Is prostitution acceptable?

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

It has to be a "maybe" for me, in the real world prostitution has pretty much gone on for millennia but that doesn't make it right. Slavery has as well, but we wouldn't hesitate to denounce it as wrong (would we?).

If it is a person making the choice to become a prostitute not out of economic necessity - they have other choices - then fine I say. Why the hell shouldn't they be allowed to make that choice? It serves a need in human culture, there is always a demand for it. As long as there are rights and protection for the sex workers, no worries there.

However, many people who end up as sex workers, especially in poorer nations, are very probably being exploited because they are hard up and the choice of further education and/or other "career" choices are not open to them.
If we weren't such selfish greedy wretches, we'd distribute the wealth more evenly across the world so "economically disadvantaged" people would have other choices. I wonder how many then would still opt for a life in the sex industry? I suspect the numbers would be far fewer, though I can't prove that of course. It is a pretty seedy world, and carries inherent risks for the people engaged in it. I can't help but think the women involved (and lets be honest, the vast majority are women) would prefer the option of further education and/or "regular" career choices if given the choice.

 

[Maponos]

It's immoral and a cancer on civilized society.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

It's immoral and a cancer on civilized society.

How so?

 

[Maponos]

How so?

STDs, human trafficking, promiscuity, infidelity, etc.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

STDs, human trafficking, promiscuity, infidelity, etc.

Sure, some of those are a problem when it's illegal. I think it should be legalized and controlled to protect the rights and health of sex workers. Promiscuity and infidelity will happen, regardless.

 

[DavidFirth]

Sure, some of those are a problem when it's illegal. I think it should be legalized and controlled to protect the rights and health of sex workers. Promiscuity and infidelity will happen, regardless.

How will you protect them from AIDs and stop them from spreading it?

How many people on here want their family to do it?

 

[jonathan180iq]

We live in a Capitalistic society, making almost all things valuable commodities that can be purchased or sold. In many places, it's illegal to collect the rain water from your own roof or yard - so let's not be prudent about the value of things when it's convenient for argument's sake.

If a Lady wants to sell her "product", she should have every right to do so. No giving her that right, and protecting her well-being and health in the process is more wrong than being morally objected to someone else's behavioral choice.

BEFORE IT'S ASKED: Do I think my daughter should get into "The Business"? No. Of course not. It's not the greatest thing in the world - but it's no more inherently wrong than a man thinking he has a right to pork her because he bought her some jewelry and took her on a nice date, is it? If you think prostitution is so morally reprehensible, I'd like to hear you explain how it's any different than thinking a woman owes you sex because you were nice to her a few times last week...

Legal prostitution is healthy prostitution. Madams can protect their ladies from unruly gents. Health screenings can be done ahead of time, just like permits for gun ownership, and lots of negative emotions can be purged with a little sensual serotonin release. It's certainly better than pretending like we don't already live a society where high school students aren't finger-cuffing each other ever chance they get...

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

How will you protect them from AIDs and stop them from spreading it?

How many people on here want their family to do it?

STDs can be controlled by mandating that they wear condoms and have health checks.

I don't see how the second question is relevant.

 

[Laika]

Voted "No". Personally, I think Prostitution is not acceptable as it a form of degradation and comes close to being "rape" because money acts as a form of coerced consent. However, I do believe it should be legal as the lesser evil than allowing it to go on outside of the law. If you can't stop it from happening, at least make it safer.

 

[Mister Silver]

I voted "yes".

 

[oldbadger]

Yes..... prostitution is acceptable.

In the UK it is not unlawful for a man or woman to receive money, gifts or other benefits for sex.

And supporting prostitution is like supporting other types of work. I support anybody's right to work in, say, mines, but would prefer not to, myself.

 

[oldbadger]

Voted "No". Personally, I think Prostitution is not acceptable as it a form of degradation and comes close to being "rape" because money acts as a form of coerced consent.

Middle aged widow notices gorgeous young body builder, makes friends, buys him presents, takes him to expensive restaurants and 'lays' with him.

Middle aged widow notices gorgeous young body builder, and offers him £300 to lay with her. He 'lays' with her.

Is there any difference? Did he get raped in either scenario?

