ANSWERS: 100
  • Yuck,..no. I think they should crack down on it more. It spreads disease, and accompanies a lot of other crimes. You shouldn't have sex if you have to pay for it.
  • Yes, if they (however) make it illegal for a prostitute not to stock condoms.
  • I think before the government as a whole does anything radical like this, it should be tested in a state. I think that I read somewhere that Hawaii was pondering legalizing it. Correct me if I'm wrong. One of the most important aspects of the American republic is the various levels of government. Since states have a lot of power, they can serve as testing grounds for potential national programs. For example, if universal healthcare were to work out very well in California, the national government may consider it. Personally, I would never wish to buy a prostitute. However, there are prostitutes out there. Nothing is going to stop them. Legalizing them may reduce the spread of STDs.
  • 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.
  • No. this would be just another excuse for illegal female immigrants to cross the border into the united states.
  • I cannot see the benefits. I do believe it is legal in Nevada, and just because it is, it doesn't reduce the number of violent crimes against prostitutes, and it doesn't reduce the amount of disease that is passed as a result. It only cuts down on arrests related to prostitution. It would do little to eliminate the problem. People selling sex is a problem to me...
  • 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.
  • It should be legal. But what are the pros and cons? I'll throw them out there as educated guesses, then find evidence to support them. (Working backwards, eh?) Pros: 1) Less STD's. 2) More money for the government. 3) More work opportunities for financially desperate women (and sometimes men). 4) Less jail space/court time spent on everyone involved in this victimless crime (as it's actually defined). 5) [edited; clearer wording] Better alternative for the sexually frustrated who would otherwise rape (more for date-rape category as compared to perverted-relative kind) 6) Similar to (5), less opportunity for sexual frustration for those who don't get sex often for reasons beyond their control (the elderly, physically challenged, etc.) 7) Elimination of predatory pimps. Cons: 1) Risks behind-the-scenes corruption between the brothels and the government. 2) Prostitution would be stigmatized for a great while in our prudish culture. That's all I can think of.
  • I think it should be left up to the states. That having been said it seems to me that illegal prostition causes more damage then legal prostitution. I disagree with prostituion in all its forms but in the end I just don't think we are going to stop it and when its carried out in a legal manner the harm to people who are not customers or prostitutes themselves is less then when its carried out illegally. Edit: on the other hand I should point out that legalized prostitution only encourages immorality in our nation and we already have enough of that.
  • As for some of those sexless marriages. I'd rather make love to myself than pay for it!
  • yes I do.
  • No....
  • In my line of work (which is not working and eating my parents food), I have come across many a prostitute, and think it should be legal. However, it should be free. Why should I pay for the STD and then the medication to clear it up?
  • 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.
  • Maybe if it were legalized it would free up some space in our prisons and allow people who have committed real crimes (like rape, murder, etc.) to get harder sentences. Just a thought.
  • I DONT think it should be Illegal. Do you realise how much the ammount of people with STD's would go up? We would end up like Africa. A guy cheats on his wife with a hooker, contracts an STD, goes back home and do's his wife, and she gets the STD... *Edit*: Due to people assuming that I think Africa is a bad place, I must add this. I DONT hate Africa, I DONT think Africa is a terrible place. And I DONT think the only problem in Africa is STD's
  • I think it's fine the way it is, left up to the states.
  • only after repeal of the other stupid-a$$ laws on the books!
  • There is no federal ban on prostitution in the USA. It's up to the states (county or city in states where it's legal). I think it's better for it to be legal because services can be provided in a controlled environment. There would likely be less STD transmissions, fewer incidences of violence, etc. In states where it's illegal, such as California, there are prostitutes who work in the streets who are drug addicted and likely infected with STD's who managed by pimps who have been known to be violent. In Nevada where it's legal, STD testing is required, services are provided in a specific place, etc. I doubt very much that these places of business are going to have drug addicted, STD infected employees who are going to drive away business.
