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I find prostitution to be a very sad thing. I believe that many women are forced into it. Either overtly, by physically violent boyfriends/pimps who threaten to

I find prostitution to be a very sad thing. I believe that many women are forced into it. Either overtly, by physically violent boyfriends/pimps who threaten to beat them, or more subtly by being raised in an environment with few options and/or becoming addicted to drugs. I would like for it to be non existent but it's pretty apparent that it's always going to be part of our society for the foreseeable future. I therefore want it legalized and regulated. The majority of the problems around prostitution are because it's run by criminal elements and not the State. Do you want to ensure basic physical protections for prostitutes? Create well managed brothels where they are safe. Next step up. Want to ensure they have reasonable health and nutrition? Pull them out of the shadows and let brothel's or the state offer benefits and look after their ladies around nutrition, rehab, keeping more of what they earn (economic interests align!) Final step - want to offer them a way out? It's hard when they're hiding in the shadows. Decriminalize it and you can target the industry with new skills/training/work opps etc. If you're against prostitution I think the worse thing you can do is want it outlawed.

tedks 12y ago
What makes you think that legalization will offer any of that? It's a little absurd how when it comes to things like taxis or hotels or the Internet infrastructure regulation is a horrible thing that does nothing but cause pain, but when men want to rape women (because that is what it is, to have sex with someone who is forced into it, that is rape, that is what prostitution is), all of a sudden regulation becomes a silver bullet. I'm for harm reduction, but I'm also against normalizing rape, and teaching generations of men that rape is an okay, totally acceptable, shiny and regulated commodity. That's not acceptable for any sane, moral human.
- ZeroGravitas 12y ago
  Making something illegal is regulation. I'm sure there are hardcore libertarians who think that all you need to do is legalise it and market forces will take care of everything else. The situation is so messed up currently that that would almost certainly be an improvement. But I'd be happy to see the same level of regulation we see for selling cigarettes, nightclubs, places that serve food, dangerous factories etc. because I'm pro sane levels of regulation for many things. Also, as covered elsewhere in the thread if you think doing something in exchange for money is "force" then you've written off most of modern society.

tedks 12y ago

What makes you think that legalization will offer any of that? It's a little absurd how when it comes to things like taxis or hotels or the Internet infrastructure regulation is a horrible thing that does nothing but cause pain, but when men want to rape women (because that is what it is, to have sex with someone who is forced into it, that is rape, that is what prostitution is), all of a sudden regulation becomes a silver bullet. I'm for harm reduction, but I'm also against normalizing rape, and teaching generations of men that rape is an okay, totally acceptable, shiny and regulated commodity. That's not acceptable for any sane, moral human.

ZeroGravitas 12y ago
Making something illegal is regulation. I'm sure there are hardcore libertarians who think that all you need to do is legalise it and market forces will take care of everything else. The situation is so messed up currently that that would almost certainly be an improvement. But I'd be happy to see the same level of regulation we see for selling cigarettes, nightclubs, places that serve food, dangerous factories etc. because I'm pro sane levels of regulation for many things. Also, as covered elsewhere in the thread if you think doing something in exchange for money is "force" then you've written off most of modern society.