Do you think that prostitution should be legalized?

[Oryx]

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.

There are plenty of people that realize they're mature enough to have sex also realize that it's not the right time to do so. I felt that way at 16 and chose not to for a few more years because I was mature enough to know that if I save it until I meet someone that I'm 100% sure I want to do that with. A 10 year old that somehow gained 6 or 7 years of maturity would realize that people that wanted to have sex with them at that age would be trying to use them, and anyone else their age isn't mature enough to handle it, so they shouldn't be having sex with them.

 

[Seeds Horizon]

NEVAR!

I dont think prostitution should everbe legalized, no matter what the laws that would be put in place if it was. I dont know what kind of low self esteem you would have to sell your body for money, but I see it as wrong. Plus, I dont want to walk down the street with 10 old ladies yelling "Wanna have a good time tonight? *cough* cough* *splutter*" noooo thanks. Plus, it wouldnt lessen the spread of STD's, it would probably spread it more, seeing as how more people would practice prostitution, therefor having a high risk of those people having STDs, and even if you made a law where you cant have an STD and commit it, then they would just go underground and do it.

 

[Rainy Day]

NEVAR!

I dont think prostitution should everbe legalized, no matter what the laws that would be put in place if it was.

What?

I dont know what kind of low self esteem you would have to sell your body for money,

Well it's not so much about the self-esteem usually as it is about the money. People will pay for sex, so people will put out for payment. It's simple supply and demand.

but I see it as wrong. Plus, I dont want to walk down the street with 10 old ladies yelling "Wanna have a good time tonight? *cough* cough* *splutter*"

Prostitution already occurs to some extent now. If it were to be permitted, you'd probably experience roughly the same level of harassment as you currently do. (None)

noooo thanks. Plus, it wouldnt lessen the spread of STD's, it would probably spread it more, seeing as how more people would practice prostitution, therefor having a high risk of those people having STDs, and even if you made a law where you cant have an STD and commit it, then they would just go underground and do it.

You refuted your own point. If they're already spreading STDs underground, then what difference will it make if prostitution is legalized? In fact, if people with STDs are limited to underground practice, wouldn't that decrease the spread of them? I don't know.

You have a unique grasp of the English language, dear fellow.

 

[Azureth]

Many times I get so upset that I'm 25 yet never been kissed, been on a date or had sex. Yet unless I happen to gain these incredible charming skills I still won't for quite awhile. Yet this could be so much easier for me and other guys that, for various reasons are just unlucky with women. Why should we have to suffer because we weren't fortunate to be born with great looks, good strong genes etc.?

Not only would it help men, but it would help women as well! Men that don't want any kind of relationship and just sex could go and get it, leaving by and large just the serious guys for the women so it works great for them too.

Why is it that we find it perfectly acceptable to pay women to take off their clothes and give lap dances, yet pay for sex? Oh no, that's crossing the line!

I also think crimes such as rape and sexual assault would go down as well.

Yes, I know it is legal in some parts of Nevada and I'm actually considering planning a trip there with some friends just for that reason, but it is just absurd and ridiculous how I have to go to those lengths; hell, even some women I have talked to has agreed legalizing prostitution would be good. Not to mention disabled men like me.

Why must us guys that aren't fortunate enough to be handsome and witty have to suffer just because of some religious people?

 

[Esper]

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.

This sort of assumes that the point of sex is for reproduction, like saying "this is what our bodies were made for so this is what we're supposed to do with them." To use a different example: human males (and many other animals) are biologically programmed to sleep around and spread their genes, but we don't accept that as the way to structure our society. Human intelligence and culture has grown much faster than our biology has. Why should we automatically allow something just because there's some particular biological factor which implies we should allow it?

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.

Understanding what sex is doesn't mean you necessarily understand all the implications and possible consequences. Since there's no harm from not having sex there's nothing wrong with having people wait until they're ready. I think it's safe to assume that most 10 year old's aren't ready for sex so to all you really mature 10 y/o's out there I'm sorry, but please hold off on the sexy time until you're a little older for the sake of your peers who aren't mature enough. You don't want to pressure them into something they'll regret later.