  • yes, but i think that it should be regulated. taxes, testing, rules, restrictions, benefits, the whole nine yards.
  • 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.
  • like some other people have said, it probably would be a good idea if it was regulated . i read somewhere prostitutes in other countries where it is legal have great benefits !
  • Hell No!
  • No, I don't support the sex trade in the US or in any other country. I don't think it should be legal. O n the flip side, I MIGHT be for it if they had a union and laws that must be adhered to. For example, certain amount of hours, amount of pay. Basically that these people are to be treated as human beings. Also, an age limit- 18+. Also that they are not forced into it, and are doing it on their own free will. Also that they would have constant STD checks and health care.
  • your right, it was do you think prostitution should be legalized in the USA. i gave my oppinion. I gave the reasoning behind my oppinion and used africa as an example. It was lady luck who brought a totaly different argument into the room.
  • Yes. Then you can set up a system where the girls can be tested regularly for STD's, look even more attractive, and are actually able to make wages for themselves and not be beaten up. Down here, we have a legal place. Costs over $100 for missionary, but at least the girls get payed well and look good as far as my friend tells me. Why is everyone always against something that people actually do find pleasure in and want to enjoy? If someone wants to pay a good looking woman to sleep with them, that is their business. Don't enforce your beliefs on people that don't agree with you.
  • My god, you people just LOVE to stick words in peoples mouth. I mean, I dont remember saying that I was an expert on Africa, infact ive already posted that i'm NOT an expert. Pardon me if you are, but are YOU people experts on Africa? Or have you just been watching PBS? I do find it amazing how knightrider can have such a scarce amount of reasoning that he has to resort to point out grammar issues and turn a formal chat into a spelling bee... But as long as we are going to start pointing out each others writing deficiencies, "frigging" means to masturbate, look it up. so basically your first sentence was, are you masturbating retarded? As for my misspelling, I misspelled like 2 words, ZOMG. Half of what i misspell are typo's.
  • So lady luck, your trying to tell me that you don't think Africa has a problem with std's? I am NOT trying to be an expert here, im just pointing out that they have a problem with std's. When i said we would end up like them, i meant, we would have a bad problem with std's.. So basicaly what has happened here, is you've blown something TOTALLY out of proportion. It's like if i were to say, America has a problem with automobile accidents. I am not saying that America is a terrible country, I am not saying that America has no other problems. I am merely stating the fact that America has a problem with automobile accidents. As for chanel, congratulations on being an expert on Africa, I wasn't saying that you people weren't experts. Infact it was in question form, asking if you were "Pardon me if you are, but are YOU people experts on Africa? Or have you just been watching PBS?". Perhaps I am blind, but I don't see anywhere in that quote, me saying that you aren't experts. So please, leave the unneeded sarcasm out.
  • So lady luck, your trying to tell me that you don't think Africa has a problem with std's? I am NOT trying to be an expert here, im just pointing out that they have a problem with std's. When i said we would end up like them, i meant, we would have a bad problem with std's.. So basicaly what has happened here, is you've blown something TOTALLY out of proportion. It's like if i were to say, America has a problem with automobile accidents. I am not saying that America is a terrible country, I am not saying that America has no other problems. I am merely stating the fact that America has a problem with automobile accidents. As for chanel, congratulations on being an expert on Africa, I wasn't saying that you people weren't experts. Infact it was in question form, asking if you were "Pardon me if you are, but are YOU people experts on Africa? Or have you just been watching PBS?". Perhaps I am blind, but I don't see anywhere in that quote, me saying that you aren't experts. So please, leave the unneeded sarcasm out.
  • ..just wanted to point out that it IS legal in the USA in certain areas like Nevada.
  • Prostitution should be legalised world wide. Fetish & Swingers Clubs should also be legal Worldwide.
