Should prostitution be legalized?

[Undesired Walrus]

For one I just think paying for sex doesn't help women feel better about themselves, it even exarcebates the whole issue of women being treated as objects and goods.

Before the argument comes up, let's remember under this legalisation men would be able to be prostitutes as well. But I'd like to point out that the overwhelming history of humanity has female prostitution in the majority over males.

That big stamp on history alone shows what women are seen as by the un-educated male.

 

[Pardalis]

What qualifies as "questionable behavior?"

I'm an avid real-money poker player. I also occasionally enjoy other casino games, like blackjack and roulette. What's wrong with that?

It becomes questionable when it becomes an addiction. My beef is when the governement profits from the public's misfortunes.

 

[tsg]

OK, but I haven't really thought this issue through, I do think the legalizing proponents have good arguments, like it could lead to better control (I'm not quite sure how it works in Denmark, if it did make a difference).

For one I just think paying for sex doesn't help women feel better about themselves, it even exarcebates the whole issue of women being treated as objects and goods.

Shouldn't that be up to the woman? We're not talking about forcing women to be prostitutes.

There's also the whole issue of adultery, which has more to do with my own personal values I admit.

I would think that is a matter for a husband and wife to work out. Adultery isn't against the law and I'm not sure it's a valid reason to keep prostitution illegal.

I don't know about the US, or specifically Nevada, but here in Québec The provincial government regulates gambling, which to me is hypocritical. Gambling has generated alot of problems in our society, addiction and broken families and so forth.

Very many people gamble responsibly, though. Should they be prohibited from gambling because some can't handle it?

 

[tsg]

I'm with Pardalis on this.

A cliched argument it may be, but what young girl announces that when she grows up she will want to go into prostitution?

What young man announces that when he grows up he will want to be a sewer worker? Should we not allow people to be sewer workers?

 

[Careyp74]

Or drive it underground. Or drive it to states that don't tax it. Think New "Live Free or Die" Hampshire, with no sales tax. Or Texas, with no income tax. Nevada only taxes it at the local level - no sales tax (and, of course, the pros pay their income tax).

How would crack whores report their taxable income? Would they keep ledgers?

March 13, 2008

Income:
Four rocks.

One from guy named "John" for BJ
One from guy named "John" for 69
Two from guy named "John" for golden shower.
​

Expenses:

Bic lighter - $2.98
Condoms - $5.99

​

I can't believe i am going to start this argument, but here it goes: getting crack rocks for sex is bartering, not prostitution, so it is neither illegal, nor taxable.

 

[BPSCG]

For one I just think paying for sex doesn't help women feel better about themselves, it even exarcebates the whole issue of women being treated as objects and goods.

Is it the government's business to make sure women choose a profession in which they feel good about themselves? If so, why?

There's also the whole issue of adultery, which has more to do with my own personal values I admit.

You don't need a prostitute to commit adultery; ask Bill Clinton.

I don't know about the US, or specifically Nevada, but here in Québec The provincial government regulates gambling, which to me is hypocritical. Gambling has generated alot of problems in our society, addiction and broken families and so forth.

There is no such thing as an unalloyed social good.

 

[Cleon]

For one I just think paying for sex doesn't help women feel better about themselves, it even exarcebates the whole issue of women being treated as objects and goods. There's also the whole issue of adultery, which has more to do with my own personal values I admit.

There's some truth to this, but there are also sex workers (not just prostitutes, but also strippers, porn actors, phone sex operators, etc) who are quite confident, enjoy what they do, and so forth.

But even if that wasn't the case, is "doesn't help women feel better about themselves" a good reason to keep it illegal?

I don't know about the US, or specifically Nevada, but here in Québec The provincial government regulates gambling, which to me is hypocritical. Gambling has generated alot of problems in our society, addiction and broken families and so forth.

The same could be said for everything from alcohol to the Internet.

 

[kosai]

OK, but I haven't really thought this issue through, I do think the legalizing proponents have good arguments, like it could lead to better control (I'm not quite sure how it works in Denmark, if it did make a difference).

This is very important, not something to brush over. The government's job is not moral judge, it's things like the CDC promoting things that help prevent the spread of disease. Registering and routine testing of prostitutes has shown to be very effective. I've heard there has never been a transmission of HIV inside of a legal brothel in Nevada (I don't have a source but if you'd like me to look for one I will.)

