Is prostitution "immoral"?

[CynthiaCypher]

Are they forced to go into prostitution, or do they choose it?

I would say most are forced.

 

[CarlinKnew]

Prostitution is a reproductive strategy hardwired into the brains of many animals, including humans. It is the exchange of a chance to reproduce for food, protection, or other items of survival value (money). The reason that some people find prostitution immoral is that they subconsciously fear that their partner will engage in it, thereby increasing their own chance of contracting STDs, ruining their relationship, or raising a child that is not biologically their own.

 

[Revoltingest]

How about we look at what leads a women to enter this line of work? Research as shown that a vast majority of those who have entered into it were previously victims of sexual abuse. Prostitution is nothing but the continuance of sexual abuse.

If the relationship is voluntary, then how is it abusive?
Please explain your belief system & how you determine what is moral or immoral.

 

[Draka]

I would say most are forced.

You would say, but you don't know do you? Have you hit the streets and brothels and asked many why they got started? Anywho, being forced into anything is wrong, but what of those who honestly choose on their own to prostitute? What is it about prostituting, by itself, as an act, is "immoral"? Not the reasons one might get into it, but by itself.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Prostitution, porn, strip clubs, etc are not immoral inherently. Being a part of a patriarchal culture shows the impact of what patriarchy does.

If prostitution were considered a religiously sacred ritual, we wouldn't be arguing whether it's immoral. But the seediness we so often find that runs rampant is symptomatic of a much bigger problem.

The culture deems that people are to be used for production of some thing or some experience. Patriarchy deems that women are to be used sexually. But prostitution doesn't cause these problems....women were (still are in many circles) used sexually within the confines of marriage. Prostitution merely emphasizes the problems within such a social construct such as patriarchy.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

How about we look at what leads a women to enter this line of work? Research as shown that a vast majority of those who have entered into it were previously victims of sexual abuse. Prostitution is nothing but the continuance of sexual abuse.

I would say most are forced.

Wait - it seems like you're arguing two contradictory things here.

If women are going into prostitution because of a past history of sexual abuse, then they're not being forced (not by anything other than their own psyche, anyhow). If they're being forced into it by others, then their background or motivations aren't playing a role in becoming prostitutes, because the decision wasn't based on their own motivations at all.

 

[waitasec]

The reasons behind WHY someone considers it "immoral". Or did you not see where I asked "why or why not"? Since morality is subjective then there are different opinions of what is moral and what isn't and why those things are what they are.

there are things people just don't get i guess

 

[Father Heathen]

I would say most are forced.

Well, of course forced prostitution is immoral. That amounts to both rape and slavery; it victimizes and violates a person's rights.

We are, however, talking about the kind that involves consenting adults.

 

[Quintessence]

But is objectifying women inherent to prostitution or is it just a common habit of those who go to prostitutes?

I know this was a few pages back, but in addition to what Cynthia said in response to this comment...

This is a legitimate question to ask. Whether or not selling sex leads to objectification would in some sense depend on the nature of the sex at hand. In general, one can safely say that the person buying the product is not interested in the person as a person. They want the object. They want a product. In this respect, later comparisons to other service workers isn't entirely inappropriate. We often treat people as objects, or as means to an ends, rather than as persons. Certain occupations lend themselves to this objectification more than others, and prostitution is certainly one of them. That said, if prostitution becomes more about the art of making love and intimate emotional involvement, it doesn't have to be objectifying. A prostitute can still be seen as a person; this doesn't appear to be the norm of the practice currently. Perhaps if schools in the art of making love were reintroduced - if prostitution became something more akin to companionship or an escort service - it could be different?

As for habits of those who are partaking in such services - and this could be men or women - we can probably agree that repeating behaviors is self-reinforcing. Those who partake of prostitutes and treat them as objects perpetuate the notion (and acceptability) of treating a person as an object. We can legitimately ask "is it good for society to reinforce this idea?" The answer to that is probably a no.

 

[Draka]

I've tried to keep gender out of this entirely and just ask about prostitution, yet I think I've only seen one person point out that men can prostitute as well. Granted, it may not be as common, but it does happen. Perhaps because women, in general, are not seekers of sex like that so much as men, one would find probably more homosexual male prostitutes than heterosexual, but still...they do exist. What of males who prostitute? Is there any difference for them? Can't really use the same "degradation of women" arguments where they are concerned. Is it "immoral" for men who prostitute?

