Legalize Prostitution?

[lollirot]

Err.. my first post here =/

Here in the US, we have illegal prostitution, which means we have STDs, abusive pimps, children selling sex trade, etc. Keeping it illegal isn't going to stop it; They just force it to more dangerous levels. Prostitution has been around for a while, and it'll continue to exist as long as people enjoy sex. Wouldn't it be safer for all if prostitution included fixed rates, mandatory check ups, sales tax, registration, unionization, etc? Legalized, we can ensure that prostitutes are all-willing and not forced into the job.

As much as I like the thought of sex as a wonderfully sweet and romantic act shared between two people who love each other... face it, sex is a commodity when it's not done with love. Some people like sex a lot but cannot find a lover, so they visit a prostitute. Now, you have a woman (or man) who stands to make about $60 an hour, providing what is essentially a service. Is this a bad thing? Now I wouldn't consider prostitution a particularly noble or moral profession, but I can't see justification for its illegality. I don't think morality is something for the state to dictate. So seeing as it's always been a part of society, maybe we should just accept it and reap the benefits.

I'd like to hear what you people think about this stuff. Is legalizing prostitution sexual liberalism/free choice or would it be simply exploiting people in a terrible way?

FYI: Prostitution is legal in Nevada
How it works (http://www.sexuality.org/l/workers/nevada.html)

[WithStamin]

I say keep it how it is - leave it up to the states. No national legislation should be passed about prostitution. I could see how legalizing prostituion could make people safer, but on the other hand, it could make every city like Las Vegas (which I don't think we want). So I'm officially undecided.

[evil zach]

I say legalize it. It will reduce the risk for everyone involved

[Justin_stacy]

i personally have no problem with it, but like any "vice" it should be left up to the communities to decided on whether or not they wnat it............

[Ronin]

Originally posted by Justin_stacy
i personally have no problem with it, but like any "vice" it should be left up to the communities to decided on whether or not they wnat it............

You're right, it shouldn't be forced on every state/community. I can't see Utah being interested in legalized prostitution.

But it's the same thing as safe-injection sites for heroin users, it's harm reduction. As much as we'd like to think that it's not a problem, it is.

[Ronin]

Originally posted by cal1082
Leagalizing prostitution won't curve std's significantly. Abusive pimps is an isolated thing that involves only the few involved so that should not be considered when making such a drastic descision. The children selling sex it would help maybe, but i have no clue how many prostitues are children.

- It would curve STDs quite well. The spread of STDs is exponential, one person gets and STD and gives it to 3 people, who then each give it to 3 more people, etc etc.

- I don't have an actual figure for you, but one of my profs talked to me about one of his colleagues who does research on child prostitution in Vancouver, and apparently it's a pretty big problem.

[blaarg]

prostitution is illegal in most states (it's only legal in vegas unless i'm mistaken) but it still takes place, if it would be made legal it would reduce gang violence, make it cheaper and less dangerous.
also: to quote some comic i saw a while ago, i can't remember his name but.. eh "if god wanted women to be able to whore themselves out, he would have given them a vagina and a free will... wait a minute"

[Alex Djaferis]

man i was in Amsterdam last week. prostitution overload. it all seemed to work just fine there.

[DevilMayCare]

As a woman (well, eventually anyway) i think that what i do with my body is my business but if i am going to sell my body, i want protection from the gov't. i want to be able to file a formal complaint against a client that i feel abused me. now, being the profession that it is, there would be a difficulty in filing sexual harrassment complaints and it might be a very looked down on profession but again, its my body i can do whatever teh hell i want with it. if prostitution were to be legalized, laws would have to be drafted to control the ages of the woman or man being "whored out" and regular check-ups should be mandatory so that disease can be controlled and dealt with easily and STD's are controlled within the community. all prostitutes should have a health plan that includes free trimonthly check ups to check for and control STD's. all prostitutes should be registered and have a card, something like a drivers lisence to present to possible customers to prove that they are free of STD's and that having sex for money with them is legal and relatively safe...just a few thoughts because its monday and i have nothing better to do :D

[Tom Foolery]

My argument for prostitution is the same as my argument for abortion. Who am I to tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her own body? What's "right or wrong" for me does not necessarily hold true for other women. So while I personally am not whoring myself on the street or having unwanted pregnancies (I use 2 forms of birth control for insurance), far be it from me to tell another woman that she can't do those things herself.

