Do you think that prostitution should be legalized?

[Nick]

It isn't really. It was a trade that was well recognized back in the dark ages, it is a legitimate industry like Adult Films are...and those people get paid to do the same thing on camera! :/

Then go into the porn industry? This isn't the dark ages, so I don't see the argument in that. But nevertheless, even though I don't see the point in falling back on prostitution, it doesn't mean I don't think others shouldn't. Like I originally said, I don't think the government should impose on these choices. The two adults are having consensual sex regardless, and I don't see any reason why people go undercover looking for prostitutes, yet don't bother going out for rapists like that. Before anyone slams at that last sentence, I recognize that people go after people like that, but when I watch the news, unless a killing is involved, I hear more about prostitution than rapists, and I find that personally appalling.

 

[Kura]

NO! I think it encourages human trafficking! I am against that wholeheartedly.

 

[Cherrim]

I... actually have the same stance on this that I have on abortion. It's going to happen regardless, so let's legalize it and make it safer for women (or men, I suppose!). Instead of keeping prostitution to the seedy underground red light district, legalize it and keep everyone involved safer. Less chance of STDs, unwanted pregnancy, safer environments for the prostitutes, probably a better chance of not having underage hookers taken advantage of, and best of all: yay taxes that can be filtered back into the country's economy instead of under-the-table bills!

I guess my view is that whether people like it or approve of it or not, it's happening and it doesn't involve/harm anyone but the people involved, so why not keep it as "hidden" as the adult film industry and make it just as legitimate?

Regardless of the issue of legality, I see nothing ethically wrong with prostitution. I don't really attach anything special to sex so if people want to pay for it, or give up their bodies to someone else for money, it's their money/body so they can do what they want. :s If someone doesn't want to get into a whole relationship just for a sexual outlet (which is a bad reason to get into a relationship), I don't see why a nameless hookup is such a bad thing. If you don't want to head into a bar and pick someone up for a one-night stand, with legalized prostitution, you could pay for the same effect and it would likely be much safer.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

I... actually have the same stance on this that I have on abortion. It's going to happen regardless, so let's legalize it and make it safer for women (or men, I suppose!). Instead of keeping prostitution to the seedy underground red light district, legalize it and keep everyone involved safer.

I'd disagree.

Unlike abortion, there's money to be made here and money to spent. If it's legalized and regulated, it will cost more and johns will go seek out the cheaper and illegal offerings. And pimps, or whatever the legal equivalent would be, aren't going to be happy making less money because now they'd have to pay taxes.

You could legalize it, but I don't think it would remove the underground aspect at all. Probably strengthen it

 

[Luck]

I'd disagree.

Unlike abortion, there's money to be made here and money to spent. If it's legalized and regulated, it will cost more and johns will go seek out the cheaper and illegal offerings. And pimps, or whatever the legal equivalent would be, aren't going to be happy making less money because now they'd have to pay taxes.

You could legalize it, but I don't think it would remove the underground aspect at all. Probably strengthen it

There's also money to be made in marijuana, but every country that decriminalizes marijuana sees lower rates of marijuana use. I don't see how it would strengthen underground prostitution overall, even with what you said.

Anyways, as far as I know, most people wouldn't risk doing something illegal when they can just pay an extra fee and avoid being thrown in jail.

 

[Kura]

There's also money to be made in marijuana, but every country that decriminalizes marijuana sees lower rates of marijuana use. I don't see how it would strengthen underground prostitution overall, even with what you said.

Anyways, as far as I know, most people wouldn't risk doing something illegal when they can just pay an extra fee and avoid being thrown in jail.

Try thinking of geisha customs and laws.. what it used to be and what it is now.. it gives an interesting perspective. I know this isn't a formal "rebuttal", just something for you to think about and consider.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Try thinking of geisha customs and laws.. what it used to be and what it is now.. it gives an interesting perspective. I know this isn't a formal "rebuttal", just something for you to think about and consider.

That's if the government doesn't over-regulate and over-tax the trade so much that it goes underground to avoid that. While some reasonable regulation is obviously necessary, it has to be in moderation.

 

[ShinyMeowth]

Prostitution should be completely legal and unregulated. Just like alcohol and drugs, it is not the government's business, and since it does not hurt others it is ridiculous to make it a criminal offense. Same goes with all victimless crimes.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

Prostitution should be completely legal and unregulated. Just like alcohol and drugs, it is not the government's business, and since it does not hurt others it is ridiculous to make it a criminal offense. Same goes with all victimless crimes.

I wouldn't call any of those victimless.

