Should Prostitution be legal?

I think you're misunderstanding my point and reading too much into a single sentence. College was just a "for instance". You're putting too much emphasis on that one word and missing my point entirely.

There are some great arguments being made in this thread. Most of my feelings have already been expressed through different users (mostly Rbz and FPoD), but I would like to compile a short list of why I think legalizing prostitution could be beneficial and maybe offer a few counterpoints just to keep the discussion going.



Regulation would eliminate the sketchy behavior surrounding prostitution; the same behavior people use to deem it immoral.

Selling a service is not immoral. Sex is not immoral. So I think we all can agree that what surrounds prostitution is what makes it immoral in the eyes of society. That, and the simple fact that it has been illegal for so long that people immediately associate it with "bad" without giving it a second thought.

Standards. Rules, laws, and procedures would be put in place to protect not only the employee (the prostitute in this case) but the consumer as well. This means less venereal diseases and overall better health practices. A lot of people have already explained this in detail so I will leave it at that.

Proper security. What would happen if a man had sex with a prostitute, decided he did not want to pay and instead simply beat her to the point of unconsciousness before leaving? Nothing. The woman cannot go to the police and report this, she would be put in jail.

On the same token, what if an individual approached a prostitute not knowing that she was cracked out and delusional. She offers him sex, and then when he drops his pants she pulls a knife out and sticks it in his gut; thereafter making off with his wallet. Sure, he can seek out the police but it wouldn't reverse time and prevent the crime from being committed.

By legalizing prostitution situations like the ones I listed above would be drastically reduced. Introducing law enforcement would minimize the risks and set up a system that could deal with violent and hostile happenings. You might even have security guards at the locations prostitution would take place. Records on all the clientele and employees, so that if something did occur the appropriate actions could be taken. Etc, etc.

No more pimps. The pimp would be taken out of the scenario entirely, as he would no longer be needed/allowed if prostitution was made legal.

The significance of this is probably greater than you might think. The amount of physical, mental, and emotional damage they inflict upon these women is beyond our comprehension. They have the power to do anything they want to these women and they know it. They beat them, rape them, introduce them to drugs, force them into unsafe working conditions, cheat them, steal from them, and possibly even murder them. Not only are they a danger to prostitutes but they are a danger to the clientele as well.

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Now my counterpoints. Overall, I agree that prostitution being legalized would be a step in the right direction. But a few things did occur to me while I was thinking about it.

1.) What if the standards introduced by legalization are too strict? You know the government would not allow everything, and it's a safe assumption that illegal prostitution would still take place (child prostitution will never be made legal and there will always be degenerates willing to pay money to sleep with an underage girl).

For instance, what if the government allows the basic practices of sex but for whatever reason they don't allow most of the popular fetishes. Illegal prostitution would still have a large role to fill and it would be right back on the streets along with the pimps, the STDs, and the 5$ blowjobs.

2.) How would it affect women? Would the number of women in prostitution drastically increase after it being made legal? After all, it's a lot easier to rely on good looks and just spread your legs a bit than going to college. And what kind of repercussions would it have on society? There are a lot of poor and lower-middle-class families that don't have a whole lot of options. And if you have more women signing up to be whores you have less women in college learning to become doctors or scientists.

It is not the governments place, duty or creed to dictate morality to the people. The government's job is to provide courts in enact laws to protect us from criminal acts (Force,Fraud,etc) and protect us from unsafe conditions (OSHA), to provide cops to enforce those laws (and jails/prisons to incarcerate violators) and the military to protect the sovereignty of the country.

Ethics and morality should be practiced but, not mandated to us by government officials.

Prostitution is legal in areas of Nevada. There are no pimps in legal prostitution such as the "Wild Horse Adult Resort & Spa". Legalizing completely removes the need for a pimp as they would be forced out of business. Who would want to pay for sex from a disease ridden street walker vs paying roughly the same amount and knowing you won't go home with Chlamydia or Syphilis?

Also with legalizing it you can regulate the industry and manage safety. This would reduce or even negate the risk of disease. This would reduce the demand for "street walkers" as you would know the likelihood of contracting a disease or even robbed from a street walker instead of a safe and sanitary experience at a legal brothel.

The notion that all prostitutes are poor, immigrants, addicts, otherwise mentally disturbed only applies to the street walkers. These women are usually taken advantage of by a pimp. Who usually takes a fatherly or lover role to the prostitute before subjecting them to psychological or physical abuse. Pimps exist because prostitution is illegal. Legalizing it would remove the negative traits associated with the current trade. While this won't remove a poor woman from the trade at least she'll have a safe and regulated job that would look out for her well being. At least, she would have the choice to be a prostitute rather than forced by a pimp, same goes for immigrants. Addicts will also be removed as the businesses would have a zero tolerance policy which would filter out undesirables.