 

[Echidna]

Personally i think it should never be legalized. Its just wrong. I don't think prostitutes are bad people, but who are bad are those who think so. I think prostitution should be removed permanently. It may be a way of living for many, but they can find other jobs, jobs that don't make a lot of people (who i despise) to think wrongly about them. They are human, and should find a better line of work.

 

[ShinyMeowth]

There are plenty of people that realize they're mature enough to have sex also realize that it's not the right time to do so. I felt that way at 16 and chose not to for a few more years because I was mature enough to know that if I save it until I meet someone that I'm 100% sure I want to do that with. A 10 year old that somehow gained 6 or 7 years of maturity would realize that people that wanted to have sex with them at that age would be trying to use them, and anyone else their age isn't mature enough to handle it, so they shouldn't be having sex with them.

I too stay away from intercourse as I find the emotional factor to be very important. However, that does not mean that we should restrict others from having intercourse just for pleasure. When saying 10, I was simply replying to your comment, this applies for any age where sexual urges can emerge. I really do not see how people wanting to have sex with them would do it just to use them, theoretically a relationship between a 13 year old and a 30 year old could work perfectly as long as both parties realized the implications. And of course, as one person can be mature enough to have intercourse at a very young age, by the law of truly large numbers a pair of acquaintances can too be mature enough to have intercourse at a very young age. Thus, educated intercourse between say 11 year olds could very much possibly happen.

This sort of assumes that the point of sex is for reproduction, like saying "this is what our bodies were made for so this is what we're supposed to do with them." To use a different example: human males (and many other animals) are biologically programmed to sleep around and spread their genes, but we don't accept that as the way to structure our society. Human intelligence and culture has grown much faster than our biology has. Why should we automatically allow something just because there's some particular biological factor which implies we should allow it?

Yes, the biological factor means exactly that. The only valid reasons not to have intercourse at 7 is that first, the body is not developed enough, and secondly, the person is not mature enough to handle it. Once the biological factor is gone, the only thing left is the maturity factor. There are many instances of people with maturity highly above the average of their age group, so when we refer to that group, all points against intercourse immediately collapse. Any excuse to prohibit it after that falls under the "God frowns upon it so we certainly must prohibit it" group.

Understanding what sex is doesn't mean you necessarily understand all the implications and possible consequences. Since there's no harm from not having sex there's nothing wrong with having people wait until they're ready. I think it's safe to assume that most 10 year old's aren't ready for sex so to all you really mature 10 y/o's out there I'm sorry, but please hold off on the sexy time until you're a little older for the sake of your peers who aren't mature enough. You don't want to pressure them into something they'll regret later.

Are you serious? Following that logic, since there is no harm in lack of education and advance we should stay in caves. Lack of harm is only a valid excuse to allow practices (such as underage intercourse), not to prohibit them .-.

 

[Weeaboo Name]

I think if it is heavily moderated and a certain stander is upheld it should be allowed. I mean there will always be prostitutes, even if it is illegal. If they can work away from the dangers of the street and work in cleaner brothels I don't see why not.

It's pretty much my opinion on most things that are illegal but people still do anyway, make it as safe as possible.

 

[Nutella]

Definitely, but with a lot of safeguards in place.

First of all, think of all the revenue the government can get from a billion-dollar industry. The U.S. is in economic strife; they don't have the place to be cocky about where their money comes from. Besides, how is it immoral to pay for sex? It's the person's body, and they can decide how to use it, providing they're not putting others in danger. Plenty of people use sex as a device to get what they want from others, and nobody complains nearly as much. It's nothing new to use sex to make some kind of profit. Everybody knows what else escort services really implement, but their businesses get taxed. It would be nothing new.

Secondly... there will be less of them that get killed or beaten- covertness is understandable for some clients, but it also opens a gaping hole for those of vile intentions to abuse and harm them. With appropriate safeguards in place, there would be much less risks of them getting harmed. Should it become legal, organisations that make use of prostitutes should be legally obligated to fund for sexual health tests to "keep them clean," you could say, as well as healthy. Clients should be forced to sign logs of some kind, so that if they assault a prostitute, it would be much easier to track them down. Of course, the documents, like client records, would be treated with the utmost confidence.

Unregistered prostitution should be illegal, as it can be very unsafe for both parties. Not only that, but by applying procedural enrolment, authorities can be sure that the person seeking to become a hooker was not coerced and is free from sexually transmitted disease. Of course, the former can't be 100% absolute, but it's a start. No, this won't make people less likely to become prostitutes- people that choose this path will choose it anyway.