Impaired driving accidents, broken families, illness and death, second-hand effects, STDs spread to others unknowingly

There's also money to be made in marijuana, but every country that decriminalizes marijuana sees lower rates of marijuana use. I don't see how it would strengthen underground prostitution overall, even with what you said.

Anyways, as far as I know, most people wouldn't risk doing something illegal when they can just pay an extra fee and avoid being thrown in jail.

At the same time, I'd imagine that decriminalizing and regulating marijuana also improves its quality and consistency. People don't mind paying a little more for "the good stuff".

I don't think that can apply to this situation, aside from safety.

 

[Esper]

Whether it existed in the past, whether it's legal in some places and not in others, whether someone people find it uncomfortable or not - none of that matters. Only thing that should matter is whether it would help people.

If it were regulated I think there would be fewer underage prostitutes out there since I'm sure one of the things you'd have to check is whether someone was of age. I think it could probably help a lot of women who aren't able to escape that life get some help from the law. I can't imagine that every prostitute thinks their work is just a fun way of making money. I'm sure a lot are doing it because they can't find any better way of getting by.

And I don't see how it would encourage human trafficking.

At the same time, I'd imagine that decriminalizing and regulating marijuana also improves its quality and consistency. People don't mind paying a little more for "the good stuff".

I think that's the kind of point Luck was making, that legalizing doesn't drive people to underground/illegal sources since they'd rather pay a little more for something safer/better quality.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Prostitution should be completely legal and unregulated. Just like alcohol and drugs, it is not the government's business, and since it does not hurt others it is ridiculous to make it a criminal offense. Same goes with all victimless crimes.

I agree with you, to an extent. If people want to drink and drug themselves into the grave, that's their choice; but the government can regulate it when it begins to affect others, i.e. drunk drivers and the spread of STDs.

 

[Oryx]

Prostitution should be completely legal and unregulated. Just like alcohol and drugs, it is not the government's business, and since it does not hurt others it is ridiculous to make it a criminal offense. Same goes with all victimless crimes.

Having it unregulated defeats the point of having it legal. Say hypothetically you wanted a prostitute (inb4 "I would never want a prostitute", go with the hypothetical please). Would you rather pay 20 bucks for someone on a seedy street, or pay 50 bucks and guarantee that you wouldn't get anything from her and that you're not breaking the law by hiring someone underage? Regulation would involve checking for STDs, checking to make sure she's of age, protecting both the people paying for it and the people being paid for it.

If you're fine with getting three STDs and then being sued for statutory rape, then I guess that point is moot though, lol.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Having it unregulated defeats the point of having it legal. Say hypothetically you wanted a prostitute (inb4 "I would never want a prostitute", go with the hypothetical please). Would you rather pay 20 bucks for someone on a seedy street, or pay 50 bucks and guarantee that you wouldn't get anything from her and that you're not breaking the law by hiring someone underage? Regulation would involve checking for STDs, checking to make sure she's of age, protecting both the people paying for it and the people being paid for it.

If you're fine with getting three STDs and then being sued for statutory rape, then I guess that point is moot though, lol.

Statutory rape is a crime, not a tort. You'd be imprisoned for it, not sued.

I don't think that would make your point moot because the government has a legitimate interest in protecting the public health. Even if the patron for some reason didn't care if he (or she) contracted an STD from a street prostitute, they could easily transmit it to someone else, and it would spread around from there.

 

[ShinyMeowth]

Having it unregulated defeats the point of having it legal. Say hypothetically you wanted a prostitute (inb4 "I would never want a prostitute", go with the hypothetical please). Would you rather pay 20 bucks for someone on a seedy street, or pay 50 bucks and guarantee that you wouldn't get anything from her and that you're not breaking the law by hiring someone underage? Regulation would involve checking for STDs, checking to make sure she's of age, protecting both the people paying for it and the people being paid for it.

If you're fine with getting three STDs and then being sued for statutory rape, then I guess that point is moot though, lol.

I would pay 20 bucks and use a condom. In fact, I would pay 20 bucks and use a condom even if the legal one's price was 20 too, just to keep true to my ideals. First of all, STDs are not the law's concern, and if you decide to have intercourse with someone, it is your concern to use protection and get tested. About the underage status, my opinion is the age of consent must be lowered to the age when a girl hits puberty. Nothing more than that. Once your body can take it, it is your right to have sexual intercourse with whomever you want. Of course, rape should still be treated as a crime, and intercourse should have to be consensual. In addition to that, prostitution must be limited only to the age of consent and nothing more. The way the law is right now, an underage girl above the age of consent can have intercourse only if she does not get paid for it. Anybody who has a brain can figure out why this is incredibly wrong.
And don't even bother to say it, I was being hypothetical because I support human rights. I would never hire a prostitute, adult or not. I am also against having intercourse in young ages, but I will fight for the right to do it.