  • I think it already is in Nevada. I find it more than coincidence that its next to states that have the most polygamus marriages.I would quess a lot of prostitutes are jack mormons.
  • Yes absolutely
  • We might as well.If it is regulated like any other business like in Nevada,and in parts of Europe it might be safer against diseases.
  • Might as well. It's not going away. And we could at least keep the prostitutes safer, cleaner and taxable.
  • Yes, but in Red Light districts that are heavily regulated for safety and security like in Amsterdam. Oldest profession; how can it cease to exist all of a sudden. That is because my country is still a nascent society and has not come to grips with the realities of life. If that's the only way these women can make a living them I prefer they do it safely and not have to worry about a pimp or any of that nonsense.
  • Yes, it's not hurting anyone (unless the people who partake in it get an STD).
  • 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?"
  • Sure. It's gong to happen anyways so why not use is a a source of government revenue and clean up the trade (no more crotch-rot!).
  • yes ... no problems with it
  • In some places prostitution is legal, but the use of a prostitute is illegal, as is pimping. They do this because the prostitute is seen as a victim. This could be a happy medium between the two extremes.
  • Absolutely, absatively, positively, no bout adout it! Cleaner/safer and less crime related issues. Strange thing from me however. I would NEVER pay for it whether it was legal or illegal. I prefer to pay for it the olf fashioned way,...take her out fo a $200 dinner and then beg:)
  • Yes, but pimping should stay illegal.
  • It is legal in some states. Yes.
  • I think not. It is immoral and unwholesome for communities.
  • Yes, After all, I never got how the porn industry can pay it's workers to fuck on cam, but if it's off cam well...fine them.
  • Its already legal, just in disguise. If you've ever had to pay to take someone out to a movie, dinner, or bought flowers, and eventually got busy....then guess what, you just paid for sex in another way
  • I don't think so, but it's been around for so long that if they did, they should set some pretty stiff standards up for it. Hasn't anyone ever heard of the bunny ranch???
  • My home town had 3 large houses of prostitution just outside the city limit, but readily viewable from the main street. They were medically examined once a month. Rape in the area was very rare. They contributed to the local economy and the tax coffers. Some bonehead accused the Police Chief of getting paid so he shut them down. I don't believe a year had passed when we had our first raping in town. So I say yes!
  • It is in some places. I think it should be. That way the government could prevent the spread of STDs and get rid of the terribles conditions that some prostitutes must live in.
  • no not at all.
  • Yes -- it should be legal -- that way prostitutes would have the same rights as all other women -- now a prostitute has no where to turn if a john rapes her or robs her.
  • It shouldn't be legal anywhere. The Romans tried it and it failed misrably. Amsterdam tried it and failed again. There's already problems in Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Nevada has also failed and wants to make it illegal again. You can make it legal all you want. You can try to regulate it all you want. It's not going to work. Why? Because sex was never meant biologicly or psychologicly to be a commidity. It was meant for two things procreation and strenghting the bonds between two people who love, care, respect, and trust each other. Here's what happened what happened when we've tried regulating it. We made pimping illegal. They turned it into brothel operation where the girls are supposedly self employed. Yet the brothel is the one who controls who the girl has sex with, how much she works, and how much money she gets to keep. The only self employment is she has to rent her space. The brothels still get their girls through pimps who pose as boyfriends. They also have the pimps dole out the discipline off grounds so they can claim clean hands. Plus the claim of the girls being self employed removes any responsability the brothel might have had for the other illegal acts that go in the rooms under the sub-contractor laws. We've also had illegal brothels found operating using copies of the liscences of legal brothels. Escourt services now claim to just be answering services for the escourts. Yet they still take most of the money and control who goes to which john. There's also nobody there watching what goes on to make sure she is safe or following the laws. Nevada has a serial killer who is using the escourt services as delivery service for his victems. Due to the animity they have no leads. The liscensing of prostitues hasn't been of much help either. She's still exposed to people who could harm her and there's no way to prove she's not being pimped out. And the last one is the strip club. Every law we have enacted to stop prostitution in those places has failed. The lap dance is nothing more then a chance to drum up bussiness for the clubs real money maker. Going outside of a club and doing private parties has the same consequences as the escout srevice. Nobody's there to regulate. The idea that this will stop STDs from spreading is also false. Amsterdam reports that 7% of the working protitutes are HIV infected. They