The ethics of prostitution

Quoting wouterrr

I think prostitues are mental disordered people as well. but they take some society problems away. so that is the only benefit of these poor women. I hope that they get help as soon as they stop their business in order to prevent severe depressions and eventually suicidal behavior.

I'm not sure about that, wouterr. Prostitutes often fall into their work out of desperation, influence, coersion, drug/alcohol habits, and I don't know what else. I'm sure many also freely chose their career (high-cless escorts come to mind). I don't think that makes them mentally challenged, although I do think many are in desperate need of help that must feel impossible for them to find.

Quoting tway

I'm not sure about that, wouterr. Prostitutes often fall into their work out of desperation, influence, coersion, drug/alcohol habits, and I don't know what else. I'm sure many also freely chose their career (high-cless escorts come to mind). I don't think that makes them mentally challenged, although I do think many are in desperate need of help that must feel impossible for them to find.

mental problems and depressions (followed by suicidal behavior) is a follow up of desperation and influence etc. why do u think people start taking drugs and taking too much alcohol? I think that is a getaway at itself. I agree with u that high class escorts are a different story. apparently some (healthy) women are okay with selling their body for a few thousand a night. but I guess these woman have more oppurtunities in life then crack prostitutes. And most of the time I think these women don't work under pimps.

Quoting Isadora

Quoting Mel.

Quoting beavis

I dont know, I wonder if cities that have legalised prostitution have a lower % of rape cases?

I think it would be sick, if prostitution was legalised, in order to feed those girls(the prostitutes) to rapists, just in order to keep the rapists away, from the rest of u.

1) I don't think that response actually answers Beavis' question even remotely...

2) I'm curious how legalizing prostitution is feeding the prostitutes to the rapists in order to keep them away from everyone else. Women in the illegal sex trade are probably at greater risk for rape than those who work in it legally. Again, rape is a crime of violence, not passion. Every woman, regardless of her occupation, is a possible vicitm if you look at it rationally. Legalizing prostitution would definitely allow for safer working conditions and greater protection by law enforcement. There are no major downsides to legalization except from a moral perspective.

1. It does not surprise me, that u would say something like that.
2. Legalising prostitution is not necessarily feeding the prostitutes, to rapists. I was making that comment, in relation to some other posts, made in this thread. Beavis post being one of them. Anyway, I dont wish to discuss this, with u any futher.

Wouter
I think the Dutch policy on drugs and prostitution is very progressive too, and I certainly agree with it. But I think that the legalization of prostitution happened, because it makes sense to legalize something that is happening regardless of the law. And because prostitution is in itself not harmful to society. I dont think legalization happened to reduce the incidents of rape, in the Netherlands.

[ Edit: Edited on May 12, 2007, at 2:35 PM by Mel. ]

Here in the state of New South Wales prostitution is legal, although under vey tight regulation, which is deemed necessary given the nature of prostituion.

A major argument for legalisation, was that it would clean up "the industry" and the illegal operations would be forced out.

The opposite has happened. The average brothel owner can't be bothered with the government regulations, and simply operates as before but illegally. This has tied up (so to speak) a lot of government resources and courts in attempting to shut down illegal operators.

Given Australia's high immigration rate from Asia, there is now the added problem of the "sex slave industry" where girls are bought in from Asia, often under false pretences and also often under student visas. So now there are cultural issues to deal with, language difficulties, visa issues, and Asian gang problems that didn't exist before.

If one peruses the adverts for "adult services" it becomes quite obvious that it's an "industry" which caters for men who fancy Asian women.

Legalisation has also produced the added problem of the legal brothels operating above board feeling disenfranchised with the regulations as they are competing against illegal operations. Apparently this has led to some legal operations shutting up shop, and opening in the same area but illegally.

Regardless of your view on prostitution, I personally believe that some things are better left to operate illegally in the background. It may not be a perfect environment to operate in, but it may be less imperfect than other alternatives.

Well, yeah James, the trafficing of Asian women is yet another problem to be solved. I dont think problems should be ignored, just because they cant be 100% solved, in one swoop. It may cost money and time and whatever other resources, to help these Asian women, but I dont think we should allow things like this slavery to happen in our countries. For that matter, I think we should do what we can to stop it happening in all parts of the world.
And legal prostitutes, in the Netherlands pay taxes, like any other legally working person, so they dont always just soak up government resouses And just a side comment: the Netherlands also has its share of illegally trafficed Asian prostitutes.

[ Edit: Edited on May 14, 2007, at 2:30 AM by Mel. ]

Quoting Mel.

Quoting Isadora

Quoting Mel.

Quoting beavis

I dont know, I wonder if cities that have legalised prostitution have a lower % of rape cases?

I think it would be sick, if prostitution was legalised, in order to feed those girls(the prostitutes) to rapists, just in order to keep the rapists away, from the rest of u.

2) I'm curious how legalizing prostitution is feeding the prostitutes to the rapists in order to keep them away from everyone else. Women in the illegal sex trade are probably at greater risk for rape than those who work in it legally. Again, rape is a crime of violence, not passion. Every woman, regardless of her occupation, is a possible vicitm if you look at it rationally. Legalizing prostitution would definitely allow for safer working conditions and greater protection by law enforcement. There are no major downsides to legalization except from a moral perspective.

2. Legalising prostitution is not necessarily feeding the prostitutes, to rapists. I was making that comment, in relation to some other posts, made in this thread. Beavis post being one of them. Anyway, I dont wish to discuss this, with u any futher.

It's too bad that you didn't quote the other comments also. They may have made your above response clearer and more relevant since most of us are not psychic.

Wouter
I think the Dutch policy on drugs and prostitution is very progressive too, and I certainly agree with it. But I think that the legalization of prostitution happened, because it makes sense to legalize something that is happening regardless of the law. And because prostitution is in itself not harmful to society. I dont think legalization happened to reduce the incidents of rape, in the Netherlands.

The Dutch legalized prostitution for several reasons: to stop the exploitation of workers in the sex industry, to decrease the number of rapes, increase the tax base, allow prostitutes to pay into and receive benefits through social security, afford them better health care and develop pension plans for retirement. It all has not been as successful as originally planned due to police and governement officials turning somewhat of a blind eye to the influx of illegal immigrant industry workers and those who exploit them.

Nevada and a few other states are using the Netherland rhetorric to promote the legalization of protstitution here - including the case for decreased rape. It is a standard response in most countries considering legaliziation.

Wouter is correct in his comment, as I would expect him to be, since he probably has done his research on the subject also.

Quoting Isadora

Wouter is correct in his comment, as I would expect him to be, since he probably has done his research on the subject also.

Congratulations Wouter, on the probability, that u have done your research. We should all probably be more like u, and probably do our research.

Quoting Mel.

Quoting Isadora

Wouter is correct in his comment, as I would expect him to be, since he probably has done his research on the subject also.

Congratulations Wouter, on the probability, that u have done your research. We should all probably be more like u, and probably do our research.

Thank you very much, Mel

U are welcome Wouter.

Quoting Isadora

Wouter is correct in his comment, as I would expect him to be, since he probably has done his research on the subject also.

Anyway, how much research have u done Wouter?
Are u now a prostitute guru?

[ Edit: Edited on May 16, 2007, at 6:42 AM by Mel. ]