[Justin_stacy]

Originally posted by DevilMayCare
[B]As a woman (well, eventually anyway) [B]

may i ask exactly what that ment?

[WithStamin]

Originally posted by Justin_stacy
may i ask exactly what that ment? I'm guessing that she meant she's a girl now, soon a woman (not a man about to become a woman).

[DevilMayCare]

It means im only 15 so in the eyes of most people (including the gov't) im still a child and not an adult and therefore not a woman

[NOFXdesendents5]

I say legalize it.

Its the girls choice if they want to do it. It definatley pays better than minimum wage at McDonalds too..

[DevilMayCare]

Originally posted by NOFXdesendents5
I say legalize it.

Its the girls choice if they want to do it. It definatley pays better than minimum wage at McDonalds too..
sad but true, plus, you dont have to wear a hairnet which is always good

[BrandNewRock05]

Originally posted by evil zach
I say legalize it. It will reduce the risk for everyone involved
Although it is completely against my moral beliefs, I do believe it could end some problems. I figure, its the oldest profession around, its not going away, might as well regulate it. I sort of feel the same way about marijuana, although I would never use it, it maybe should be legalized and monitored by the government so it would be taken off of the streets and away from harsher drugs. Put an age limit on it, like 21, government regulated, and you could tax it. I guess you could tax prostitution as well as weed, sin tax.

[LooP]

If the prostitute wants to sell sex or not is her choice. Where does the government get envolved?

[shit stroll]

epic bump/4th post

[Machu505]

Shit this thread is fucking five years old haha.

[paper halo]

- It would curve STDs quite well. The spread of STDs is exponential, one person gets and STD and gives it to 3 people, who then each give it to 3 more people, etc etc.

- I don't have an actual figure for you, but one of my profs talked to me about one of his colleagues who does research on child prostitution in Vancouver, and apparently it's a pretty big problem.

If prostitution is legalised, then standards and regulations can be introduced. I watched a documentary on an legal male prostitute a while back. He was checked for STDs at least once a week. This is far more than most people who have regular casual sex with multiple partners.

I see no problem with legalising it, it's current illegality is obviously not a deterrent.

[paper halo]

Whoops, just saw how old this thread is.

Oh well.

[bung]

Victimless crime, so legalize it.

[Duexy]

Yes

[CstSnow]

I say keep it how it is - leave it up to the states. No national legislation should be passed about prostitution. I could see how legalizing prostituion could make people safer, but on the other hand, it could make every city like Las Vegas (which I don't think we want). So I'm officially undecided.

Im pretty sure its actually illegal in the county Vegas is in. Not all counties in Nev have legalized it.

[Dan1234]

i was gonna come in here and say something, but shit.... you guys have said everything.

But yeah, i would say that prostitution in Nevada as well as countries that legalize it such as The Netherlands pretty much prove that legalizing prostitution is a relatively safe thing

[thesafeword]

Mega-bump there. I'd say yes and tax it and use that money for schools and roads and stuff, just like they do with gambling taxes if I'm not mistaken.

[chaosB4storm]

Legalize it.

[oldwirehands]

Same idea towards the drug war.

[chaosB4storm]

If prostitution is legalised, then standards and regulations can be introduced. I watched a documentary on an legal male prostitute a while back. He was checked for STDs at least once a week. This is far more than most people who have regular casual sex with multiple partners.

I see no problem with legalising it, it's current illegality is obviously not a deterrent.


So legalizing prostitution would make it possible to have prostitutes without STD's (expensive ones). But, the illegal ones would still exist that do not get themselves checked for STD's at all. These illegal prostitutes would not become obsolete because they would be cheaper than the legal ones. STD's would continue to spread.

