Sex Work Marches Towards Legality

[RestlessSoul]

I have grave misgivings about the power balance implicit in prostitute/client relationships, and would question the degree to which sex work is ever likely to be genuinely consensual. I suspect a lot of psychological damage is getting done here to at least one party; indeed, may already have been done. These are just my own personal, probably entirely emotive, views.

That said, prostitution is often referred to as the “oldest profession”, which says a lot about how effective criminalising it is ever going to be. Of course sex work should be properly regulated, in order to provide maximum support, protection, and if requested, rehabilitation, of the people involved in it.

Prohibition never works. Americans should know that better than anybody; it didn’t work for booze, it didn’t work for gambling, it certainly isn’t working for drugs. Why on earth should it work for prostitution ?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I prefer the concept of going after and re-education of the “buyers”. Although, it may be that they are mostly men, it’s not about hating men. At least I don’t hate men.

They are almost totally men. Women don't need to pay for sex. When they do, it's usually some fantasy thing and they hire a escort. It's men who pick up male hookers, too.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I definitely lean libertarian and favor greater liberty.
It seems though that traditionally the burden of prison or fines has fallen on the prostitutes who are victims of their circumstances, pimps, traffickers and even customers who demand an use them as a commodity .
I think it goes without saying that traffickers and pimps should be prosecuted. I would prefer to see ...


“Enforcing laws criminalizing buyers and changing social norms around the harms associated with the illegal sex industry is the fastest and most just response to the problems of prostitution and sex trafficking. It’s why communities across America are devising innovative ways to discourage men from buying sex—and holding them accountable if they do. No buyers, no business: a simple concept that’s bringing about real change.”
End Demand for Sexual Exploitation - Demand Abolition


Sex Trafficking: Who Are The Men Who Drive The Demand? – DVM For Hope

I never understood why they arrest the hooker but not the john.

 

[Subduction Zone]

You can't possibly be trying to say that laying sod is as bad as letting some stranger (who may be disgusting physically and otherwise, as well as have STDs) **** you orally, vaginally and/or anally. I mean, I hate my job but I'm not going to insult victims of this by saying it's as bad as having my body and dignity violated from the inside out.

It is only a matter of degree. Some people give away years of life in the work that they pursue.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

It is only a matter of degree. Some people give away years of life in the work that they pursue.

Unless they had to **** their boss, that's not a good analogy.

 

[Revoltingest]

I prefer the concept of going after and re-education of the “buyers”. Although, it may be that they are mostly men, it’s not about hating men. At least I don’t hate men.

Sounds like "re-education camps" like China would use.
Also reminds me of A Clockwork Orange.
Hatred of men is a bit extreme a characterization. But
putting women on a pedestal, wanting them to be chaste,
& seeing men as lustful perps is a very common thing.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I never understood why they arrest the hooker but not the john.

There are "reverse stings" sometimes. Every few years there is a story locally about a massage parlor that was closed through raids where it was reopened by the police.

That does not stop men. Prostitution laws do not stop women. The oldest profession is not going to go away that easily.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Unless they had to **** their boss, that's not a good analogy.

Sorry, it is.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Sorry, it is.

No, it's not. It's highly offensive. You obviously don't understand what you're talking about here and are apparently thinking of it from the perspective of a hetero male. I'm not talking about male escorts servicing women.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I have grave misgivings about the power balance implicit in prostitute/client relationships, and would question the degree to which sex work is ever likely to be genuinely consensual. I suspect a lot of psychological damage is getting done here to at least one party; indeed, may already have been done. These are just my own personal, probably entirely emotive, views.

That said, prostitution is often referred to as the “oldest profession”, which says a lot about how effective criminalising it is ever going to be. Of course sex work should be properly regulated, in order to provide maximum support, protection, and if requested, rehabilitation, of the people involved in it.

Prohibition never works. Americans should know that better than anybody; it didn’t work for booze, it didn’t work for gambling, it certainly isn’t working for drugs. Why on earth should it work for prostitution ?

Have you read the article that I provided about New Zealand's laws? Decriminalization does at least give the woman legal protection. That does a lot to change the balance of power. It is much harder to victimize a woman when the law is on her side.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

There are "reverse stings" sometimes. Every few years there is a story locally about a massage parlor that was closed through raids where it was reopened by the police.

That does not stop men. Prostitution laws do not stop women. The oldest profession is not going to go away that easily.

I know it's not going to stop men who don't respect women in the first place.

 

[Subduction Zone]

No, it's not. It's highly offensive. You obviously don't understand what you're talking about here and are apparently thinking of it from the perspective of a hetero male. I'm not talking male escorts servicing women.

No. you are letting yourself be highly offended. You are dealing with this problem emotionally instead of rationally.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I know it's not going to stop men who don't respect women in the first place.

Oh please You can do better than that. This is just pathetic.

Respecting women includes protecting them from abuse. There is a solution to that. Prostitution is not going away.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

No. you are letting yourself be highly offended. You are dealing with this problem emotionally instead of rationally.

No, it's because I know about trauma and how common it is among the people who trade sex for favors. Having to open to your body up to some stranger, who knows nothing about you and views you as an object, just to survive is very traumatic.

 

[Kenny]

Of course, regulated sex work would include safe practice.
Trafficking is very different from professional sex work.
The first is slavery, the 2nd is business.
Don't go all socialist on me...claiming that business is slavery.

But the pimps say they are their "working girls". Bought and paid for and don't try to take one of them for your business endeavors.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Oh please You can do better than that. This is just pathetic.

Respecting women includes protecting them from abuse. There is a solution to that. Prostitution is not going away.

No, what's pathetic is you defending this and downplaying the harms.

 

[Kenny]

Decriminalizing is a step towards fighting trafficking.

I think we should decriminalize weapons, it will stop murder.

 

[Subduction Zone]

No, it's because I know about trauma and how common it is among the people who trade sex for favors. Having to open to your body up to some stranger, who knows nothing about you and views you as an object, just to survive is very traumatic.

And you ignore why the trauma is there.

It is not due to dealing with strangers, it is due to the abuse that comes from pimps and customers that they cannot say no to.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I think we should decriminalize weapons, it will stop murder.

Bad logic, murder will still exist. The topic was trafficking, not the act of prostitution. Try again.

 

[Revoltingest]

But the pimps say they are their "working girls". Bought and paid for and don't try to take one of them for your business endeavors.

If business were legal & above board, pimps would
appear to have less power over workers.