 

[twocows]

I would pay 20 bucks and use a condom. In fact, I would pay 20 bucks and use a condom even if the legal one's price was 20 too, just to keep true to my ideals. First of all, STDs are not the law's concern, and if you decide to have intercourse with someone, it is your concern to use protection and get tested. About the underage status, my opinion is the age of consent must be lowered to the age when a girl hits puberty. Nothing more than that. Once your body can take it, it is your right to have sexual intercourse with whomever you want. Of course, rape should still be treated as a crime, and intercourse should have to be consensual. In addition to that, prostitution must be limited only to the age of consent and nothing more. The way the law is right now, an underage girl above the age of consent can have intercourse only if she does not get paid for it. Anybody who has a brain can figure out why this is incredibly wrong.
And don't even bother to say it, I was being hypothetical because I support human rights. I would never hire a prostitute, adult or not. I am also against having intercourse in young ages, but I will fight for the right to do it.

Actually, if you know that you have an STD and your partner doesn't and you do not disclose that information, you're criminally liable in all states that I'm aware of. For instance, there are "people" (I am hesitant to call them that) who knowingly go around spreading HIV to their partners. These people are criminally liable if they are caught and, as far as I'm aware, can face attempted murder or capital murder charges (if their partner dies as a result). For STDs that aren't quite so lethal, I'm sure they can face other criminal charges. Then again, IANAL, this is just my understanding of the law.

I agree with Toujours, I see regulated prostitution as a good thing. Much like legalizing and regulating marijuana would probably lead to less criminal activity and actual standards to protect consumers, legalizing and regulating prostitution would probably lead to (again) less criminal activity and actual standards to protect consumers. It might even give a few would-be rapists a safe outlet for their urges.

 

[Mr Cat Dog]

Actually, if you know that you have an STD and your partner doesn't and you do not disclose that information, you're criminally liable in all states that I'm aware of. For instance, there are "people" (I am hesitant to call them that) who knowingly go around spreading HIV to their partners. These people are criminally liable if they are caught and, as far as I'm aware, can face attempted murder or capital murder charges (if their partner dies as a result). For STDs that aren't quite so lethal, I'm sure they can face other criminal charges. Then again, IANAL, this is just my understanding of the law.

In the UK at least - not sure about other jurisdictions - engaging in sexual intercourse having an STD with a partner who doesn't know of it is considered a battery/assault akin to grievous bodily harm. If the partner ends up dying because of it, it then becomes manslaughter (as, presumably, there'll be no intention to kill when having sex). This if just UK-based though; I imagine other countries' laws will differ slightly.

With regards to the main issue: yes, I do think prostitution should be legalized, but heavily regulated. Rather than adopting a model akin to the Netherlands, I'd argue that a New Zealand-type arrangement would work better for most countries wanting to do this. The main reason I'd put forth for its legalization is more to do with protection of the prostitutes themselves and giving them legal remedies, rather than the libertarian arguments that have been put forth so far (although I do agree with them to a certain extent). A few years ago, I was surprised to watch a documentary where members of the Women's Institute (a conservative British group about aimed at bringing rural communities together) try and lobby to bring prostitution into the domain of legality; maybe it has more proponents that legislators realise?

 

[Esper]

The way the law is right now, an underage girl above the age of consent can have intercourse only if she does not get paid for it. Anybody who has a brain can figure out why this is incredibly wrong.

I'm confused by this statement. Doesn't underage mean not yet old enough to consent? I know that, where I live at least, if you're 17 you can't legally have sex with someone who's 19, but you can if they're 17, too. Or at least no one is going to get arrested if they're both 17.

And to address that other thing you said

my opinion is the age of consent must be lowered to the age when a girl hits puberty. Nothing more than that. Once your body can take it, it is your right to have sexual intercourse with whomever you want.

I have problems with it.

One, you're talking about girls only. I know that's been the focus in this thread, but there are male prostitutes out there and plenty of underage boys. Just wanted to mention that. And you know that some girls are starting puberty at 10 and 11, right? And that puberty isn't just a one day process, that it takes years before you're finished with it?

Two, just being able to have sex physically shouldn't be the only thing you need. There's a level of maturity you really, really should have before having sex. After all, there are big consequences: pregnancy, STIs and STDs. And there are sexual predators out there so a certain level of awareness about the world is something you should have as well. Yeah, I know, there are some really mature kids out there and some really immature adults. If you're 10 and mature enough to have sex you're also probably mature enough to realize you shouldn't just yet. If you think otherwise you're probably not as mature as you think you are.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

I'm confused by this statement. Doesn't underage mean not yet old enough to consent? I know that, where I live at least, if you're 17 you can't legally have sex with someone who's 19, but you can if they're 17, too. Or at least no one is going to get arrested if they're both 17.

