Why Prostitution Should be Legal

I'm not necessarily opposed, however...

Hubert Farnsworth said:

The legalization of prostitution would greatly benefit society, save many lives

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Sex work is a vector for spreading STD's, some of which are debilitating and/or deadly. What have been the results in countries and places where it has been legalized? Whose system worked the best for preventing the spread of STD's?

Hubert Farnsworth said:

and prevent many instances of abuse.

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Maybe. The jury is still out on whether it solves more abuse cases than it causes. I have heard positive and negative views on the results of experiements with it. Unfortunately people like to sexually abuse other people, so abusive actions will remain underground. How does legalizing prostitution bring them under scrutiny?

Hubert Farnsworth said:

Prevention of pimping and human trafficking: Women who are being abused by pimps would no longer be afraid of facing prosecution for prostitution, and thus would be more inclined to report pimps to law enforcement. This is because, consensual prostitution would be a legalized activity, but pimping would be strictly illegal. Thus, pimping would decrease.

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Its true that this allows any sex worker to report anyone as a pimp without being arrested for sex work. Many enjoy the pimping of people. Its not just the money, and criminal gangs will continue to operate, using drugs and other means to keep sex workers under their thumb. Guys will still pimp out wives, daughters etc. That's the history of the world. We aren't talking about a complete end to pimping, and so pimps will probably adapt rather than disappear.

Hubert Farnsworth said:

Reduction of rape: There is strong evidence to suggest a substantial reduction in rape and sexual abuse in areas where prostitution has been legalized. (see: Legal prostitution zones reduce incidents of rape and sexual abuse | HuffPost)

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That is good news, but it requires more than a huffpost article to confirm it.

Hubert Farnsworth said:

Prevention of violent crime, shootings, and terrorist attacks: There have been many tragic and horrible terrorist attacks and shootings that have been committed by deranged, involuntarily celibate men. In fact, close to half of mass shootings are committed by men who are involuntarily celibate. Thus, if prostitution (always in a consensual context) were an option, it is very possible that many of these horrendous tragedies could be prevented.

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Most are celibate not because they couldn't find a prostitute but for other reasons. Prostitutes are available everywhere, operating beneath the gaze of the public. I encounter them in many places where prostitution is illegal. I've encountered them in several southern states. All you would need to do is look for a connection, someone who is involved in anything illegal and ask them. Often if you stay in a hotel overnight you'll get a knock on your door. Its not as if you have to put up a sign or advertise that you'd like a prostitute.

Hubert Farnsworth said:

As we can see, prevention of sexual abuse and violent crime are excellent reasons to legalize prostitution. I believe that the legalization of prostitution would save many lives and prevent many cases of abuse. It is an issue that needs to be raised in politics due to its immense potential for societal benefits. I believe that it is one of the most beneficial changes that could possibly be made in our society.

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It needs more data in our conservative country. People don't generally believe in making large changes to society without compelling evidence that its necessary.

Brickjectivity said:

It is legal in some states, and therefore it is effectively legal. All you have to do is travel.

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As far as I know, it is only legal in a couple of rural counties in Nevada, not entire states.

Quintessence said:

Well, any inclination I had to entertain such ideas has flown completely out the window with renewed assaults on women's rights in my country. The last thing we need right now are yet more policies that reinforce the notion that women are property and second-class citizens.

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In fact, making prostitution illegal is an infringement on women's rights. A woman should be able to set the terms and conditions for having sex with her. Some women may incorporate money into those terms and conditions. Thus, by making prostitution a crime, you are restricting women's rights, since a woman cannot fully consent to sex unless she sets all of the terms and conditions (which could theoretically involve money) for access to her body.

Hubert Farnsworth said:

The legalization of prostitution would greatly benefit society, save many lives, and prevent many instances of abuse. Sadly, it seems to be a taboo conversation in the political world, compared with, say, the legalization of pot. However, it is much more important and beneficial for society for prostitution to be legalized than for drugs to be legalized. Here is my list of the most important reasons for why the legalization of prostitution would benefit society.

-Prevention of pimping and human trafficking: Women who are being abused by pimps would no longer be afraid of facing prosecution for prostitution, and thus would be more inclined to report pimps to law enforcement. This is because, consensual prostitution would be a legalized activity, but pimping would be strictly illegal. Thus, pimping would decrease.

-Reduction of rape: There is strong evidence to suggest a substantial reduction in rape and sexual abuse in areas where prostitution has been legalized. (see: Legal prostitution zones reduce incidents of rape and sexual abuse | HuffPost)

-Prevention of violent crime, shootings, and terrorist attacks: There have been many tragic and horrible terrorist attacks and shootings that have been committed by deranged, involuntarily celibate men. In fact, close to half of mass shootings are committed by men who are involuntarily celibate. Thus, if prostitution (always in a consensual context) were an option, it is very possible that many of these horrendous tragedies could be prevented.

