The Oldest Profession In The World: Yea Or Nay

[dianaiad]

That's pretty specific. What do you think?

There is no such thing as harmless prostitution. Never mind 'sin.' It demeans the women and the men both, and spreads STD's like serin gas in a subway. It turns sex into a commodity, to be bought and sold. There are VERY few cultures that had prostitutes which had any sort of respect; I can only think of two, and I'm not really certain of one of those.

 

[Revoltingest]

. . . with that nose?

Size matters.

 

[dianaiad]

Legal prostitution zones reduce incidents of rape and sexual abuse!

Legal prostitution zones reduce incidents of rape and sexual abuse | HuffPost

American Economic Association

Excuse me, but the Huff and Puffington post is so far left that I wouldn't trust it to tell me the sky is blue over the red states.

What if one only pays for "happy endings"?

er...how would one define happy endings, and if defined, judge when one occurs?

Is a 'happy ending' the fairy tale one of 'and they married and lived happily ever after?" Shoot, THAT'S been happening for millenia. Most of the marriages contracted by the extremely wealthy and the 'upper class' was more about the property exchanged than the parties involved. "Marrying for money" is prostitution no matter which party has the money. And it is degrading to both the women and the men involved.

 

[dingdao]

Imo prostitutes should be routinely medically examined, monitored, registered and licensed by the state in order to prevent the spread of V.D. as well as for the prostitution industry to generate revenue for the state, which could use this revenue for human health services. ...

Sounds like the best bet. I don't see demand going away any time soon.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

.

Religious and safety considerations aside, what are your thoughts about a woman or man having sex for money? That is, having sex for money that would in no way adversely affect the person.

(Some of the words here have been put in bold because some respondents are missing these key qualifications)


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Assuming as you say, it would be a matter of personal choice that, as a third party, is none of my business. Under the outlined conditions, I would be OK with someone making this personal choice. I am not going to do it, but then, the market that would be interested in me, would scare the heck out of me and probably not be the market I am interested in.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

So where did you answer my question: "Religious and safety considerations aside, what are your thoughts about a woman or man having sex for money?"? You didn't because you couldn't do it. You had to disregard the "safety considerations aside." and the condition that "having sex for money that would in no way adversely affect the person."

It's like taking an algebra test: "Find y in 7(y+4)-3(y-5)=6y+35," and deciding not to include the y-5 because you didn't like it.


No you didn't, for which you get a gold star.

.

That equation was not in the study guide.

 

[Revoltingest]

er...how would one define happy endings, and if defined, judge when one occurs?

Is a 'happy ending' the fairy tale one of 'and they married and lived happily ever after?" Shoot, THAT'S been happening for millenia. Most of the marriages contracted by the extremely wealthy and the 'upper class' was more about the property exchanged than the parties involved. "Marrying for money" is prostitution no matter which party has the money. And it is degrading to both the women and the men involved.

A "happy ending" is a metaphor for "climax".
Neither marriage nor wealth is required.

My advice to any who find prostitution, gay sex, porn, or wearing risque clothing degrading....
Don't engage in it.

 

[Earthling]

There is no such thing as harmless prostitution. Never mind 'sin.' It demeans the women and the men both, and spreads STD's like serin gas in a subway. It turns sex into a commodity, to be bought and sold. There are VERY few cultures that had prostitutes which had any sort of respect; I can only think of two, and I'm not really certain of one of those.

What two cultures are those?

 

[Polymath257]

Paying themselves to masturbate?

No matter how you cut it, using someone else's body just to pleasure yourself is wrong. Paying them doesn't change that because it doesn't mitigate the selfishness of it. And the fact that they wouldn't do it for free only underscores the abusive nature of it.

Ever watch spectator sports?

 

[dianaiad]

A "happy ending" is a metaphor for "climax".
Neither marriage nor wealth is required.

My advice to any who find prostitution, gay sex, porn, or wearing risque clothing degrading....
Don't engage in it.

