What can we do to end prostitution?

[Mike182]

sorry, i have not read the responding posts in this thread, but i support legalizing prostitution, on the basis that i have the right to sell my body if i so choose.


legalizing prostitution will have several advantages than leaving it how it currently is, because at the moment, women who turn to prostitution (and men) are at the mercy of their custom, where as if it were conducted in government run, security checked facilities, along with full workers rights, prostitutes will be protected, the ones that are on drugs can recieve help to get off drugs, and many may have diseases which they can get medical help for - plus the garuntee of protection, if the prostitute wishes.

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

It does amaze me that war is acceptable in certain cases, and often even brought on in the name of one God or anther, but sex is considered so forbidden and taboo. If we reversed these beliefs, I think the world would be a much better place.

 

[Polaris]

It does amaze me that war is acceptable in certain cases, and often even brought on in the name of one God or anther, but sex is considered so forbidden and taboo. If we reversed these beliefs, I think the world would be a much better place.

Who ever said sex is forbidden? I would actually argue that sex is commanded within the proper bounds... God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. As with all things though there are bounds to sex. Even science would support that uncontrolled sex is bad.

Also are you suggesting that choosing to go to war is NEVER acceptable?

 

[Polaris]

And your proof that this is due to prostitution? :sarcastic
And since when where we discussing Arkansas?

Oops, I meant to say Louisiana... sorry about that.

You're right I can't prove that Nevada's high crime rate is due to prostitution, but you can't prove that its not, and evidence and reason suggest that it very well may at least be a contributing factor.

- Nevada is the only state that has legalized prostitution.
- Nevada is one of the few states with legalized casino gambling.
- Nevada is not a high-poverty state.
- Nevada has the number 1 crime rate in America.

The point is, if Nevada is our shining example of legalized prostitution, then I have good reason to be against it.

 

[kai]

i think it should be legalised and regulated at the moment in the UK most prostitutes are their to feed drug habits the health issues are horrendous. its been around since civilization began and isnt going to go away ,i think the everyone involved would be safer , healthier if it was regulated.

 

[Polaris]

Not everyone who goes to a prostitute is a pervert. I suspect a lot of them are just lonely, and there's nothing perverted about that.

Hi MB, while I respect your opinions on many issues, this is one where I definitely disagree. Someone who is lonely needs a friend not a prostitute. Only those looking for some temporary hormonal fix go to a prostitute.

I think everybody has responsibilities toward the people they interact with, sexually or otherwise. However, the notion that sex ought to be forbidden in the absence of a lifetime commitment is arbitrary and unfair, and strikes me as far more perverted than most of the sexual behaviors I've heard of. In other words, prostitution is easily more natural and less perverted than chastity.

Again I'll have to kindly disagree. I'm a firm believer that the strength of any nation or society is directly related to the strength of its family values. I believe that prostitution is extremely detrimental to such family values, which are (at least should be) based on a lifetime commitment of love, loyalty, and integrity.

 

[retrorich]

Hi MB, while I respect your opinions on many issues, this is one where I definitely disagree. Someone who is lonely needs a friend not a prostitute. Only those looking for some temporary hormonal fix go to a prostitute.

So how do you know what other people need and/or are looking for? Are you ominscient, as God is alleged to be?

Again I'll have to kindly disagree. I'm a firm believer that the strength of any nation or society is directly related to the strength of its family values. I believe that prostitution is extremely detrimental to such family values, which are (at least should be) based on a lifetime commitment of love, loyalty, and integrity.

Are you making that up, or is George W. Bush dictating it to you?

 

[Polaris]

So how do you know what other people need and/or are looking for? Are you ominscient, as God is alleged to be?Are you making that up, or is George W. Bush dictating it to you?

Well you've got the shallow sarcasm down, now do you have any logical arguments that can actually refute my points? For example if you could explain how going to a prostitute really helps someone whose lonely for more than the 20 minute encounter, you'd have a decent start.

 

[gnomon]

You bet, I would argue that anyone who sees sex a simply some sort of self-gratifying activity that bears no commital responsabilities whatsoever is perverted.