For one I just think paying for sex doesn't help women feel better about themselves, it even exarcebates the whole issue of women being treated as objects and goods. There's also the whole issue of adultery, which has more to do with my own personal values I admit.

Then don't pay women for sex. You don't like the market, then don't give them your money. If a woman doesn't want to have that job nobody would be forcing her. The option already exists, most people know the option exists just it is now illegal. It's a little sexist to suggest there would only be female prostitutes.

I don't know about the US, or specifically Nevada, but here in Québec The provincial government regulates gambling, which to me is hypocritical. Gambling has generated alot of problems in our society, addiction and broken families and so forth.

Government should regulate, not participate. OR if they want to play in the market they must allow competition and try to effect the market that way. Just because something is addictive for some people does not mean it's addictive for everyone. As Cleon pointed out, and I too, love to gamble. I am an avid poker player. I also know how to use promotions in Las Vegas to come out ahead on my vists there. Those promotions are created because there is a healthy market. I could never come ahead on state lotteries because they are so unfair. The internet itself is addictive. It's broken families and caused some problems for society too. I don't think you would promote outlawing it because it causes problems for some.

 

[pgwenthold]

Should the poverty and trafficking that force women to become prostitutes be legal?

You want to make poverty illegal?

You gonna throw poor people in jail?

 

[Pardalis]

What young man announces that when he grows up he will want to be a sewer worker? Should we not allow people to be sewer workers?

Sewer workers are useful to society, quick sex for a quick buck is not.

omg, I just sounded like a communist!

 

[Undesired Walrus]

What young man announces that when he grows up he will want to be a sewer worker? Should we not allow people to be sewer workers?

Instantly comparing prostitution to sewer work shows what we are dealing with here.

 

[Cleon]

It becomes questionable when it becomes an addiction. My beef is when the governement profits from the public's misfortunes.

Gambling addiction is bad, I'll certainly agree with you there. There are few types of addiction that aren't--but you'll have to pry my caffeine out of my cold, dead hands.

But then, it's the addiction that's the problem. How is gambling itself questionable?

 

[BPSCG]

I can't believe i am going to start this argument, but here it goes: getting crack rocks for sex is bartering, not prostitution, so it is neither illegal, nor taxable.

I hope you don't prepare your tax returns on that basis, because the IRS disagrees.

 

[Wowbagger]

Make it legal. But, have a system in place to keep it disease free. Not sure what sort of system would work, though.

Actually, it might make sense to have a law where married people would not be allowed to participate in prostitution, unless they have consent from their spouse. Prostitution is usually a victimless "crime", but in the case of married couples, the spouse could conceivably be considered a "victim".

And, of course, keep it illegal for children.

 

[pgwenthold]

A cliched argument it may be, but what young girl announces that when she grows up she will want to go into prostitution?

How many announce that when they grow up, they want to clean rooms at hotels?

I guess we should make hotel housekeeping illegal, then.

 

[BPSCG]

Sewer workers are useful to society, quick sex for a quick buck is not.

Au contraire - if it were valueless to society, society wouldn't pay for it.

omg, I just sounded like a communist!

Okay, say three Hail Marys and a Milton Friedman. Go, and sin no more.

 

[pgwenthold]

Instantly comparing prostitution to sewer work shows what we are dealing with here.

I don't get your point?

No one ever claimed that prostitution must be a great job, or even a desirable occupation.

The issue is whether it should be made illegal, not whether it should be considered glorious.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

The same could be said for everything from alcohol to the Internet.

This is a very good point.

The difference is that both those things can demean and devalue the man. The alcohol cannot know it is being abused.

 

[Pardalis]

Is it the government's business to make sure women choose a profession in which they feel good about themselves? If so, why?

I don't think that was the argument I was making.

It's like gambling and drugs, I'm just not sure the government should make these things that obviously lead to very bad things legal. Maybe it's just me but I don't see any benefit these things bring to the individual and society. Legalizing them is like endorsing them in a way.

But these are not issues I have thought over in great detail, I admit.

 

[pgwenthold]

Sewer workers are useful to society, quick sex for a quick buck is not.

So change it to a fry cook at McDonalds.

How many girls claim they want to be a fry cook at McDs?

I'd argue that such a position is not only not useful to society, but actually harmful.