 

[Electra]

Hm ... I see that 'prostitution' or 'sensual conversationest' (still working on that) is more then sex, most (all) want out of the transaction, to feel special/wanted, be able to share openly with no judgement, be open with what they want sexualy, affection (kissing, cuddle, ect) , have someone to be consistant, someone to pay attention to them, someone to spend time with/ go out/ go on holidays, someone to talk to/text/call.
To I, I am sick of hearing such as, 'in a perfect world there would be no prostitution' because this role will always be needed, maybe in a perfect world there would be no 'money' exchange but neither would there be for anything.
If this service was more open and sociely acceptable it would HELP the black net/underground services to transform, dwindle away.
Underage sex traficing is a different story but this will help as most people like to visit to feel, 'in control' ...

 

[DavidFirth]

STDs can be controlled by mandating that they wear condoms and have health checks.

I don't see how the second question is relevant.

Well, I would expect to see at least a few - since the service provided is so right, healthy and good.

 

[Laika]

Middle aged widow notices gorgeous young body builder, makes friends, buys him presents, takes him to expensive restaurants and 'lays' with him.

Middle aged widow notices gorgeous young body builder, and offers him £300 to lay with her. He 'lays' with her.

Is there any difference? Did he get raped in either scenario?

If the young body builder needs the money and wouldn't sleep with the middle aged widow otherwise, yes. Prostitution isn't as simple as acting on free will, as if you are poor or heavily in debt and therefore "need" the money that can be an over-riding concern over what a person actually wants to do.

 

[oldbadger]

If the young body builder needs the money and wouldn't sleep with the middle aged widow otherwise, yes.

What!!! ? This young body builder didn't need the money..... he's a billionaire's playboy son! He just gets kicks out of more mature women and laying with them for gifts, money and other benefits!
Please don't make my prostitute a destitute desperate person.

Prostitution isn't as simple as acting on free will, as if you are poor or heavily in debt and therefore "need" the money that can be an over-riding concern over what a person actually wants to do.

Ah..... here we go...... poor and in debt...... driven to doing horrible things for a crust of bread.

I have known a rent boy who a Dutch Bank Director liked so much that he took him back to Holland. The Rent boy ran away with the banker's eldest daughter, they had four children together and he's now got more grandchildren than a football team needs. Still lives in the same town as we do.
I have known a woman who lived down the street and did 'cleaning' for gentlemen in the richer part of town. One of the merriest folks you could ever meet.

The picture of a drug driven frightened teenager risking her life on a dirty dark street corner is real as well...... I knew a female commercial detective who caught the running kids as they left the trains at Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations. She worked for a Charity Org. Amazing woman. She often picked out runners who would interminggle with family groups to get clear of those stations and into the back streets. I met her at an Institute of Investigators seminar. We ate lunch together. But, honestly, she had no time to discuss the moral issues of prostitution...... she was too busy saving kids. But she believed in freedom of choice for adults..... including prostitution.

 

[The_Fisher_King]

Well?

I say yes. I believe in self-ownership and sexual freedom. I think it should be legalized to protect the rights of sex workers and their safety.

I voted 'maybe'. If it's a free, informed choice, and no coercion is involved (within reasonable bounds), yes on both moral and legal grounds.
If not, it's a no on both counts.

 

[The_Fisher_King]

How many people on here want their family to do it?

I don't want any of my family members to be prostitutes (or to pay for sex) any more than I want them to be, oh, I don't know, teachers, say.

But if you're asking whether it would be acceptable to me if they made this choice (and weren't already in a relationship with somebody for whom that would be a problem), sure, I don't have a problem with that.

So, if, hypothetically, my mother were no longer in a relationship with my father and either not in a relationship at all or in a relationship with someone else who didn't have a problem with it, and she was making a free, informed choice, without any coercion on her part, I'd say go for it.

EDIT: Ditto my father. Or sister. Or brother. Etc.

 

[oldbadger]

I voted 'maybe'. If it's a free, informed choice, and no coercion is involved (within reasonable bounds), yes on both moral and legal grounds.
If not, it's a no on both counts.

Yes, exactly.
You could apply the above to window-cleaners.
It's OK if it's a free informed choice, but if they want to coerce folks into having clean windows, then 'NO'!

 

[oldbadger]

Voted "No". Personally, I think Prostitution is not acceptable as it a form of degradation and comes close to being "rape" because money acts as a form of coerced consent..................

Is it prostitution if a person has sex with another in order to get advantage in a career or profession?
Is it prostitution if a person has sex with another because they have a luxury yacht and great wealth?
Is it prostitution if a person has sex with anotyher after a lovely night out with free dinner and gifts?

Is it any different if one person offers another a gift of any kind for sex?

There is a small African country where middle aged UK women go for holidays. They are met at the airport by masses of young men offering to be guides, security and friendship during their holidays. Is that OK?