Also, think of the decrease in rapes if prostitution becomes more readily and legally available. One can see a hooker without fear of getting arrested or publicly shamed.

"It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United States, the rape rate would decrease by roughly 25% for a decrease of approximately 25,000 rapes per year... ...[T]he analysis seems to support the hypothesis that the rape rate could be lowered if prostitution was more readily available. This would be accomplished in most countries by its legalization."

- Kirby R. Cundiff, PhD, Associate Professor of Finance at Northeastern State University

As opposed to (granted, this is an Australian statistic, but the principle remains the same):

"A study conducted in Queensland... show[ed] a 149% increase in the rate of rape when legal brothels were closed in 1959."

- Linda M. Rio Reichmann, JD, Director of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Child Custody Pro Bono Project

 

[インフェルノの津波]

Hell. No.

Legalizing Marijuana and LGBT Marriage is one thing, prostitution is something I will not stand for. Selling your body isn't something that should be legalized. True, it's your body, but who's going to pay for your hospital bill, or when you die? What if you contract a disease, not necessarily a STD, could be anything really, and you live in insufferable pain?

So, my answer is no. People are too stupid to actually care for their bodies, hence why doctors and physicians exist.

 

[Shining Raichu]

Personally i think it should never be legalized. Its just wrong. I don't think prostitutes are bad people, but who are bad are those who think so. I think prostitution should be removed permanently. It may be a way of living for many, but they can find other jobs, jobs that don't make a lot of people (who i despise) to think wrongly about them. They are human, and should find a better line of work.

It would be completely impossible to remove prostitution. People want sex, and people want money, and as long as both of those things exist, they will be exchanged - legally or not. I like your optimism though :)

 

[ShinyMeowth]

Definitely, but with a lot of safeguards in place.

First of all, think of all the revenue the government can get from a billion-dollar industry. The U.S. is in economic strife; they don't have the place to be cocky about where their money comes from. Besides, how is it immoral to pay for sex? It's the person's body, and they can decide how to use it, providing they're not putting others in danger. Plenty of people use sex as a device to get what they want from others, and nobody complains nearly as much. It's nothing new to use sex to make some kind of profit. Everybody knows what else escort services really implement, but their businesses get taxed. It would be nothing new.

Taxing prostitution is ridiculous. The government plays absolutely no part in it, and in no universe is there a logical reply to "How can you tax a person's body?".

Secondly... there will be less of them that get killed or beaten- covertness is understandable for some clients, but it also opens a gaping hole for those of vile intentions to abuse and harm them. With appropriate safeguards in place, there would be much less risks of them getting harmed. Should it become legal, organisations that make use of prostitutes should be legally obligated to fund for sexual health tests to "keep them clean," you could say, as well as healthy. Clients should be forced to sign logs of some kind, so that if they assault a prostitute, it would be much easier to track them down. Of course, the documents, like client records, would be treated with the utmost confidence.

Agreed, with the exception that this should not be mandatory. Prostitutes should have an option of signing or not signing up to an organization.

Unregistered prostitution should be illegal, as it can be very unsafe for both parties. Not only that, but by applying procedural enrolment, authorities can be sure that the person seeking to become a hooker was not coerced and is free from sexually transmitted disease. Of course, the former can't be 100% absolute, but it's a start. No, this won't make people less likely to become prostitutes- people that choose this path will choose it anyway.

No. If someone wants to hire an unregistered prostitute for any reason, it is their choice and right to do so. Harm caused by that is their fault for not taking precautions. It is not the government's business to do it for them.

Hell. No.

Legalizing Marijuana and LGBT Marriage is one thing, prostitution is something I will not stand for. Selling your body isn't something that should be legalized. True, it's your body, but who's going to pay for your hospital bill, or when you die? What if you contract a disease, not necessarily a STD, could be anything really, and you live in insufferable pain?

So, my answer is no. People are too stupid to actually care for their bodies, hence why doctors and physicians exist.

Nobody is forcing you to be involved with prostitution, so how can you force others not to be?