Nice. That's a little like saying that any who find that defecating in the subway a health hazard to not engage in that, either. Prostitutes don't generally live long lives. Would YOU marry a prostitute? It has nothing much to do with morals. prostitution is a health hazard to all involved. Most immediately to the prostitutes; after all, some STD's are NOT easily curable, and even those that are can have some really nasty consequences. It is dangerous to the customers....and dangerous to those with whom the customers have sex...who did NOT pay for it, don't provide it for pay, and are unaware of the dangers of intercourse with those who have, because (whisper this) customers of prostitutes don't generally brag about that to their significant others.

Why?

Because if they did, those significant others would probably kick them out and refuse to have sex; a most reasonable reaction, actually.

As I said, I only know of two cultures in which prostitution was considered at all 'respectable,' and I'm not sure about one of them. If, in all human history, patriarchal or matriarchal, prostitution isn't considered to be a good thing, why on earth would it suddenly become one NOW?

there is no way a government can regulate prostitution to eliminate the health risks, the emotional risks or the relationship risks. All it can do is, perhaps, contain the problem. Perhaps.

But what do you think the prostitutes who fail the health checks will do? (and they all will, eventually)

Offer their services illegally?

Wait...think about that one.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Excuse me, but the Huff and Puffington post is so far left that I wouldn't trust it to tell me the sky is blue over the red states.


er...how would one define happy endings, and if defined, judge when one occurs?

Is a 'happy ending' the fairy tale one of 'and they married and lived happily ever after?" Shoot, THAT'S been happening for millenia. Most of the marriages contracted by the extremely wealthy and the 'upper class' was more about the property exchanged than the parties involved. "Marrying for money" is prostitution no matter which party has the money. And it is degrading to both the women and the men involved.

I see that you are unfamiliar with the slang. A "happy ending" is getting masturbated at the end of a massage session. There is practically no danger of passing on STD's in that activity. Much safer than oral, vaginal, or especially anal sex.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Nice. That's a little like saying that any who find that defecating in the subway a health hazard to not engage in that, either. Prostitutes don't generally live long lives. Would YOU marry a prostitute? It has nothing much to do with morals. prostitution is a health hazard to all involved. Most immediately to the prostitutes; after all, some STD's are NOT easily curable, and even those that are can have some really nasty consequences. It is dangerous to the customers....and dangerous to those with whom the customers have sex...who did NOT pay for it, don't provide it for pay, and are unaware of the dangers of intercourse with those who have, because (whisper this) customers of prostitutes don't generally brag about that to their significant others.

Why?

Because if they did, those significant others would probably kick them out and refuse to have sex; a most reasonable reaction, actually.

As I said, I only know of two cultures in which prostitution was considered at all 'respectable,' and I'm not sure about one of them. If, in all human history, patriarchal or matriarchal, prostitution isn't considered to be a good thing, why on earth would it suddenly become one NOW?

there is no way a government can regulate prostitution to eliminate the health risks, the emotional risks or the relationship risks. All it can do is, perhaps, contain the problem. Perhaps.

But what do you think the prostitutes who fail the health checks will do? (and they all will, eventually)

Offer their services illegally?

Wait...think about that one.

A person does not have to be married to a professional that does it for money in order to be married to a prostitute.

But from a strict matter of choice and under the conditions described in the OP, you would still be against the idea?

 

[Revoltingest]

Nice. That's a little like saying that any who find that defecating in the subway a health hazard to not engage in that, either. Prostitutes don't generally live long lives. Would YOU marry a prostitute? It has nothing much to do with morals. prostitution is a health hazard to all involved. Most immediately to the prostitutes; after all, some STD's are NOT easily curable, and even those that are can have some really nasty consequences. It is dangerous to the customers....and dangerous to those with whom the customers have sex...who did NOT pay for it, don't provide it for pay, and are unaware of the dangers of intercourse with those who have, because (whisper this) customers of prostitutes don't generally brag about that to their significant others.

Why?

Because if they did, those significant others would probably kick them out and refuse to have sex; a most reasonable reaction, actually.