The brothels in Nevada are an excellent example of why prostitution should be legal. The women are safe, clean, and well compensated and generally taken care of.

I understand what you are trying to say, but again I disagree. In america (and .other countries as well) our laws are made by officals, who decide punishments and laws based off social customs and morals. However, these laws are not focibly dictated to us by the government because we choose our government officals - thereby we choose the laws. Ergo, we are choosing which morals to live by in our society.

2.) How would it affect women? Would the number of women in prostitution drastically increase after it being made legal? After all, it's a lot easier to rely on good looks and just spread your legs a bit than going to college. And what kind of repercussions would it have on society? There are a lot of poor and lower-middle-class families that don't have a whole lot of options. And if you have more women signing up to be whores you have less women in college learning to become doctors or scientists.

I understand what you are trying to say, but again I disagree. In america (and other countries as well) our laws are made by officals, who decide punishments and laws based off social customs and morals. However, these laws are not focibly dictated to us by the government because we choose our government officals - thereby we choose the laws. Ergo, we are choosing which morals to live by in our society.

Quote:
Prostitution is also a major vector for the spread of STDs. Since 1986, when Nevada's Bureau of Disease Control and Intervention Services began requiring monthly HIV tests for brothel prostitutes, more than 42,500 have been conducted, none positive.
Dizard, John. Financial Times. London (UK): Jun 16, 2001. pg. 23


Prostitution on the streets where it is NOT regulated is a major vector for the spread of STD's

HOWEVER, since 1986 in Nevada where brothels are regulated NO tests have been positive.

This is difference between leaving something alone and regulating it.

Oh here's more:

Quote:
A 1998 study of San Francisco prostitutes found that 82 per cent had been physically assaulted and 68 per cent had been raped. In contrast, there has only been one reported case of assault against a brothel prostitute in Nevada in 21 years.


Here's statistics stating very clearly at what you're saying is wrong. Just because you think something doesn't make it true. Where's your proof?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the United States more than 13 million people are infected each year and more than 65 million have an incurable STD. Generally, STD incidence has declined in the United States over the past 15 years, although rates among certain populations, including men who have sex with men, have increased.

In January 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported increased rates of the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and syphilis in the United States. According to the CDC, rates of gonorrhea infection have remained stable in recent years. In 2007, more than 1 million new cases of chlamydia, about 356,000 new cases of gonorrhea, and more than 11,000 new cases of syphilis were reported. Chlamydia often is asymptomatic (i.e., does not cause symptoms) and it is estimated that as many as 2.8 million people are infected with this disease each year in the United States. Improvements in STD screening are believed to be responsible for the recent increase in reported STD infection.

but what is keeping people safe from STDs? I'm not paranoid, but look at alcohol for an example. The rules are for people not to drink and drive. Simple as that, people still do it anyway. Do you honestly think people are going to follow the rules and have their STD tests monthly?

It's very ironic when people say this has nothing to do with morals. Having morals is what keeps you in line with the law. If you had no morals, you wouldn't obey the law in the first place. You'd be breaking laws left and right because you have no morals. Concept applies to prostitution as well. Do you honestly think prostitutes will stop having sex just because they tested positive with STDs? Give me a break.

Okay, since you want to some "proof". I googled this proof front page.



13 million people are infected and 65 million in the US have incurable STDs. That totals with 78 million that has contracted STDs. This is WITH Prostitution being illegal. What do you think the numbers will be when prostitution legalized? We have about 300 million people in the United States.

Your statistics aren't backed up by how accurate it is. 2009 statistics show that since more accurate STD screening have been improved on, it's shown for a fact that more people has STDs than originally thought. This would reason that signs don't show up until years later as well.

Am I paranoid, immoral, wrong, and selfish now according to you? I don't think I've been either right or wrong from the start. I'm stating my opinion, which I never said was right because it's an opinion afterall. All you've done was get angry for every counter argument I've stated and insulted me for it. That signifies a losing argument when you resort to attacks, ZiggyOtaku.

I think you're the immoral person. Because you have no reason to prevent legal brothels other than 'frowned upon by the community' you care more about yourself than all of us who are arguing against you. So you can tell people they'd kill children if it was legal all you want - but in the end you're really the selfish person here.

Rbz, you gave a lot of counter arguments using Wikipedia, but where is your main argument?

