Is Everyone a Prostitute?

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

Don't we all put out for something in return. It doesn't have to be "prostitution" in the traditional sense. Just something to think about.

 

[Ori]

Yes, I believe everyone puts out for something, even if the return is not for yourself, but for the greater good.

 

[Ceridwen018]

Exactly--

Teachers are paid to teach: Prostitution of the mind.
Construction workers are paid to opperate machinery, lift rocks, etc.: Prostitution of the body.
Some women are paid for sex: Prostitution of the body.

The only reason why sexual prostituiton is illegal is because of religiously founded moral issues. I have no desire to become a prostitute, and even if it is someday made legal I think sexual prostitution will never be a preferred job, but I have no problem with it being made legal. if anything, it would help to improve a lot of things.

 

[Melody]

Websters Main Entry: prostitute
1 : to offer indiscriminately for sexual intercourse especially for money
2 : to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes


Answer's.com Entry: prostitute
1 : One who solicits and accepts payment for sex acts.
2 : One who sells one's abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose.

Wikipedia's Entry: prostitute
1 : the sale of sexual services, such as oral sex or sexual intercourse, for money. <snip for brevity>
2 : In a more general sense of the word, anyone selling their services for a cause thought to be unworthy can be described as prostituting themselves.


I would disagree that a construction worker or teacher are prostituting themselves since they do not fit the "unworthy purpose".

 

[michel]

I know that you are perfectly right, Melody; for the sake of the thread though, I think it not too 'out of the way' it is to adopt this 'name' for the action, as it is presented.


I was going to come up immediately with one ot two examples of things that people do that are not a form of prostitution. Thinking about it though, I suppose there is still a 'gain' for the 'giver' - I was thinking of Charity work, mainly.

I remember when I was a member of the 'Samaritans' here in England, when a delightful public figure - a Lady, was invited to one of our monthly meetings. Of course, Me being me, I have no recollection of who she was - but I remember the content of her message - which had validity.

Why do you become a Samaritan ? someone had asked - there were various replies, including the predictable "because I want to help others", or "To help the suicidal and lonely through long nights" - But this celebrity came out with a perfect answer : "because I am nosy. I love to hear about other people, how they live, what makes them tick." and, of course she had a point - there is in all of us a little figment of "I wonder how it feels to be feeling like........."

Another one I was going to throw into the melting pot was that of people who help transport patients to hospital - or people who take hot meals out to the elderly. But there again, there may well be a degree of a silent "I feel good today, because I helped someone".

Which messes up my intent good and proper!:biglaugh:

 

[Melody]

I know that you are perfectly right, Melody; for the sake of the thread though, I think it not too 'out of the way' it is to adopt this 'name' for the action, as it is presented.

So the thread should be "If we change the meaning of prostitution to mean an exchange of services for money, is everyone a prostitute?"

How can we have any type of meaningful debate if we willy nilly change the definitions to whatever we choose?

 

[turk179]

So the thread should be "If we change the meaning of prostitution to mean an exchange of services for money, is everyone a prostitute?"

How can we have any type of meaningful debate if we willy nilly change the definitions to whatever we choose?

When it is considered to be a hypothetical debate. Not everything that is discussed on RF is cut and dry, to the point, to the exact definition.

To answer the question, I had a brother in law who said he always "did nice things for people to see what I can get out of the deal." That is quoted word for word because he used to say it all the time. I always thought that was pretty shallow thinking on his part. I like to do things for other people because it makes me feel good. I guess either way we are both getting something out of it.

 

[Melody]

When it is considered to be a hypothetical debate. Not everything that is discussed on RF is cut and dry, to the point, to the exact definition.

And that's not a problem as long as we know that at the beginning of the debate. The purpose of a definition is to make sure everyone is debating the same thing. If we throw out the definition and do not define what definition we're using, the debate becomes meaningless.

So, at this point I'm going to assume that the definition has been adapted to include the trade of anything for anything else. In which case, my cat prostitutes herself everytime she rubs up against my leg and meows when her food dish is empty.

 

[michel]

So the thread should be "If we change the meaning of prostitution to mean an exchange of services for money, is everyone a prostitute?"

How can we have any type of meaningful debate if we willy nilly change the definitions to whatever we choose?

I am sorry, Melody, you are quite right; *slaps himself on the wrist for not having thought of that*. But since the thread has gone so far, I hope you can forgive us 'erring' - it seems a shame to cut the thread at this point. But you are perfectly right, of course.

 

[Valjean]

PFM is clearly using an extended definition to get us to consider that many of the features of sexual prostitution are not unique to the profession, and are common to many honorable trades.

Ceridwen summed up my views on the subject nicely.

 

[Melody]

PFM is clearly using an extended definition to get us to consider that many of the features of sexual prostitution are not unique to the profession, and are common to many honorable trades.

Ceridwen summed up my views on the subject nicely.

But using this definition, does not *everything* prostitute itself for everything else? If not, what are the parameters? I'm a bit lost since I'm not quite sure what the definition is.

 

[Valjean]

But using this definition, does not *everything* prostitute itself for everything else?

I think this is exactly PFM's point, Melody.

Discounting a Puritainical objection to all things sexual, what features of sexual prostitution really distinguish it from any other trade?

 

[anders]

I would disagree that a construction worker or teacher are prostituting themselves since they do not fit the "unworthy purpose".

And who's deciding what's "unworthy"? Imagine a person feeling that (s)he's mentally or physically crippled, to the extent feeling that no "normal" physical relations are possible, would it be "unworthy" for that person to buy sexual services? (I'm for example thinking of a very famous and beloved Swedish poet.) I accept most any deals between two (or more) legally competent subjects.