Should Prostitution Be Legal?

[Daltron]

Prostitutes are highly stigmatized for the work they do, and those who condemn this work believe that it is shameful and immoral, and has no place in a just social order. Others believe it is a necessary evil, in that if men (primarily) could not satisfy their sexual urges through some form of commoditized sexual service, these urges would find a more socially disruptive outlet.

Some feminists argue that prostitution is a relic from older patriarchal societies in which men’s access to the bodies of subordinates was a privilege and expression of men’s social power.

Many contemporary “sex workers” (a term coined by prostitutes’ rights activists) report that their clients have various motives, but primarily to seek relief from loneliness or to have uncomplicated sex. These sex workers believe that they are providing a valuable and morally permissible service to their clients and, by earning a living doing valuable work, they are making a contribution to their societies. I

n short, women (and men) who offer their labor in various types of sex trades believe that the stigma that attaches to them and their work is unfair and undeserved.


Does prostitution allow for more harm than good?

Are there any direct benefits or disadvantages to society in general as a result of legalisation?

Are there strong moral barriers for different cultures?

What are your thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

It should definitely be legalised. As it currently stands, sex work for the most part (although that term also extends to strippers and porn actors) is driven underground and therefore highly unregulated and unsafe. If prostitution was legalised there would be proper consent contracts and health certificates like there is in the world of professional porn, making the entire process safer, easier, and quite likely more comfortable for workers and clients alike. Human trafficking for forced prostitution would be less lucrative and more risky and should therefore decrease with legalisation, and people would be free to use their body for work as they wish - we don't tell fishermen that it's illegal to risk their body for their work, or campaign against professional wrestlers because they're letting people attack them, and prostitution with proper regulations is far safer than any current high-risk job.

[GommeInc]

Pretty much what FlyingJesus said. If it was legalised it could be appropriately regulated and made safe for both the client and the worker, which is the main issue with having it illegal - sex workers will not go to have their health checked regularly for the obvious reason they'll be caught and risk being imprisoned, especially if the client catches something and reports the prostitute (although the client would/should get in trouble for soliciting as well). It's quite a hefty punishment, too, for the worker. Imprisoning them then causes further problems to those who cannot find other jobs causing a hindrance on society despite society showing there is a demand for prostitution. It's a circular argument. Implication will be important - by allowing licensing in key areas and then seeing if it expands, but that's standard for businesses in a mix of industries anyway.

The Netherlands, or more specifically Amsterdam, is usually a good example. If the UK legalised it, maybe London could be a central hub for it to begin with?

[Yawn]

if they are fit they should be allowed to prostitute because then every1 has the opportunity to have sexy time with a sexy person at least once in their life

WHO'S WITH ME

[Southe,]

"In Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland) prostitution itself (the exchange of sexual services for money) is legal, but associated activities (such as public solicitation, operating a brothel or other forms of pimping) are criminal offences."

There's an older guy at my work that is known for visiting saunas no one really cares. Providing there's no pimp involved and its the persons choice then i don't see a problem with it. Up to them.

[FlyingJesus]

Yeah as far as I'm aware the law in England is very similar if not the same ie: it's not illegal to pay someone for sex or receive payment for sex, but advertising it or having it as an actual business is. Very strange wording that basically means it's dangerous for all involved for no apparent reason

[-:Undertaker:-]

I would legalise on the condition that there was not a 'regulated' system put in place, something that would cost the taxpayer more money. I would also have to look into statistics on diseases from prostitution as to whether or not I would legalise as sadly with an NHS, the rest of the population would end up paying for the healthcare of those with poor morality and dangerous 'work'.

Ideologically I would legalise it just as I would legalise drugs as I do not think the state should have a right to interfere in the lives of the subjects or citizens. However, it does become the business of the state with national healthcare when the state (taxpayer) is paying for the consquences of stupidity.

[FlyingJesus]

It's not dangerous work if it's regulated properly, that's kinda the point