Is prostitution an honorable occupation?

[Jayhawker Soule]

Because I believe that the question of whether prostitution is an honorable or dishonorable occupation focuses all of the potential "blame" on the prostitute and therefore is inherently unfair.

I do not find that to be at all true. One can abhor prostitution as dishonorable while being fully cognizant of the prostitute as victim and of the psycho-socio-economic forces that perpetuate prostitution. But, in my opinion, that awareness is neither promoted nor supported by prettifying the 'occupation'.

 

[Aqualung]

I do not find that to be at all true. One can abhor prostitution as dishonorable while being fully cognizant of the prostitute as victim and of the psycho-socio-economic forces that perpetuate prostitution. But, in my opinion, that awareness is neither promoted nor supported by prettifying the 'occupation'.

That's a good point. I hadn't made that distinction when I initially answered the thread.

 

[lilithu]

I do not find that to be at all true. One can abhor prostitution as dishonorable while being fully cognizant of the prostitute as victim and of the psycho-socio-economic forces that perpetuate prostitution.

You can. But when this is discussed in the general public, do you find that approach taken?

But, in my opinion, that awareness is neither promoted nor supported by prettifying the 'occupation'.

I'm not prettifying the occupation. I'm rejecting the blanket judgment in either direction because imo the question itself focuses our attention on the prostitute and not the psycho-socio-economic forces.

I do agree that asking this question and then calling prostitution "honorable" does nothing to promote awareness of the situation.

 

[ayani]

i don't think it's honorable, no. but i also don't think that a person who chooses or is forced into prostitution should be demeaned or devalued for the work they do. i remember talking to one woman in town who was considering prostitution for a number of reasons : lack of money, lack of other options, and loneliness. i don't think that voluntary prostitution should be illegal, by the way. but i do find it sad, and demeaning.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It depends on the intention. If you do it to get rich, especially the letting a rich person keep you/marry someone rich, it is dishonorable. If you do it as a normal job for some extra cash, or a rich relative happens to let you move in, or you marry a rich person because you actually love them, then I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Buttercup]

I'm not prettifying the occupation. I'm rejecting the blanket judgment in either direction because imo the question itself focuses our attention on the prostitute and not the psycho-socio-economic forces.

But, who considers the psycho-socio-economic forces to decide if a job at McDonalds is honorable? It's not necessary.

 

[s2a]

Which of these occupations do you think is an honorable way to earn a living? Why?

Hmmm...

This question begs of many further legitimate inquiries to follow...

1) Is "earning a living" an establishment of an "honorable" status?

2) What was Mahatma Gandhi's "occupation"?
What was Jesus' "profession", and what "earned living" did He evince in being "honorable"?

3) Is an unpaid (or uncompensated) painter, sculptor, musician, author, or teacher--"earning an honorable living"? How so, or not so?

4) A plumber provides a skilled service (involving physical labor) for monetary compensation. Is this an "honorable" profession? How does this particular skill fundamentally differ from the one offered by a prostitute?

5) Is sexual prostitution fundamentally a "dishonorable" profession? Why?

6) Do paid assassins qualify as being "honorable" within their profession, if they consistently fulfill their contractural obligations?
What of ordinary soldiers in times of war?

7) Are CEO's of major corporations "earning an honorable living" when they fire thousands of employees in order to satisfy requisite profit margins, or shareholder expectations?

Answer me those questions, and then I may better answer whether or or not there is any "honor" in "earning a living" by the varied options you offer as example...

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Hmmm...

This question begs of many further legitimate inquiries to follow...

1) Is "earning a living" an establishment of an "honorable" status?

2) What was Mahatma Gandhi's "occupation"?
What was Jesus' "profession", and what "earned living" did He evince in being "honorable"?

3) Is an unpaid (or uncompensated) painter, sculptor, musician, author, or teacher--"earning an honorable living"? How so, or not so?

4) A plumber provides a skilled service (involving physical labor) for monetary compensation. Is this an "honorable" profession? How does this particular skill fundamentally differ from the one offered by a prostitute?

5) Is sexual prostitution fundamentally a "dishonorable" profession? Why?

6) Do paid assassins qualify as being "honorable" within their profession, if they consistently fulfill their contractural obligations?
What of ordinary soldiers in times of war?

7) Are CEO's of major corporations "earning an honorable living" when they fire thousands of employees in order to satisfy requisite profit margins, or shareholder expectations?

Answer me those questions, and then I may better answer whether or or not there is any "honor" in "earning a living" by the varied options you offer as example...

What a load of petty sophistry that was. :slap:

 

[Buttercup]

1) Is "earning a living" an establishment of an "honorable" status?

Sure, why not? We can assign moral value to anything we like. However, if we're going to play the category game, I'd suggest we add a third choice....Neutral.

2) What was Mahatma Gandhi's "occupation"?
What was Jesus' "profession", and what "earned living" did He evince in being "honorable"?

These two would fall under "Soul Cleaners". I'd rate that as an honorable profession. If your primary occupational motive is to help your fellow man while sacrificing your own comforts, I'd say that falls under honorable.

3) Is an unpaid (or uncompensated) painter, sculptor, musician, author, or teacher--"earning an honorable living"? How so, or not so?

I'd rate all of these except teacher as Neutral. A painter, sculptor, author or musician first work to please themselves and others second. That on my moral barometer ranks as a Neutral. Generally teachers enter their profession for the love of teaching others or the love of children. They receive a bit more of a nod and rank as Honorable.