Pointing out the reason saying it would protect the prostitutes from others is a very reasonable thought. Everyone wants to remain safe, but what is keeping people safe from STDs? I'm not paranoid, but look at alcohol for an example. The rules are for people not to drink and drive. Simple as that, people still do it anyway. Do you honestly think people are going to follow the rules and have their STD tests monthly?

It's very ironic when people say this has nothing to do with morals. Having morals is what keeps you in line with the law. If you had no morals, you wouldn't obey the law in the first place. You'd be breaking laws left and right because you have no morals. Concept applies to prostitution as well. Do you honestly think prostitutes will stop having sex just because they tested positive with STDs? Give me a break.

If you know about STDs, symptoms vary greatly. Some don't show signs of STDs at all until a few years later. STD check ups aren't very accurate.

This isn't drugs, this isn't like watching porn, which can't be contracted. This is diseases contracting around since legalizing prostitution would bring in more customers thus having a larger scale and risk of spreading STDs. Some little STD check ups aren't going to prevent it. STD tests just tell people that they have STDs, it doesn't cure it.

Prostitution is also a major vector for the spread of STDs. Since 1986, when Nevada's Bureau of Disease Control and Intervention Services began requiring monthly HIV tests for brothel prostitutes, more than 42,500 have been conducted, none positive.
Dizard, John. Financial Times. London (UK): Jun 16, 2001. pg. 23

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the United States more than 13 million people are infected each year and more than 65 million have an incurable STD. Generally, STD incidence has declined in the United States over the past 15 years, although rates among certain populations, including men who have sex with men, have increased.

13 million people are infected and 65 million in the US have incurable STDs. That totals with 78 million that has contracted STDs. This is WITH Prostitution being illegal. What do you think the numbers will be when prostitution legalized? We have about 300 million people in the United States.

Your statistics aren't backed up by how accurate it is.

Teri, a prostitute who has worked in a Nevada brothel, (and who would like prostitution to be decriminalized), stated that "The brothel owners are worse than any pimp. They abuse and imprison women and are fully protected by the state".

Another former prostitute who worked in four different brothels from Nevada attacked the system, saying that "Under this system, prostitutes give up too much autonomy, control and choice over their work and lives" and "While the brothel owners love this profitable solution, it can be exploitative and is unnecessary". She described how the women were subject to various exaggerated restrictions, including making it very difficult for them to refuse clients, not being allowed to read books while waiting for customers and having to deal with doctors who had a "patronizing or sexist attitude" (the brothels discouraged and in many cases forbade prostitutes to see doctors of their own choosing).

In an article published in the Guardian in 2007, Julie Bindel wrote: "If you believe their PR, Nevada's legal brothels are safe, healthy - even fun - places in which to work. So why do so many prostitutes tell such horrific tales of abuse?"

In her 2007 report, Prostitution and trafficking in Nevada: making the connections, Melissa Farley presents the results of numerous interviews with brothel owners and prostitutes, she states that most brothel prostitutes are controlled by outside pimps and that they suffer widespread abuse by brothel owners and customers. Farley said that "What happens in legal brothels is sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and sometimes rape"; she also stated that more than 80% of the women she had interviewed told her they wanted to leave prostitution.

Alexa Albert, a Harvard medical student who has conducted a public-health study inside one of Nevada's brothels, and authored Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women, wrote in her book that the brothel owners used to require the prostitutes to have outside pimps, because the pimps were thought to make the women work harder: "The involvement of pimps enabled brothel owners to leave discipline to men who wouldn't hesitate to keep their women in line."

Bob Herbert also stated that many brothel prostitutes are controlled by outside pimps: "Despite the fiction that they are “independent contractors,” most so-called legal prostitutes have pimps — the state-sanctioned pimps who run the brothels and, in many cases, a second pimp who controls all other aspects of their lives (and takes the bulk of their legal earnings)."

Even condoms aren't recommended to prevent STDs, it just reduces the chances of STDs. Yet again, where is the cure for it? So far, no one has answered anything about it.

Laboratory studies have found that viruses (including HIV) do not pass through intact latex condoms even when devices are stretched or stressed.

The most convincing data on the effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV infection has been generated by prospective studies undertaken on serodiscordant couples, when one partner is infected with HIV and the other is not. These studies show that, with consistent condom use, the HIV infection rate among uninfected partners was less than 1 percent per year. Also, in situations where one partner is definitely infected, inconsistent condom use can be as risky as not using condoms at all.

If prostitution is legal - the girl can leave whenever she wants. Illegal prostitution, the girl cannot because her 'mananger' or pimp can hold a gun to her head.