also state there's no way to stop them from working or making sure they use condoms. You also have to remember that if she becomes infected there is lapse in time between tests where nobody would be the wiser. During that time she could pass on the infection to her customers. And because of the promise of full animity there would be no way to notify her customers once the infection was discovered. Keep in mind he has gone home to his partner and possible visited other prostitutes. It's also a false assumption that the girls would be protected if it was legal. These girls know that if they go to the cops the chances of the guy getting caught is almost nil. If he is caught what they do for a living would cast so much reasonable doubt that he's the one who actually did it a conviction would be impossible. They also are well aware that if they bring bad publicity on the bussiness they will pay dearly. You squeal you don't work. You could even disappear. By some reports sex workers report to being physicly or sexually assulted at least once a mounth while working. Less then 1% is reported. Here's something else without a warrent cops cannot go into these places and see what is going on or even talk to the workers. Some people try to say this will stop sexual assults on women. That's not true. Rape is about power, control, and destruction. All this does is give rapists a ready made pool of women who's job is to go off with strange men. Women who will go without a fight to another place where nobody hears her scream. In some cases never to be seen again. Regulation was suppost to stop the use of under age girls and trafficing in sex slaves. If any thing it's made it worse. They just make up a new birth certificate and fasify immegration documents. Young women are being lured into this with promises of jobs in the private sector only to find out it's a trap. Asia and the Eastern Block is well known for this. Now they're exporting them to other countries. Since most brotels are in houses or are at least closed off nobody even knows they're there. People try to say that this will end the mental and emmotional issues. That's also not true. Most of these women don't live past 50 with the top killers being suicide, O.D.s, AIDs, and murder. It doesn't matter if it's legal or not the damage it does is still there. You can't say that a woman can't separate the emmotional aspects of sex and then say for a prostitute it's diffrent. She's still a woman. She knows deep down that all she is to the men is just a receptical to be used and tossed away. She may say it doesn't hurt, but we all know that's not true. No little girl grows up saying she wants to be a prostitute. There's one more part nobody wants to talk about and that's what happens once he goes home. See, most guys who go to brothels are married, but don't want to deal with a mistress. So they pay women to have sex with them. There's usally two ways a wife finds out about it. Suspecious money activities or she gets an STD. You can just imagine what happens next. That's right a divource. Prostitutiuon doesn't help marriages it destroys them. The last is the children. Don't think for a minute the kids of both aren't effected. They both learn that women are only worth their sex and nothing more. Here's something else both sets of children are more likely to suffer the same abuse that lead the prostitue to do what she does. Especially the prostitue's children. It keeps the cycle going.
  • I think prostitution should be legalized, but 'pimpin' shouldn't be.
  • Yes. But highly regulated and controlled, taxed and with a campaign toward enlightening the masses here in the states that a prostitute is not an uncouth woman. The main problem I have with legalizing prostitution would be the way that people would treat the women (and men too I guess) who do that line of work. My second problem is that with out tight controls and regulation prostitution legalized may still be a dangerous thing - I mean we are we only going to make it ok for pimps to pimp out their "hos" along with all of the abuse and near slave wages or are we going to make it more along the lines of a medical clinic where the prostitute is educated and trained not just in the acts of sex but also some psychology, medicine and other key factors to aide her/him in not just being able to thrill the bejesus out of the client but also be able to address any medical emergencies that may crop up (so many people have a bad ticker that goes during sex) and most importantly be able to deal with the nut jobs that may decide to take roll playing to a whole new level or reality, or who may be displaying signs of mental/emotional imbalance? Sex is intimacy of a high level. In places where prostitution is legal many clients have a relationship with the person who works with them - much like the relationships that psychologist and patients have. It is a form of intimacy beyond just sex - this is something that an untrained person could do more harm than good. Most times when people go to a prostitute they are in reality looking for a human connection that may appear to be just sexual but encompasses a far wider range of human experience. There are a lot of issues that would have to be considered - I doubt that your average US citizen is capable or educated enough in sex and human sexuality to consider the larger ramifications legalizing prostitution. The US is very, very backwards when it comes to sex and human sexuality.
