what do you think? is 16 ok or should it be 18 or 21?
In the U.S., the age of majority is 18 for most things.
So, should the
johns be carded? That seems like a detail few would think of, but an 18-year-old minimum limit for them seems noncontroversial.
But just thinking about this a little more, so many other questions arise.
Would age limits be the same for young male customers as it would be for the small number of young women who want these services?
Would all forms of prostitution be allowed, or only the more easily regulated venues such as brothels? Would regulations distinguish between call girls, escorts, and street prostitutes? How about regulations for where these businesses can be located? Not within 100 meters of a church or school, for example?
Should prostitutes be licensed? Would they have to document their citizenship status? Would there be the same laws for male prostitutes as for female prostitutes? If they are freelancers, how do we know that the income they report on their tax returns is accurate?
Do you keep out pimps and madams? How? What kinds of labor protections would be guaranteed? Can these workers be organized? Could there be chains of franchises across the country, or would this violate the Mann Act? Do the workers get pensions or are they supposed to make their own retirement arrangements? Can these businesses advertise? Where and where not (such as public airwaves)?
Would states have to prepare for such decriminalization by increasing the staff and budgets for their health departments? How much would decriminalization or legalization save on police budgets?
What would be the unintended consequences for other, currently legal businesses in the sex industry? For example, would strip clubs move toward more debauchery in order to compete?
Would married johns be liable for adultery? How would this affect divorce proceedings?
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COYOTE