As we can see, prevention of sexual abuse and violent crime are excellent reasons to legalize prostitution. I believe that the legalization of prostitution would save many lives and prevent many cases of abuse. It is an issue that needs to be raised in politics due to its immense potential for societal benefits. I believe that it is one of the most beneficial changes that could possibly be made in our society.

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It's the oldest profession in the world,well I feel it's gonna go on wither its legal or not,so why not make it legal ?

Hubert Farnsworth said:

The legalization of prostitution would greatly benefit society, save many lives, and prevent many instances of abuse. Sadly, it seems to be a taboo conversation in the political world, compared with, say, the legalization of pot. However, it is much more important and beneficial for society for prostitution to be legalized than for drugs to be legalized. Here is my list of the most important reasons for why the legalization of prostitution would benefit society.

-Prevention of pimping and human trafficking: Women who are being abused by pimps would no longer be afraid of facing prosecution for prostitution, and thus would be more inclined to report pimps to law enforcement. This is because, consensual prostitution would be a legalized activity, but pimping would be strictly illegal. Thus, pimping would decrease.

-Reduction of rape: There is strong evidence to suggest a substantial reduction in rape and sexual abuse in areas where prostitution has been legalized. (see: Legal prostitution zones reduce incidents of rape and sexual abuse | HuffPost)

-Prevention of violent crime, shootings, and terrorist attacks: There have been many tragic and horrible terrorist attacks and shootings that have been committed by deranged, involuntarily celibate men. In fact, close to half of mass shootings are committed by men who are involuntarily celibate. Thus, if prostitution (always in a consensual context) were an option, it is very possible that many of these horrendous tragedies could be prevented.

As we can see, prevention of sexual abuse and violent crime are excellent reasons to legalize prostitution. I believe that the legalization of prostitution would save many lives and prevent many cases of abuse. It is an issue that needs to be raised in politics due to its immense potential for societal benefits. I believe that it is one of the most beneficial changes that could possibly be made in our society.

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Legalizing prostitution would stop human trafficking?

Lyndon said:

Because its a disgusting and degrading act to the prostitute, and is hardly consensual since it is only done when money is involved.

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And yet the prostitutes don't think so. Their customers do not seem to think so. This is the sort of thinking of those that want to control others. And I do all sorts of things for money. Sex is not one of them. So when I go to work it is not consensual according to you.

PureX said:

That's the part they never seem to get. If you have to PAY for consent, it's not really consent, is it. It's just the appearance of consent for moral and legal purposes.

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I am going to use this argument when I sue my employer.

Lyndon said:

the Johns are not innocent, they're sick perverts.

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Sounds like the voice of experience to me.

I am guessing that there are a few types that go to prostitutes. The socially inept and lonely, the hyper-sexed person for whom one partner is never enough. I am sure that there are others. None of those appear to be "sick perverts" to me.

PureX said:

Pedophiles think it should be the child's call whether they consent to having sex with an adult or not. But as a society we don't allow that because we understand that children aren't able give informed consent. And we also understand that adults WILL take advantage of them for their own sexual pleasure even though it causes the child harm that the child may not immediately understand or recognize, so that they have to be protected. I'm saying that the same is true of men or women trapped in poverty giving effectively forced consent to prostitution just to survive. As it is also true for men or women caught in a drug addiction, or in a psychological illness due to a history of past child emotional and/or sexual abuse. And studies have shown that a very large portion of prostitutes suffer from one or more of those conditions.

You seem to imagine that the only factor to consider is this magical "consent" that has to be coerced with money. And I'm trying to point out that consent is NOT the fundamental factor to be considered. The well-being of those involved, is. And because sex so often involves some degree of coercion and domination it requires special vigilance within any society to keep everyone reasonably protected. And the idea of "consent" by itself is not going to provide that measured and complex vigilance.

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Moving the debate to pedophilia demonstrates that one has lost. Pedophilia is wrong because it is thought that there can be no informed consent at that age. If two adults agree to something it is assumed that there is informed consent. If a woman is being forced into a relationship by a pimp, which still should be illegal, it is the duty of the state to prove that she was forced. Her testimony is often good enough. With a child the legal standard is changed. It is assumed that it is informed consent and the person charged would have to clear some might tall hurdles to prove otherwise.

KenS said:

Legalizing prostitution would stop human trafficking?

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"Human trafficking" appears to be largely a myth. Most of the ladies at massage parlors appear to have willingly come to this country. Do you remember the Kraft case? It was ballyhooed as a crackdown on trafficking. Though it did not get nearly the coverage the prosecutor has admitted that there was no trafficking.

KenS said:

Legalizing prostitution would stop human trafficking?