  • Yes, I do. But with certain restrictions, of course.
  • Yes. It has always been with us. It is time to keep the prostitutes safe, healthy and even taxable.
  • it should not. that would just give abusive men who have women who "owe them" a better chance to exploit them. not all women choose to be prostitutes
  • Anti-prostitution laws serve only to further victimize prostitutes; encouraging, tolerating, excusing, and allowing for violence, crimes, and rights-violations against prostitutes. Anti-prostitution laws make the criminal feel safe in committing crimes against a prostitute. Had Jack The Ripper been killing noble British Women, he would have undoubtedly been caught, but because he was killing prostitutes (considered as non-persons) he was not. Anti-prostitution laws also encourage street prostitution, a form of prostitution in which the prostitutes are more vulnerable to crime and violation, and more exposed to drug-dealers and pimps who seek to take advantage of them. Furthermore, anti-prostitution laws encourage the social stigma associate with prostitutes. They enforce the unacceptable view among society at large that prostitutes are beneath them -- sub-humans, non-persons, proles. The right of a (wo)man to prostitute his or her body needs to be respected as a natural right, consequent of their natural right to control their own body. Abolishing laws denying that prostitutes have the right to control their body in the form of prostituting it is the first step to legitimize the profession of prostitution, and change societal views, such that the prostitute is viewed as a hard-working person just like the rest of us. The money spent violating the rights of prostitutes should be spent pursuing those who commit crimes against prostitutes. Furthermore, a social revolution in how society views prostitutes and other sex-workers (such as strippers or actors in pornography films) needs to be initiated. Prostitution needs to be seen as a legitimate professional choice, and prostitutes need the rights that all other professionals have. What rights and priviledges they have is not particularly important, so long as they're treated the same as other professionals. Here you have some facts as to why prostitution should be legalised: A. Anti-prostitution laws don't work, and thus should be abolished. Arrest figures range over 100,000, and over 1 million people in the US have worked as prostitutes, or about 0.5% of the US. Anti-prostitution laws don't work, and thus should be abolished. The frequency of prostitution is not affected by anti-prostitution laws: they mereley drive prostitution underground, creating a much more dangerous situation for prostitutes, their customers, and society. B. Prostitution is not a women-only issue. 77.8% of arrests are women, 22.2% men. In larger cities, 20-30% of prostitutes are male. The feminist arguments against prostitution claiming that prostitution is "violence against women" need to be re-examined, considering that a considerable percentage of prostitutes are men. It is even inappropriate to call "prostitution violence against prostitutes," as it is not prostitution itself which is violent. It is the circumstances around prostitution -- all of them caused, perpetuated, and encouraged by the illegalization and stigmitization of prostitution -- which are violent. C. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws is inequitable, and discriminate against prostitutes. Prostitutes account for 90% of the arrests, their clients for only 10%. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws is predjudiced against prostitutes, and in fact punishes and violates those that the supporters of anti-prostitution laws (some feminists and Conservatives) claim anti-prostitution laws protect. Were the law equitable, 50% of those arrested under anti-prostitution laws would be the clients. But cops aren't interested in pursuing the clients: clients often have money, and can defend themselves. Furthermore, it is easier to rape, assault, abuse, and otherwise violate the rights of a prostitute. This doesn't mean that all cops are rapists, but some are, and some take advantage of the precarious situation prostitutes are in. D. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws further victimize the most victimized prostitutes. 85-90% of those arrested are street prostitutues, who account for 20% of prostitutes. As the statistics show, street-prostitutes are most likely to be subject to violence, abuse, and drug-use. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws further victimizes these most-victimized and violated of prostitutes. E. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws is racist. Despite accounting for the minority of prostitutes, non-caucasians account for the vast majority of prostitutes sentenced to jail. Anti-prostitution laws act as a vehicle for racism, as this statistic indicates. F. Drug-abuse is variable, and most common among street-prostitutes. Drug abuse ranges from 0-84%, depending on the population, and is most common among street-prostitutes, 50% of whom are drug-users. As was stated, drug-use is variable depending on the population, just like among any other group. The highest incidences of drug-use are among street-prostitutes, probably because they are subject to the most frequent contact with nefarious drug-dealers, and because they are the most likely to work for a pimp who controls them by rationing drugs to them. This is perpetuated and encouraged by anti-prostitution laws. Anti-prostitution laws force more prostitutes roam the streets, searching for clientelle (as they can't advertise from a brothel), and also discourage prostitutes from working in a house as that is a fixed and easy target for police-raids. Legalizing prostitution would ameliorate this situation, resulting in lower incidences of drug abuse. G. Prostitutes are not a major source of STD-spread. Only 3-5% of STDs are prostitution-related, compared to 30-35% which is teen-related. Despite the bunk propogated by zealous anti-prostitution advocates, prostitutes are not a major source of STD-spread, and (indeed) this suggests that they are not particularly vulnerable to STDs. This is probably because prostitutes are highly aware of safe-sex, as it is a necessity in their business, and always use condoms and other devices to make sex safer. If only the Christian Coalition nutcases would allow our teenagers to be educated just as well in contraceptives and safe sex. H. Anti-prostitution laws and their enforcement tolerate, endorse, and perpetuate violence against and violation of prostitutes. Clients account for 60% of the abuse against street-prostitutes, police for 20%, and partners for 20%. One study found that 80% of prostitutes have been sexually assaulted, some raped as many as 8-10 times/yea or more. Only 7% seek help, and only 4% report it to the police. Prostitutes are unlikely to report violent crimes committed against them and also unlikely to seek help. Prostitutes know that they will be arrested for prostitution if they report crimes against them; know that neither the cops, prosecutors, judges, juries, nor even their own lawyers will believe them, thus don't report crimes against them. Our anti-prostitution laws -- which both perpetuate and are perpetuated by social stigma against prostitution -- are responsible for the acceptance of crimes committed against prostitutes and the devaluation of prostitutes as persons. Because clients, cops, and partners know this, they feel safe in stealing from, assaulting, sexaully assaulting, torturing, raping, and even killing prostitutes. Thanks to anti-prostitution laws, there is no crime safer in the US than a crime committed against a prostitute. As the legal system, cops, prosecutors, judges, jurrors, and society at large effectively regards prostitutes as non-persons -- less than slaves -- any crime against a prostitute is almost certainly ignored, tolerated, and even encouraged. This devaluation of prostitutes as non-persons -- analagous to the Proles in Orwell's 1984 -- is encouraged and promoted by anti-prostitution laws. I. Anti-prostitution laws and their enforcement further violates those already violated. 35-85% of prositutes are survivors of childhood incidences of sexual assault/molesation by their relatives (forced incest) or others. As this statistic indicates, most prostitutes are the survivors of childhood incest, molestation, and/or sexual assault. Our legal system -- and anti-prostitution laws in particular -- re-victimize prostitutes by imprisoning them and encouraging violence against them. Our legal system, the politicians who support anti-prostitution laws, and society at large are just as responsible for the victimization and rights-violation of prostitutes as are their parents who raped them. This re-victimization can be alleviated by abolishing anti-prostitution laws, thus not imprisoning prostitutes, and not encouraging crimes against them. J. House-prostitutes have good self-esteem. 