As I said, I only know of two cultures in which prostitution was considered at all 'respectable,' and I'm not sure about one of them. If, in all human history, patriarchal or matriarchal, prostitution isn't considered to be a good thing, why on earth would it suddenly become one NOW?

there is no way a government can regulate prostitution to eliminate the health risks, the emotional risks or the relationship risks. All it can do is, perhaps, contain the problem. Perhaps.

But what do you think the prostitutes who fail the health checks will do? (and they all will, eventually)

Offer their services illegally?

Wait...think about that one.

There are solvable problems with prostitution.
And since it won't go away, I'd rather have it legal
so the problems can be addressed. It beats jailing
those who want it.
As for crapping in subways, there should be lavatories
where it can be done legally & safely...unless you oppose
crapping too. Well, it is gross.

 

[dianaiad]

What two cultures are those?

One includes the Greco-Roman period with Temple prostitutes; part of the religion. At the same time, Rome had the REALLY important women serving as priestesses...'vestal virgins,' whose main claim to power and respect was their...wait for it...virginity. They made vows of chastity for 30 years, beginning at puberty (or at 10-11 years). When their term of service was over, they retired, and marriages were generally arranged for them.

The temple prostitutes in the same culture were forbidden to marry or associate with anyone 'respectable,' and did not retire.

The only thing I could find that gave any 'sacred' prostitute any respect was the Code of Hammurabi, which assigned to 'sacred prostitutes" (but not any not assigned to, for instance, Astarte) the same legal protections married women had, and the same laws of inheritance for their children. Which of course raises the question of just how--busy--those sacred prostitutes were, if the fathers of the children could be identified for inheritance purposes...Hmmn.

ANYway, the other culture I was thinking of is Japan, and the "Mikos" who provided sex to their customers (before Europe...now they are called 'shrine maidens') and the Geishas, who COULD, but whose primary training and roles are to entertain, sing, dance, be witty and be really expensive accessories to wealthy men, not providing 'pillow service.' I have seen quite a few articles on the internet that confuse 'Miko" with 'Maiko." They are NOT the same.

So...we have the Code of Hammurabi, with its legal respect (but not necessarily social respect...though they were part of the religion) and Japan before the Europeans got hold of them. Right now I'm not all that certain which group is 'iffy' about offering respect. Certainly Geishas are held in huge honor and respect, but then they are very clear about what their duties do NOT include--even if they sometimes go 'above and beyond,' when they become emotionally involved with a client, or with their danna.

From what I have gathered, Maiko and Geisha are rather clear about what they will NOT sell...even though traditionally some sex is involved in the transition from one level to another.

The point here is, Geishas are given huge honor and respect, but they are NOT, they claim rather vehemently, prostitutes. the Miko were (and really, still are, underground) prostitutes and they are not accorded a whole lot of respect. At this point I'm not certain which culture I have issues with in regard to whether they 'really' respected prostitutes....

India? No, they didn't either.

 

[Jollybear]

I watched a documentary a long time ago about what porn stars go through. Now, i know there not prostitutes, but, they sorta are, kinda.

Well, anyway, they told the good, the bad and the ugly.

Well, one of the good parts is this, they do get tested and re tested to make sure diseases dont spread.

However, the bad part is they only get tested once per week or once per month. I dont remember which one it was because it was long ago since i seen it.

However, they said, that once per week/or month you could pick up a disease anytime in the middle of that and spread it around.

So, if one wer to make prostitution legal, youd have to get them tested after EVERY SINGLE CLIENT in order to he safe.

Kind of a headach dont ya think?

Plus, whats wrong with free sex with your spouse, plus the friendship that goes with it?

 

[Revoltingest]

Plus, whats wrong with free sex with your spouse, plus the friendship that goes with it?

It's not for everyone.
Who are we to say what 2 consenting adults cannot do?

 

[dianaiad]

I see that you are unfamiliar with the slang. A "happy ending" is getting masturbated at the end of a massage session. There is practically no danger of passing on STD's in that activity. Much safer than oral, vaginal, or especially anal sex.