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I did not say it would *STOP* human trafficking, I said it would reduce it and gave a good argument for why it would. Currently, a woman who is being pimped out cannot report her pimp to law enforcement for fear of being prosecuted herself. This is a serious problem. Also, empirical evidence (from many other sources, as well) indicates legalization reduces the incidence of rape. If you would like to discuss this, why don't you address each portion of my original post and explain why you agree or disagree.

Hubert Farnsworth said:

As far as I know, it is only legal in a couple of rural counties in Nevada, not entire states.

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I searched. There are at least five in Las Vegas. "Girl Collection" gets a four star yelp review.

Subduction Zone said:

"Human trafficking" appears to be largely a myth. Most of the ladies at massage parlors appear to have willingly come to this country. Do you remember the Kraft case? It was ballyhooed as a crackdown on trafficking. Though it did not get nearly the coverage the prosecutor has admitted that there was no trafficking.

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God help us!

More than 120 children rescued following human trafficking sting

just a tip... ignorance in this is no excuse!!

Hubert Farnsworth said:

I did not say it would *STOP* human trafficking, I said it would reduce it and gave a good argument for why it would. Currently, a woman who is being pimped out cannot report her pimp to law enforcement for fear of being prosecuted herself. This is a serious problem. Also, empirical evidence (from many other sources, as well) indicates legalization reduces the incidence of rape. If you would like to discuss this, why don't you address each portion of my original post and explain why you agree or disagree.

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My niece went to Pakistan where prostitution is a way of life... even with children!!! Legalization of pure degradation doesn't stop anything. IMHO. Sure it reduces rape... it is now legal. IMV, you should protect women and not legalize harm! Call me conservative if you want

Hubert Farnsworth said:

The legalization of prostitution would greatly benefit society

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This is the part of your argument that needs support. It can't just be about maybe decreasing human trafficking. You must show that it would greatly benefit society, not just the outliers and the unknowns but the housewife, the husband, the single women, the single man, the children etc. Otherwise it doesn't greatly benefit the whole of society just those outliers that society ignores, such as the drug addicts and the poor.

joe1776 said:

Nevada is the only state with legal prostitution.

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Also some people aren't willing to travel that far to do the nasty with an average looking girl with more mileage ridden on her than your average 2nd hand car from 1985.

People in America act like chlamydia isn't a thing

KenS said:

My niece went to Pakistan where prostitution is a way of life... even with children!!! Legalization of pure degradation doesn't stop anything. IMHO. Sure it reduces rape... it is now legal. IMV, you should protect women and not legalize harm! Call me conservative if you want

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I hear that there are places where women do their prison time as prostitutes.

KenS said:

God help us!

More than 120 children rescued following human trafficking sting

just a tip... ignorance in this is no excuse!!

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Oh my! There goes another irony meter. So do you really think that 120 children were trafficked? That was only what FAUX News said,. This time they included a link that put the lie to their headline:

"Three cases were identified as being possible sex trafficking cases, and one homeless teen was transported back to the command post after it was discovered that he had not had anything to eat in three days. He was then debriefed and turned over to Child Protective Services for aftercare. "

That was three possible cases out of 123. Not 123 cases of human trafficking. You need to realize that the news loves to blow these stories out of proportion.

New USMS Child Recovery Unit Recovers 123 Children During 1-Day Operation

And your face palming ability has been revoked.

EDIT: Please note, there were only three possible cases you acted as if there were 120 confirmed cases. You should have taken a lesson from Kraft and Florida. Police will claim that there is trafficking. They get federal money for that. It seems to be on short supply when one looks for actual cases. And this was a double fail for you. Tell me, were we discussing legalizing child prostitution? That is a double revocation of face palming use.

Just a tip: Ignorance is not an excuse!

KenS said:

My niece went to Pakistan where prostitution is a way of life... even with children!!! Legalization of pure degradation doesn't stop anything. IMHO. Sure it reduces rape... it is now legal. IMV, you should protect women and not legalize harm! Call me conservative if you want

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And you concede the debate again. You need to learn the difference between informed consent and coercion. In the U.S. at least we understand that concept. And Thailand use to be a destination country for pedophiles. They did not go by informed consent there. The U.S. got wise to that, though now it appears from this thread that there are multiple other countries that those people can go to. Cases where there is no informed consent need to be kept illegal. But we are not discussing that here.

Brickjectivity said:

This is the part of your argument that needs support. It can't just be about maybe decreasing human trafficking. You must show that it would greatly benefit society, not just the outliers and the unknowns but the housewife, the husband, the single women, the single man, the children etc. Otherwise it doesn't greatly benefit the whole of society just those outliers that society ignores, such as the drug addicts and the poor.

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How about the argument that (1) prostitution is not immoral because there is no innocent victim and (2) It's immoral to make criminals of people who are behaving morally?