97% of house-prostitutes like themselves more after than before becoming prostitutes. The statistics propogated by so-called feminists groups "concerned about prostitutes" indicating that all prostitutes have poor self-esteem are incorrect. Most house (as opposed to street) prostitutes have a better self-perception of themselves after becoming prostitutes. This again shows why we should legalize prostitution (and allow brothels), as it would encourage house-prostitution over street-prostitution. K. Prostitutes are no more likely to entertain suicidal thoughts than other women. 59% of prostitutes have thought of committing suicide, compared to 61% of non-prostitutes. This suggests that prostitutes are no more suicidal than non-prostitutes, debunking the theories put forth by some feminists. L. The enforcement of anti-prostitution laws necessarily violates prostitutes' rights. All arrests of prostitutes involve intrapment, invasion of privacy, and/or the use of discriminatory laws/tactics. Yet more violations of prostitutes' rights by the cops and our legal system. Because prostitutes are fearful of the police, and unlikely to get good legal advice, they will often plea guilty, not knowing that the evidence procured against them was inadmissable. Often, they will be pressured into such by cops, who will deny them their lawyers or deceptively suggest that contacting lawyers implies guilt, and using other strong-arm tactics to prevent prostitutes from getting adequate legal representation and knowing their rights. M. Anti-prostitution laws are unduely expensive, and should thus be abolished: that money should be spent pursuing those who commit crimes against prostitutes. It costs $2,000/case to arrest, court, and incarcerate a prostitute. Cities spend from $1 million to $23 million dollars, for an average of $7.5 million dollars, on prostitution-control. Despite the expenses made trying to prevent prostitution, it hasn't been prevented, but only driven underground to places where prostitutes are in the greatest danger of having their rights violated by pimps, clients, and cops. Instead of spending an average of $7.5 million trying to prevent prostitution and arresting prostitutes, cities should spend that money preventing crimes/rights-violations against prostitutes, and pursuing/punishing those who commit crimes against prostitutes and/or violate their rights. To make things clearer, there is an inverse relationship between the number of prostitutes prosecuted/jailed and the number of rapists brought up on charges. It costs $2,000 total to charge, prosecute, and jail a prostitute. It costs $500 dollars for the police to send a rape-kit to a lab for analysis. In real-life, thousands of rape-kits go unanalyzed because the PD can't afford the $500 fee for analysis. That means that for every prostitute that's prosecuted, there are four rapists that get away with rape. What this says is that our politicians care more about jailing prostitutes -- who don't necessarily, by virtue of their profession, harm anyone -- than about jailing violent and dangerous rapists, who will continue to rape. I think this shows that politicians care more about pleasing their morally self-righteous constituents than the violations that prostitutes have to endure.
  • Prostitution should be legalized for numerous reasons. 1) Legalization improves neighborhoods and promotes safety. By forcing prostitution out of places where it would more naturally be found, such as in brothels or near motels, the police drive that activity into the streets of neighborhoods where it otherwise would not exist. As a result, residents of the neighborhoods are exposed to the activity against their will. 2) It cuts down on crime: They cause long-term increases in crime and drug abuse in society. When a woman is charged for a sex crime, it's a stigma that lasts her lifetime, and it makes her unemployable. 3) Government assistance will provide these women with safe homes, drug testing and counseling and STD screening and medical care. This cuts down on abortions, drug abuse and STD transmittal.
  • Yes. It takes away choices for women to earn a living.
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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..
  • defnitely. I don't see why it isn't already. It's legal at home and like other people have pointed out it keeps things safer for everyone involved. also, I like the point that why on earth shouldn't consenting adults be able to do whatever they want to do sexually? heck, we can tie each other up, we can whip each other, we can pee on each other, but we cant just pay for sex? whats the big deal?