According to Crime State Rankings 2006 (www.morganquitno.com), Nevada has once again earned the title as the "Nation's Most Dangerous State" and has actually held that honor for 3 years running. "Nevada struggles with crime and other problems... Its violent crime rate was up nearly 18% in the five years from 2000 to 2004, while nationally, violent crime rates have decreased 8%." And I'm sure that legalized gambling and prostitution have absolutely nothing to do with it... right?

The same web site shows crime also dropped 2% in Nevada. Also,

http://bjsdata.ojp.usdoj.gov/dataonline/Search/Crime/State/RunCrimeOneYearofData.cfm

Here is the DOJ Bureau of Statistics information on violent and property crimes for all 50 states and D.C. Just based off of numbers there are several states which easily appear to be more violent than Nevada. Florida, Maryland, South Carolina and New Mexico.

Also, the same website you quoted (which, by the way, is relying on the FBI's Uniform Crime Report 2004 statistics) points out that explosive population and economic growth is worth considering when trying to understand the growth in crime. Las Vegas alone has exploded as a an economic powerhouse.

To even claim that legalized prostitution is responsible for the crime rates without drawing any direct comparisons is somewhat misleading and actually a non-sequitar.

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

Who ever said sex is forbidden? I would actually argue that sex is commanded within the proper bounds... God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. As with all things though there are bounds to sex. Even science would support that uncontrolled sex is bad.

Also are you suggesting that choosing to go to war is NEVER acceptable?

Yes, but I'm an idealist.

As for sex. Yes, there are bounds. Marriage, is not the institution that modern society has placed on it. Marriage is a promise to love, honor and charish another person. In the days of old, a Jewish wedding was not considered complete until a child was concieved. The bible doesn't say that we can only have one spouse. I feel the choice to be in a monogamous or polygamous relationship, or to be celibate, is entirely up to the people involved. As long as all parties love honor and cherish each other, there is no thing there that goes against God's word.

 

[Polaris]

The same web site shows crime also dropped 2% in Nevada.

True, but that doesn't mean too much considering it's still had the highest crime rate in the nation the last three years straight.

Also,
http://bjsdata.ojp.usdoj.gov/dataonline/Search/Crime/State/RunCrimeOneYearofData.cfm

Here is the DOJ Bureau of Statistics information on violent and property crimes for all 50 states and D.C. Just based off of numbers there are several states which easily appear to be more violent than Nevada. Florida, Maryland, South Carolina and New Mexico.

Also, the same website you quoted (which, by the way, is relying on the FBI's Uniform Crime Report 2004 statistics) points out that explosive population and economic growth is worth considering when trying to understand the growth in crime. Las Vegas alone has exploded as a an economic powerhouse.

You raise a valid argument, but its clear that something about Nevada seems to attract dangerous people.

To even claim that legalized prostitution is responsible for the crime rates without drawing any direct comparisons is somewhat misleading and actually a non-sequitar.

I don't believe that legalized prostitution is completely responsible for the crime rates. I'm sure there are many factors involved, including those you mentioned, but I do believe that legalized prostitution does contribute. I just think its a little alarming that so many people are on the "legalize prostitution" bandwagon when the only state that has actually implemented such a notion is the nation's leader in crime rate.

 

[Fluffy]

Don't end prostitution! There is nothing wrong with paying for sex nor is there anything wrong with being a prostitute. I am definitely for legalising it so that those who run underground businesses can be outcompeted and those who are legitimate can be regulated.

Child prostitution is a different matter, however, and people who partake in it should be prosecuted as anyone who abuses a child should be.

 

[retrorich]

Well you've got the shallow sarcasm down, now do you have any logical arguments that can actually refute my points? For example if you could explain how going to a prostitute really helps someone whose lonely for more than the 20 minute encounter, you'd have a decent start.

No. I actually enjoy shallow sarcasm.

 

[Smoke]

Again I'll have to kindly disagree. I'm a firm believer that the strength of any nation or society is directly related to the strength of its family values. I believe that prostitution is extremely detrimental to such family values, which are (at least should be) based on a lifetime commitment of love, loyalty, and integrity.

I fail to see what prostitution has to do with building a family.

 

[Polaris]

I fail to see what prostitution has to do with building a family.