4) A plumber provides a skilled service (involving physical labor) for monetary compensation. Is this an "honorable" profession?

I'd rank skilled service people as Neutrals.

5) Is sexual prostitution fundamentally a "dishonorable" profession? Why?

I'd rank general prostitution as Neutral although there are other factors to consider on both sides regarding hurting others. But, for the purpose of this thread I'd rank prostitution as Neutral. When others are being hurt either emotionally or physically, I'd rank it dishonorable.

6) Do paid assassins qualify as being "honorable" within their profession, if they consistently fulfill their contractural obligations?

Any person who is hired to take the life of another when not for self defense or in times of war ranks Dishonorable.

What of ordinary soldiers in times of war?

Honorable

7) Are CEO's of major corporations "earning an honorable living" when they fire thousands of employees in order to satisfy requisite profit margins, or shareholder expectations?

Dishonorable...harming others. Occupation may have started as Neutral however.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

In some parts of the world and in some ages.
Prostitutes... a poor word for them... Have been highly trained and very highly skilled to give extreme Pleasure and satisfaction. These are truly dedicated professionals and should not to be confused with people who do it as a last resort or are are forced into it.
Courtesans have often fallen into this group. Though in Europe it was often an innate skill rather than one acquired through aptitude and training.

No mere partner or wife or husband is likely to acquire this level of skill on their own.
So there will always be a demand for these specialists.
It is hard to make a judgement on their moral values

 

[Ever learning]

It´s a job and somebody has to do it. Clearly not my choice of profession but I know that there are people out there who do it because it pays good, helps to pay tuition and rent.

 

[lilithu]

But, who considers the psycho-socio-economic forces to decide if a job at McDonalds is honorable? It's not necessary.

I would not ask whether a job at McDonalds is honorable either. The question makes no sense to me.

I would, however, examine the socio-economic forces that cause a person to take a job at McDonalds.


I should have added in my response to Jay above that while there are male prostitutes, most are female. And I believe that judging the "honorableness" of the prostitute and not the "honorableness" of the "john" is another expression of sexism.

 

[Aqualung]

These two would fall under "Soul Cleaners". I'd rate that as an honorable profession. If your primary occupational motive is to help your fellow man while sacrificing your own comforts, I'd say that falls under honorable.

Such as, for example, prostituting your body to support your disabled parents?

 

[lilithu]

It´s a job and somebody has to do it.

Why? I'm not judging whether it's "honorable" or "dishonorable," "good" or "bad." But I do question the idea that it is "necessary."

 

[Reverend Rick]

I would, however, examine the socio-economic forces that cause a person to take a job at McDonalds.

I would examine why a person would think that they have no responsibility to educate themselves or learn a trade? The sad facts are, if you have no life skills, you are lucky to have any employment period.

My 15 year old daughter just started her first job at McDonalds. She has opened a bank account and is saving 100% of her wages. This is her idea. She asked me for money to go to a football game and I told her, "you just got a paycheck". She said, my money is going in the bank. I am proud of her.

The social economics of McDonalds is, this is a kid's place of employment or a way for a retired person to enhance their income. NO ONE should look at a minimum wage job as a means of fully supporting themselves.

To think that way would be akin to starting a walk across a desert without any water.

 

[Engyo]

What a load of petty sophistry that was. :slap:

OK, so then we should infer that physically screwing one person at a time is dishonorable, but financially screwing thousands or millions at once is honorable? I think that is where s2a was going. That is sophistry?

 

[Booko]

I voted for the first three. I don't consider the last two to be occupations.

"Kept by rich person" -- sure it is. Ever watch the musical "Gigi"? It was the family business.

 

[Zephyr]

I would examine why a person would think that they have no responsibility to educate themselves or learn a trade? The sad facts are, if you have no life skills, you are lucky to have any employment period.

My 15 year old daughter just started her first job at McDonalds. She has opened a bank account and is saving 100% of her wages. This is her idea. She asked me for money to go to a football game and I told her, "you just got a paycheck". She said, my money is going in the bank. I am proud of her.

The social economics of McDonalds is, this is a kid's place of employment or a way for a retired person to enhance their income. NO ONE should look at a minimum wage job as a means of fully supporting themselves.

To think that way would be akin to starting a walk across a desert without any water.

Once again, I must agree with you. My first job was a $9/hour lifeguarding gig. The work was monotonous and I'd really rather not have to go back to it, but the money I earned is doing me wonders now that I'm in college studying to become a music teacher.

As for the topic on hand, I stand pretty neutral. I don't see too much of a problem with it, but if my sister were to become a prostitute, I'd really have to slap her upside the head good. I have to have some family pride in there somehow.

 

[s2a]

What a load of petty sophistry that was. :slap:

Why Jay...you wound me to the core. I thought I indulged some artfully discriminating sophistry there...

By the way...what pointless commentaries have you offered thus far that specifically address the OP?

Let's weigh things for balance...in keeping with the high ideals of a purely "logical" debate...

1) Petty sniping and abject dismissals lobbed safely from the sidelines absent any stated position...

...or...

2) Rhetorical inquiries that touch upon legitimate contrasts of emotion-laden perspectives?

May the scales of justice in fair measure prevail...

;-)

 

[Smoke]

Answer me those questions, and then I may better answer whether or or not there is any "honor" in "earning a living" by the varied options you offer as example...

Nothing personal, but that would really be a whole lot of trouble for what I'd get out of it.