  • What is the most cumbersome thing there is to bear, it is a government which so asserts itself to the point where it's citizens must constantly ask what is permitted or what is illegal. It's shameful that the citizens put up with such disrespect.
  • Yes because then it will be more highly regulated. It will also mean it can be taxed and the money from that can go in to health care, or schools.
  • Selling is legal. Sex is legal. Why isn't selling sex? -George Carlin
  • i don't think we should legislate morals so yes it should be legalized
  • No it shouldn't.... OK really yes it should, and the people before me made very good points: it would be safer and give the participants more benefits. But for arguments sake, there's gotta be ONE guy that disagrees. I'll be playing that role. You can imagine me with a really goofy accent and a giant mustache for this, kinda like the KFC guy. If you legalize prostitution you legitimize it. That is fine for the 20% of "call girls" out there currently who work for escort services - and yea they end up getting treated better and work in a safe environment, but what about the other 80%? The street walkers who get forced into this profession because they feel as though they have nothing left to do, or worse they get strong-armed into it by pimps and drug dealers. If it gets legalized, expect these things instances to skyrocket, along with drug use. So you get more young girls getting sucked into the profession, and what happens to once they get to age 30? Having left high school, they'll be utterly screwed - figuratively, not literally - no education and no skills. Another side effect of more people partaking in prostitution is an increase in sex crimes. If a society can objectify women like that, they lose so much respect and then people will just treat them as such.
  • yes! this will cut sex-crimes down significantly. work is work no matter wat u do so long as it can be taxed. isnt it already somewhat legal in vegas?
  • Well, if a woman or man for that fact chooses to hoe around de place then its up to them to do so. Gov'ts however, should recommend that they are test for STD's and practice safe sex.
  • If it were legalized, the current system it goes by should be abolished. Not just because of the risk of disease, unwanted pregnancy or unhealthy newborns, but also because I don't quite like the idea of a ''pimp''. Also, it's not very encouraging to young women who don't know what to do with their lives, or who would perceive this as an only answer. I agree that consentive adults know what they're doing, but sometimes I really wonder. They do have escort systems though, which are a lot more acceptable.
  • Yes, because there's going to be prostitution regardless. Also, this way, they can have control over it.
  • Women should be able to do whatever they want with their bodies, even if it is desperate and/or pathetic.
  • It is in some countries and in some states in the US.
  • my stance on all laws is this - no victim no crime
  • In the UK, prostitution is legal, but running a brothel (e.g. two prostitutes working together, for friendship and safety) is not, nor are most means prostitutes use for contacting their clients. I think, on balance, these should be legalised. While I recognise that prostitution has mann negatives, banning it or aspects of it does not make it go away, and makes the bad sides worse.
  • In lots of places on the globe it is. It's a business. Regulated by the local governments to collect taxes, preform medical checks, ...
  • Not in my books... theres plenty of other jobs out there, they may not pay as much but the sure won't riddle you with diseases...
  • My preference...? Yes...! Although I'd certainly be much poorer if I lived in Rhode Island or Nevada...! http://www.answers.com/topic/prostitution-in-nevada
  • Completely? No. Let each state and local government decide if they want pimps and whores in their town. I am OK with public referendums to determine it.
  • I say yes. Its been around as long as people have and its not likely to be going anywhere. Anyway, if all parties are consenting, then who is it hurting?
  • well it's not like it being illegal right now is stopping anyone srry to be negative
  • If properly regulated (with mandatory medical checks), I say yes.
  • 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.
  • I believe that prostitution is a perfectly valid way of earning money. It is really no different than being a movie star, or a sports legend. If the stigma was removed, appropriate regulation could be instated, and the profession should be legal.
  • Some male prostitutes for us females too! There are only Stud Farms for the rich ladies right now! We have needs too!
  • It is in Holland. the girls are regulated and they pay tax.

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