I am for decriminalizing prostitution for other reasons. The main reason is that people should simply be allowed the freedom, but stopping STD's is not a very good reason.

[oldwirehands]

So legalizing prostitution would make it possible to have prostitutes without STD's (expensive ones). But, the illegal ones would still exist that do not get themselves checked for STD's at all. These illegal prostitutes would not become obsolete because they would be cheaper than the legal ones. STD's would continue to spread.

I am for decriminalizing prostitution for other reasons. The main reason is that people should simply be allowed the freedom, but stopping STD's is not a very good reason.

If you're buying an illegal prostitute while there are legal and clean ones out there, you know the risk you're running. Stupid people are always going to do stupid things.

[paper halo]

So legalizing prostitution would make it possible to have prostitutes without STD's (expensive ones). But, the illegal ones would still exist that do not get themselves checked for STD's at all. These illegal prostitutes would not become obsolete because they would be cheaper than the legal ones. STD's would continue to spread.

I am for decriminalizing prostitution for other reasons. The main reason is that people should simply be allowed the freedom, but stopping STD's is not a very good reason.

I wasn't citing it as a main reason, it was simply a response to an earlier post.

By "illegal ones" I assume you mean ones that dodge STD checks and regulations which would presumably be mandatory for legalised prostitutes. In which case, anyone choosing to have sex with an 'unsafe' prostitute over a certifiably clean one deserves whatever they get.

You honestly don't think it would have any effect on the spread of STDs whatsoever?

[chaosB4storm]

I wasn't citing it as a main reason, it was simply a response to an earlier post.

By "illegal ones" I assume you mean ones that dodge STD checks and regulations which would presumably be mandatory for legalised prostitutes. In which case, anyone choosing to have sex with an 'unsafe' prostitute over a certifiably clean one deserves whatever they get.

You honestly don't think it would have any effect on the spread of STDs whatsoever?

I completely agree that it would allow intelligent people to choose clean prostitutes. However, even an illegal prostitue can carry around proof that he/she does not have STDs. Legalizing it may make it more convenient, but it is already obviously possible to be regularly checked for STDs if you want to be a clean prostitute.

And honestly, I'm not sure how much money the average person that visits prostitutes has, or how much they care. Will it have any effect on the spread of STD's whatsoever? Probably a little, but not much.

[chaosB4storm]

If you're buying an illegal prostitute while there are legal and clean ones out there, you know the risk you're running. Stupid people are always going to do stupid things.

An illegal prostitute can still be cheaper, AND carry around proof that she has no STDs.

[Nevuk]

An illegal prostitute can still be cheaper, AND carry around proof that she has no STDs.
Uh, in this case why wouldn't she just get a license or whatever to become a legal prostitute?

[concernedparent]

I say keep it how it is - leave it up to the states. No national legislation should be passed about prostitution. I could see how legalizing prostituion could make people safer, but on the other hand, it could make every city like Las Vegas (which I don't think we want). So I'm officially undecided.
Prostitution isn't legal in Las Vegas, actually.

[oldwirehands]

An illegal prostitute can still be cheaper, AND carry around proof that she has no STDs.

Yeah but why take the chance? At least I know I wouldn't and I know a lot of people that wouldn't. If someone wants to run the risk of having sex with an illegal prostitute over a legal one, they can do as they wish. Its just not a smart risk to take.

[tambam]

I say yes. As much as I personally disagree with it, I also don't agree with the government telling people who they can and can't have sex with. People should have the freedom to decide for themselves. Just tax it.

[open mind]

criminalizing an activity that harms no one but the participants just about never works....unless you count job security for police, correctional officers, and judicial workers as working.

[chaosB4storm]

Uh, in this case why wouldn't she just get a license or whatever to become a legal prostitute?

Because he/she gets taxed? Or to get more business by being cheaper. Or because he/she isn't very well educated.