You're right prostitution has nothing to do with building a family. It has more to do with the destruction of families and family values. Two problems in particular:

1. It's not unheard of for prostitutes to get pregnant and attempt to raise children under those circumstances.
2. You'd be naive to think that prostitution isn't involved in the destruction of families on either side of the coin.

Sure you could argue that if it got that far the family was already bound for destruction, but I argue that prostitution, especially legalized prostitution, just provides easy access to infidelity. There are plenty of people who don't cross that line because of the potential legal ramifications. Legalizing prostitution will only engender further sexual promiscuity and facilitate infidelity, which will only have negative consequences.

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

Prostitution is not legal everywhere in Nevada; Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe still have it illegal. So any "action" that you may get in these cities will be high-risk in more ways than one.

It is only in certain counties in Nevada where prostitution is legal. State law forbids legal prostituion in counties which have a population over a certain number (hence the big cities are out); the remaining counties may have legal brothels, at local option. Not all do.

Street-solicitation is illegal; only in licensed establishments can you legally meet a Lady of the Night. Condoms are required, by law, even for oral sex. And the women are required to get regular medical checkups.

The crime rate in Nevada is more likely contributed to the gambling and people loosing everything they have, and not because of the legalized prostitution.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

1. It's not unheard of for prostitutes to get pregnant and attempt to raise children under those circumstances.
2. You'd be naive to think that prostitution isn't involved in the destruction of families on either side of the coin.

:clap

 

[MaddLlama]

There are plenty of other things that break up families too, infidelity doesn't have a monopoly on being the cause of divorce. Should we make a list of all of the things that do, and could potentially ruin a family and work to stop them as well? I mean, why single out prostitution? If the family is so important it should be protected at all cost, and any threat to it should be dealt with accordingly, right?
Besides, I'm sure prostitution doesn't make up 100% of instances of martial infidelity. Again, why single it out? To stop it we should also segregate the workplace - no female administrative assistants, no people of the opposite sex working together. Actually, maybe married people should only spend time with people of the same sex other than thier spouse, and we should designate places for dating and not allow married people in. We'll segregate the whole country to make sure those families stay together and infidelity is a thing of the past.

If prostitution was legal and these women were protected under the law, then she wouldn't have a problem raising children. It's the law that hurts the woman and her child, it doesn't protect them.

 

[MaddLlama]

I don't believe that legalized prostitution is completely responsible for the crime rates. I'm sure there are many factors involved, including those you mentioned, but I do believe that legalized prostitution does contribute. I just think its a little alarming that so many people are on the "legalize prostitution" bandwagon when the only state that has actually implemented such a notion is the nation's leader in crime rate.

Well, the state didn't always have legalized prostitution. Maybe in order to prove your point you should compare current crime rates to the crime rates before the law was passed, and see if there is any connection at all.

 

[Polaris]

There are plenty of other things that break up families too, infidelity doesn't have a monopoly on being the cause of divorce. Should we make a list of all of the things that do, and could potentially ruin a family and work to stop them as well?

One big problem with your argument here: prostitution (everywhere but in certain counties in Nevada) is currently already illegal. We don't have to stop anything. I'm arguing that the law concerning this shouldn't change. Why would anyone want to make a conscious, active, effort to legalize something that is harmful to families and society?

I mean, why single out prostitution? If the family is so important it should be protected at all cost, and any threat to it should be dealt with accordingly, right?
Besides, I'm sure prostitution doesn't make up 100% of instances of martial infidelity. Again, why single it out?

Because it's the topic of this thread. Otherwise, I wouldn't single out prostitution, I'd fight against anything that is destructive to families.

To stop it we should also segregate the workplace - no female administrative assistants, no people of the opposite sex working together. Actually, maybe married people should only spend time with people of the same sex other than thier spouse, and we should designate places for dating and not allow married people in. We'll segregate the whole country to make sure those families stay together and infidelity is a thing of the past.

You're argument just doesn't hold any water in my view. The whole objective of prostitution is sexually related. I'm not sure what your work environment is like, but where I work there aren't women going around trying to arrange a one-night-stand with the male employees.

If prostitution was legal and these women were protected under the law, then she wouldn't have a problem raising children. It's the law that hurts the woman and her child, it doesn't protect them.

It's not the law that hurts the women, it's the women's choice to break the law that hurts the women.