Oh, goodness. You are correct. I wasn't familiar with the slang term. I wish I still weren't. it's still, IMO, degrading to both parties emotionally, I really do think. (shrug) but I suppose that it might be better than full on penetration...

But you need to realize that I have a rather special viewpoint on this sort of thing. Masturbation to orgasm, unless one uses latex or nitrile gloves, still exposes one to STD's. I have a compromised immune system, and the doctors were very unblushingly clear as to what I could and could not do from now on, from touching cat litter pans to cleaning up after my dog...and sex practices, which we both found embarrassing (am a nearly seventy year old, celibate widow). But the warnings are required by law, and I get them in very thick paperwork with one certain medication...which is an analog of thalidomide.

So...even with the 'happy ending" Brother, did you spoil a lot of my reading! ...one is exposed to disease, and in this case, some of the nastier ones. Better you get the massage without the extra, and go home....and make certain the batteries are new.

Better still, if you are blessed with one, go home and love your spouse.

 

[dianaiad]

A person does not have to be married to a professional that does it for money in order to be married to a prostitute.

Well, yeah, s/he does, since that is the DEFINITION of 'prostitute.'

From Mirriam-Webster:

a : a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse especially for money : whore
b : a male who engages in sexual and especially homosexual practices for money

IN other words, if someone is married to a professional who does it for money, s/he is married to a prostitute. If s/he is married to someone who no longer does it for money, or who does it for free, s/he is not married to a prostitute.

But from a strict matter of choice and under the conditions described in the OP, you would still be against the idea?

the clients always choose. The prostitutes seldom do. I certainly don't know any young person who puts "prostitute" in his/her list of 'what I want to be when I grow up." Do you?

And the OP doesn't have any conditions. All it does is beg the question of whether prostitution is ever harmless. I counter claimed...no. AND I provided evidence/argument for my claim. I haven't seen anybody show prostitution can be 'harmless."

 

[dianaiad]

There are solvable problems with prostitution.
And since it won't go away, I'd rather have it legal
so the problems can be addressed. It beats jailing
those who want it.
As for crapping in subways, there should be lavatories
where it can be done legally & safely...unless you oppose
crapping too. Well, it is gross.

There are many things that 'won't go away.' Theft, murder, rape, perjury, fraud, lying, really bad manners, bullying....do you think that making those things legal would fix them? Get a permit to go kill someone 'humanely,' perhaps? Assign a quota to thieves so that they only get fined if they rob too many houses, or the wrong ones? Like deer hunters, make rules that only the big bucks get shot?

If these things actually "went away,' there would be no need to have laws that forbade them, or regulated them. Laws are the culture's way of admitting that they exist, that people do them, and that they are harmful.

In the case of prostitution, the irony is that the 'criminals' are also the biggest victims...and their customers make them so. Consider that the 'john' (or 'jane,') is seldom held in the same contempt as the prostitute s/he hires.

On the other hand, if a woman makes it to the level of 'courtesan' or 'mistress' of a king, everything changes. At least in public. As soon as she loses her lover, she's toast, but for awhile?

Ah, well.

The point is that there is no such thing as harmless prostitution....and it is not about religion. it's about...the total lack of respect from others, and the lack of self respect, the health issues, the degradation and contempt given to those in the life; no. there is nothing harmless about it. Someone always gets hurt.

 

[Revoltingest]

There are many things that 'won't go away.' Theft, murder, rape, perjury, fraud, lying, really bad manners, bullying....do you think that making those things legal would fix them?

Those things aren't comparable because the
activity isn't voluntary for the injured party.
Prostitution involves consenting adults.

The point is that there is no such thing as harmless prostitution.

This is a personal view, & not shared by many who do it legally.

Btw, I believe that eating raw or undercooked meat is disgusting
& dangerous. But I wouldn't make it illegal for those who feel
otherwise, & take reasonable precautions. Tolerance when practical.