[chaosB4storm]

Yeah but why take the chance? At least I know I wouldn't and I know a lot of people that wouldn't. If someone wants to run the risk of having sex with an illegal prostitute over a legal one, they can do as they wish. Its just not a smart risk to take.

I know that it's their choice, and that would be the wrong choice to not go to one that is proven to be clean. But I am just showing that the spread of STDs wouldn't change very drasitcally, if at all.

[Nevuk]

Because he/she gets taxed? Or to get more business by being cheaper. Or because he/she isn't very well educated.
Only one of those I can see is the first one. (Other would tie into it). I really doubt the government would step in to regulate the pricing of prostitutes - that's just moronic. If anything, it'd be the other way around and these prostitutes would be ones who had sex with people without condoms and charge way extra.

[oldwirehands]

I know that it's their choice, and that would be the wrong choice to not go to one that is proven to be clean. But I am just showing that the spread of STDs wouldn't change very drasitcally, if at all.

Maybe if they legalize hemp we could cure some people. I posted a documentary about it not long ago. I'm not just a pot-head hippie who wants to get high. Hemp is a legit medicine capable of doing a lot of good for the world if it was just legalized.

[chaosB4storm]

Maybe if they legalize hemp we could cure some people. I posted a documentary about it not long ago. I'm not just a pot-head hippie who wants to get high. Hemp is a legit medicine capable of doing a lot of good for the world if it was just legalized.

Agreed.

[billyboatkid]

Legalize free STD! Muwahahahaha

[chaosB4storm]

Only one of those I can see is the first one. (Other would tie into it). I really doubt the government would step in to regulate the pricing of prostitutes - that's just moronic. If anything, it'd be the other way around and these prostitutes would be ones who had sex with people without condoms and charge way extra.

Fair enough, but I aminterested in knowing why you doubt this.

[Nevuk]

Fair enough, but I aminterested in knowing why you doubt this.
Because the price of prostitutes is based on how attractive they are. The government would in effect, be telling people how pretty they are. Telling someone they aren't attractive is a good way to get them really pissed off at you - let them find out through experience like everyone else.

[chaosB4storm]

Because the price of prostitutes is based on how attractive they are. The government would in effect, be telling people how pretty they are. Telling someone they aren't attractive is a good way to get them really pissed off at you - let them find out through experience like everyone else.

lol Good point. I was definitely missing that. Whoops haha

But it still might be more expensive because the prostitute is getting taxed, right? So she would have to compensate for the money the government is taking.

[Nevuk]

lol Good point. I was definitely missing that. Whoops haha

But it still might be more expensive because the prostitute is getting taxed, right? So she would have to compensate for the money the government is taking.
People really don't notice tax. You want to get laid, your whore charges you 21.20 instead of 20$, you already aren't thinking logically because you're banging a random person. People who use prostitutes aren't like to care about the 40 cent tax. Plus, it could be like stripping and have cash only transactions be un-taxed. The only way a situation wouldn't occur like this is if there were a crazy morality tax. Which seems unlikely if we unbanned prostitution.

[Nevuk]

Oh, here's a good example. I work at a burger king in Ohio. Any to go order in this state has no tax. Almost everyone knows that. I've even told people that, and had them still order it for eat-in and have them pay 1-2$ more.

[x togepi x]

People really don't notice tax. You want to get laid, your whore charges you 21.20 instead of 20$, you already aren't thinking logically because you're banging a random person. People who use prostitutes aren't like to care about the 40 cent tax. Plus, it could be like stripping and have cash only transactions be un-taxed. The only way a situation wouldn't occur like this is if there were a crazy morality tax. Which seems unlikely if we unbanned prostitution.

plus i think most people would be willing to pay a little extra so that they wouldn't go to jail if they got caught.

[sayyes]

I bet it would curb violent crime a bit. As is I don't see many pimps going to the police if his "girl" is missing.

[headclub]

if it isnt legalized, i will never get laid

[JJJ]

It's legal in Pahrump 45 min away from me