And to address that other thing you said


I have problems with it.

One, you're talking about girls only. I know that's been the focus in this thread, but there are male prostitutes out there and plenty of underage boys. Just wanted to mention that. And you know that some girls are starting puberty at 10 and 11, right? And that puberty isn't just a one day process, that it takes years before you're finished with it?

Two, just being able to have sex physically shouldn't be the only thing you need. There's a level of maturity you really, really should have before having sex. After all, there are big consequences: pregnancy, STIs and STDs. And there are sexual predators out there so a certain level of awareness about the world is something you should have as well. Yeah, I know, there are some really mature kids out there and some really immature adults. If you're 10 and mature enough to have sex you're also probably mature enough to realize you shouldn't just yet. If you think otherwise you're probably not as mature as you think you are.

Both of us being from California, both partners are committing statutory rape against each other if both of them are 17. I just thought I'd thrown that out there.

There really aren't any male legal brothels in Nevada. The law doesn't ban them. They just simply don't exist for some reason.

 

[The Corrupt Plague]

Well it's their bodies we are talking about here, so why can't they do whatever they with it? I think prostitution should be legalized, but heavily regulated to keep out STD's and prevent pregnancies. By that, I mean do a ton of STD screening for the prostitutes themselves with many years of jailtime for any customer who brings them in and infects them. I also think that they should require some sort of contraception upon intercourse with everyone having to prove they are over the age of 18 beforehand. If everyone goes to legal brothels, the pimps will eventually run out of business and we won't see as much violence from them anymore.

 

[ShinyMeowth]

I'm confused by this statement. Doesn't underage mean not yet old enough to consent? I know that, where I live at least, if you're 17 you can't legally have sex with someone who's 19, but you can if they're 17, too. Or at least no one is going to get arrested if they're both 17.

And to address that other thing you said

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Age_of_Consent.png
In many places, the age of consent is much less than 18, but many here have raised concerns about underage prostitutes. This is what I was referring to.

I have problems with it.

One, you're talking about girls only. I know that's been the focus in this thread, but there are male prostitutes out there and plenty of underage boys. Just wanted to mention that. And you know that some girls are starting puberty at 10 and 11, right? And that puberty isn't just a one day process, that it takes years before you're finished with it?

I admit I have been wrong there by talking about girls only. All my arguments can be extended to male prostitutes too.
Perhaps puberty was the wrong word here. My point is that once you are able to impregnate or be impregnated by someone, an immediate implication of that is that you are able to naturally have intercourse, and it is ridiculous that the law does not consider that.

Two, just being able to have sex physically shouldn't be the only thing you need. There's a level of maturity you really, really should have before having sex. After all, there are big consequences: pregnancy, STIs and STDs. And there are sexual predators out there so a certain level of awareness about the world is something you should have as well. Yeah, I know, there are some really mature kids out there and some really immature adults. If you're 10 and mature enough to have sex you're also probably mature enough to realize you shouldn't just yet. If you think otherwise you're probably not as mature as you think you are.

Your last point is invalid. If you are 10 and mature enough to understand what sex is, there is absolutely no reason not to have it. The only reason not to have it would be lack of maturity, which is countered by our first point, that you are mature enough to realize what sex is. (All this is assuming your body is prepared at 10).
The risks can all be countered by proper action by your parents. Kids should be tested for STDs at a very young age, and of course they should be educated about the risk of pregnancy, and the necessity of a condom.

Well it's their bodies we are talking about here, so why can't they do whatever they with it? I think prostitution should be legalized, but heavily regulated to keep out STD's and prevent pregnancies. By that, I mean do a ton of STD screening for the prostitutes themselves with many years of jailtime for any customer who brings them in and infects them. I also think that they should require some sort of contraception upon intercourse with everyone having to prove they are over the age of 18 beforehand. If everyone goes to legal brothels, the pimps will eventually run out of business and we won't see as much violence from them anymore.

Heavy regulation is very, very wrong. A perfect system would be a mixed system. Prostitution should be legal, and mainly unregulated, but with the option of individual prostitutes scrapping the lack of regulation, getting regularly tested for STDs by the government and in return getting a "No STDs" license. That way, customers could have a choice of either taking the cheap solution and going with a random prostitute from the street, or go with the regulated ones while paying the extra fees.