the only difference with prostitution is you paid for it.
Prostitution is often a compromise because lots of women like money, and lots of men like sex.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account
on April 22nd, 2010
voted:
Yes
I would say yes - under careful control. I think Australia has a good approach.
Prostitution has not gone away because brothels are illegal. All that has happened is that the prostitutes cannot band together for support, have to tout on the streets etc. Since they are either illegal or quasi-legal, they are very difficult to check, for STDs, women being coerced, or under-age. I think brothels should be licensed and tested, and prostitutes licensed with mandatory medical checks.
by santaslilhelper
on December 11th, 2009
voted:
No
No it should not be legalized what are you thinking that is how HIV is spread, and sexual assults happens god please dont even debate this with me coz i will win.
by Kiss A Fat Babys Ass on July 22nd, 2008
Yes it should.After all you are not really paying for the sex,you are paying them to leave.
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Comments
BRAVO! Well said. Recently I had this conversation with a so called intelligent being & it was a lost cause. I say if your pro-sex slave trading then you definitely wanna keep prostitution illegal, & obviously if your against it then what you already stated say's it all.
The same thing can be said about drugs. Amsterdam is a perfect example of how a community deals with drugs in a very effective way making it as positive as possible while putting dope dealers out of business.
However in America were pro-crime, drugs, sex slave trafficking, & just about every other disgusting thing there is including pro- ignorance which is why the rest of the world hates Americans, & most here are happy in there ignorant bliss.
Thank you
by Iceander on May 19th, 2011
most not all, regulation? prostitution still degrades a society but it exists weather or not you allow it so...
by Pandoras out of her box on May 31st, 2011
sure then they can take more taxes
by zoneman on August 27th, 2011
You mean when you go & buy a piece of tail?
I know it would have to be taxed, but it would still be worth it in the long run because they would be regulated meaning tested for S.T.D.'s Along with ending the local pimp snatching up your young daughter from the street & turning her into a drug addict whore that will most likely be dead in 5-10 yrs.
All benefits to legalizing except for the pimps & the johns looking for under age girls, which they could still go to Asia if they wanted.
by Iceander on August 29th, 2011
how exactly does legalized prostitution "degrades a society"?
it's a service, no different then scrubbing your toilet or teaching yoga
many claim it's degrading to women but i don't see them complaining about this
or this
or this
once you remove moral objections, there is absolutely no reason not to legalize and regulate prostitution
everyone gains and no one loses (except the moral high horse crowd who want "sinful" women to suffer)
pros include:
1. increased safety and health protection for prostitutes and johns
2. massive income tax boost to the countries' strugling economy
3. decrease in related crime (drugs, theft, assult, etc)
4. police man hours/tax dollars currently wasted on arresting, booking and releasing prostitutes can be reallocated to violent crime issues
5. jail over crowding reduced by the number of arrested ho's and jon's no longer occupying space that could be used for rapists, murderers and child molesters.
cons:
?
?
?
sorry, i've got nothing
by LT_Aldo_Rain on January 13th, 2012
Excellent LT_Aldo_Rain! You can't come up with any cons, because there never was any in the 1st place.
The idiots who "think" its "still going to degrade society" just aren't honest enough to admit that pretty much most if not all of what "society says" is pure 100% BULL SH!T!
When your truly honest, then it is more than clear. But my experience has taught me that the ones who b@tch the loudest about what ever society is down on, are generally always the worse offender.
I don't quit understand it myself. But closest I can figure is they are some how trying to take any suspicion of what ever it is off themselves by making such a loud fuss condemning it.
Then down the road..Tada. They get busted for what they so admitting were disgusted by.
It seems to be a never ending cycle.
I'd bet cash money that the top dogs yelling the loudest against whatever are for sure the biggest offenders by far.
That seems to be the human sickness. Just plain dumb, yet they some how think they are actually smart. Yeah, right!
I've yet to meet a smart human & quit confident they don't exist. Of course myself included.
But the way I see it is better to know your an idiot than run around being so dumb you actually got yourself to believe your smart when your really just an idiot like everyone else.
Now that is really dumb! Like 99% of Americans who "think" their proud to be an American. Their only proud because they were told to be.
by Iceander on January 15th, 2012