 

[CynthiaCypher]

You would say, but you don't know do you? Have you hit the streets and brothels and asked many why they got started? Anywho, being forced into anything is wrong, but what of those who honestly choose on their own to prostitute? What is it about prostituting, by itself, as an act, is "immoral"? Not the reasons one might get into it, but by itself.

From the literature I have read on the subject I would have to conclude that prostitution in most parts of the world is sexual slavery and in all parts of the world sexual exploitation.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Wait - it seems like you're arguing two contradictory things here.

If women are going into prostitution because of a past history of sexual abuse, then they're not being forced (not by anything other than their own psyche, anyhow). If they're being forced into it by others, then their background or motivations aren't playing a role in becoming prostitutes, because the decision wasn't based on their own motivations at all.

No I am not. I am saying that these women start off victims and their victimization continues

 

[waitasec]

Prostitution, porn, strip clubs, etc are not immoral inherently. Being a part of a patriarchal culture shows the impact of what patriarchy does.

If prostitution were considered a religiously sacred ritual, we wouldn't be arguing whether it's immoral. But the seediness we so often find that runs rampant is symptomatic of a much bigger problem.

The culture deems that people are to be used for production of some thing or some experience. Patriarchy deems that women are to be used sexually. But prostitution doesn't cause these problems....women were (still are in many circles) used sexually within the confines of marriage. Prostitution merely emphasizes the problems within such a social construct such as patriarchy.

here's another drop in to the ocean of frubals for you

excellent post.

 

[Draka]

From the literature I have read on the subject I would have to conclude that prostitution in most parts of the world is sexual slavery and in all parts of the world sexual exploitation.

Slaves don't get paid.

Pimping may be those things, but for the solo prostitute, who handles their own choice of clients and their own money, how is it anything but going into business for oneself? And what of professional brothels who not only pay their workers well, but offer benefits like insurance and such? They are valid employers that women willingly go to to apply for work.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Prostitution, porn, strip clubs, etc are not immoral inherently. Being a part of a patriarchal culture shows the impact of what patriarchy does.

If prostitution were considered a religiously sacred ritual, we wouldn't be arguing whether it's immoral. But the seediness we so often find that runs rampant is symptomatic of a much bigger problem.

The culture deems that people are to be used for production of some thing or some experience. Patriarchy deems that women are to be used sexually. But prostitution doesn't cause these problems....women were (still are in many circles) used sexually within the confines of marriage. Prostitution merely emphasizes the problems within such a social construct such as patriarchy.

I am with you on this.

 

[CarlinKnew]

Prostitution, porn, strip clubs, etc are not immoral inherently. Being a part of a patriarchal culture shows the impact of what patriarchy does.

If prostitution were considered a religiously sacred ritual, we wouldn't be arguing whether it's immoral. But the seediness we so often find that runs rampant is symptomatic of a much bigger problem.

The culture deems that people are to be used for production of some thing or some experience. Patriarchy deems that women are to be used sexually. But prostitution doesn't cause these problems....women were (still are in many circles) used sexually within the confines of marriage. Prostitution merely emphasizes the problems within such a social construct such as patriarchy.

To say that prostitutes are simply being used is to imply that they are not also gaining from their practice. On the contrary, they have the opportunity to accumulate wealth faster than other ordinary occupations. A few hours work can bring in more money than a middle class worker gets in a week.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Slaves don't get paid.

Pimping may be those things, but for the solo prostitute, who handles their own choice of clients and their own money, how is it anything but going into business for oneself? And what of professional brothels who not only pay their workers well, but offer benefits like insurance and such? They are valid employers that women willingly go to to apply for work.

Forced or not. It is still sexual exploitation.

 

[9Westy9]

Nothing wrong with prostitution as long as it's consensual rather than forced.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

No I am not. I am saying that these women start off victims and their victimization continues

You said that sexual abuse "leads women to enter this line of work". If a woman is forced into prostitution, then the thing leading her into it is the person forcing her, not her past.

 

[Draka]

Forced or not. It is still sexual exploitation.

How is it exploitation if the person in question is willing? If I decide to have sex with more than one man at once, am I being exploited sexually by them? If I decide that I'll have sex with a particular guy IF he pays me so much money, how is he exploiting me?