 

[donavannj]

If prostitution is legalized, they need registries of legitimate prostitutes and brothels. May as well make the practice safer if it's going to happen whether it's legal or not. These registries would need to be supported by taxes on the industry itself, much like other industries have taxes unique to those industries.

Unregistered prostitution itself is the problem, and allowing for unregistered prostitutes defeats the purpose of legalizing the practice to make it safer for the prostitutes.

Hell. No.

Legalizing Marijuana and LGBT Marriage is one thing, prostitution is something I will not stand for. Selling your body isn't something that should be legalized. True, it's your body, but who's going to pay for your hospital bill, or when you die? What if you contract a disease, not necessarily a STD, could be anything really, and you live in insufferable pain?

So, my answer is no. People are too stupid to actually care for their bodies, hence why doctors and physicians exist.

Bolded part is already legal. You can sell off your non-vital organs in addition to donating them. You can also donate your blood.

Bold and underlined part is covered by life insurance and health insurance, which prostitutes would be able to have if prostitution were legalized.

Underlined part needs examples: Such as...? Anything that's not an STD or STI is essentially an airborne illness, hereditary and not contagious, or can be obtained quite easily even with just normal human contact.

 

[Esper]

Taxing prostitution is ridiculous. The government plays absolutely no part in it, and in no universe is there a logical reply to "How can you tax a person's body?".

Athletes, dancers, and models all use their bodies and get paid for it. They pay taxes. Masseurs, physical therapists and others' jobs are to do things to your body for your benefit, plenty of time using their own bodies in the process. They're providing a service and it's the service which is being taxed. Except for the sexual aspect I can't see how there's any meaningful difference between their work and prostitutes' work.

 

[Lirael]

I would lean more towards the legalisation side, primarily because it's impossible to stop, so it would be happening regardless. With full regulations and correct setup's it's possible to be done with minimal risk to the prostitute be them male or female.
Any risk which occurred could then be brought to a police front who would deal with it accordingly. Thus giving prostitutes a safer environment.

However i would want funding into finding and helping the reasons as to why people find themselves in that position to begin with. Be it the easiest way for money, to provide for young children, or for other issues, the root cause needs to be dealt with.

No one is denying that sex morally is the most intimate one can get with another human being physically and when two people have a connection its all the more powerful and a better experience, but some people will always want just the deed, that will never leave society.

Azureth, you pulled a string with me, i hope that you find it within yourself to see yourself as worthy as anyone for a girlfriend. Besides would you really want to get intimate with someone who is shallow? I'm sure you've heard all this before and i don't mean to pry, i think a boost of self worth is in order. PM me if you fancy a chat, about anything and everything should you want to :D

 

[aruchan]

I would support legalization, as it occurs anyway and at least the legalization of the trade would help stamp out the human trafficking epidemic. If prostitution is legal, people would be more willing to have relations with those who have been screened monthly for STDs and aren't in back alleys than those held by pimps. To the morality argument: prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, and do they eat their children?

 

[FreakyLocz14]

I would support legalization, as it occurs anyway and at least the legalization of the trade would help stamp out the human trafficking epidemic. If prostitution is legal, people would be more willing to have relations with those who have been screened monthly for STDs and aren't in back alleys than those held by pimps. To the morality argument: prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, and do they eat their children?

It's also legal in Nevada, and that state hasn't collapsed into immorality.

 

[ShinyMeowth]

Athletes, dancers, and models all use their bodies and get paid for it. They pay taxes. Masseurs, physical therapists and others' jobs are to do things to your body for your benefit, plenty of time using their own bodies in the process. They're providing a service and it's the service which is being taxed. Except for the sexual aspect I can't see how there's any meaningful difference between their work and prostitutes' work.

That does not make it moral, in fact all the professions you just mentioned are immorally taxed. P2P relations are completely unrelated to the government, and thus they have absolutely no right to tax them.

 

[Floss]

From a religious perspective, no.
From a nerd who plays pokemon and knows he will never get close to girls besides May and Misty, yes. I would like to be able to sell my gameboy one day and pay for a good lay.

 

[aruchan]

It's also legal in Nevada, and that state hasn't collapsed into immorality.

Debatable. I mean, Las Vegas is called "Sin City", right? xD
Immortality is everywhere, and the US is not immune. Well, morality itself is bunk, so deriving a logical statement from illogic is rather pointless. ;d