![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
blue-mangos.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
talkpoliticsThere is a debate among feminists of today surrounding the legalities and morality of the sex trade. Many believe it should be a legitimate profession that women can choose, out of their own free will, to engage in. Sex itself is not immoral so why should the trade of it be so? It is my belief that it should be legalized, as taking away the underground aspect of the industry will remove a great deal of the risks, dangers and coercion involved. Many countries around the world have legalized prostitution. Some, including Canada, have decriminalized the act of solicitation, while operating a bawdy house, public solicitation and living off the avails of prostitution (pimping) remain illegal. There are some, including many South American countries who have seemed to have struck the best balance, with prostitution and brothels being legal for women over 18 with pimping remaining illegal.
In my opinion, the criminalization of the act is what leads to exploitation of women and to the dangers and abuse that many face. Giving women the option of choosing it as a profession while keeping pimping illegal reduces the coercion aspect. Take away the dark alley scenarios and lack of accountability and it becomes much more safe and controlled. Legalization may also reduce the stigma surrounding prostitution. Men rape and murder prostitutes as they are seen as worthless. Once it is a legitimate job it may raise the value of these women in the eyes of society and especially police. Rapes and abuse of sex workers will be reported to the police once the threat of arrest is removed. The health risks involved in prostitution for both the woman and her clients can also be reduced through legalization. Mandatory health checks can be instituted by the government to stop the spread of HIV and STDs.
Unfortunately, not enough research has been done in these areas to support the belief that legalized prostitution will lead to these positive benefits, and the information out there is conflicting, depending on who has commissioned the study. All we can go on at this point is common sense and the word of the sex workers themselves who have been working for legislation. More attention must be paid to the matter until we find a model that provides the best protection and options for the women involved.
It is my belief that prostitution should be a viable career choice for any woman who chooses to engage in it. However, I recognize that many of those who do so are doing it out of a lack of any other choice, due to socio-economic factors and addiction. A vital part of any countries prostitution standards should be exit strategies and resources available to those who wish to no longer engage in the practice. Efforts should be focused not on punishing the prostitutes, but in determining their needs and choices and giving assistance where desired.
Removing the criminal act, and allowing women greater choices will also remove some of the moral issues many women have with prostitution. Under illegal prostitution, men are seen as dominating and exploiting women. To take away that power and put it back in the hands of women should be seen as a victory by feminist groups. As well, normalizing the sex trade should help to remove the stigma of sex workers as degenerates.
Two areas that must remain illegal and fought against are child prostitution (which should, IMO, be considered anyone under the age of 18) and sex trafficking. It is estimated that 600,000-800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders every year. Globalization and advanced communication devices and the internet have made the practice much easier. Traffickers prey on the vulnerable, mostly those in undeveloped or poor countries. The victims, often teenage girls, are lured from their homes with promises of a better life, removed from their countries and kept in situations where they have no control, no security and no protection from local law enforcement. These are the areas women's groups and law enforcement should be focusing their attention and resources on stopping, these are the true victims of illegal prostitution.
Prostitution is often referred to as the oldest profession in the world. This may not be completely accurate but records exist back to 2400 B.C. where it was recorded on a Sumerian list of professions (along with, interestingly, lady doctor.) and continues through historical records right up to present time. It is safe to say it is not going away. It is time for all countries to recognize this fact and provide the safest laws possible to protect these women.
In my opinion, the criminalization of the act is what leads to exploitation of women and to the dangers and abuse that many face. Giving women the option of choosing it as a profession while keeping pimping illegal reduces the coercion aspect. Take away the dark alley scenarios and lack of accountability and it becomes much more safe and controlled. Legalization may also reduce the stigma surrounding prostitution. Men rape and murder prostitutes as they are seen as worthless. Once it is a legitimate job it may raise the value of these women in the eyes of society and especially police. Rapes and abuse of sex workers will be reported to the police once the threat of arrest is removed. The health risks involved in prostitution for both the woman and her clients can also be reduced through legalization. Mandatory health checks can be instituted by the government to stop the spread of HIV and STDs.
Unfortunately, not enough research has been done in these areas to support the belief that legalized prostitution will lead to these positive benefits, and the information out there is conflicting, depending on who has commissioned the study. All we can go on at this point is common sense and the word of the sex workers themselves who have been working for legislation. More attention must be paid to the matter until we find a model that provides the best protection and options for the women involved.
It is my belief that prostitution should be a viable career choice for any woman who chooses to engage in it. However, I recognize that many of those who do so are doing it out of a lack of any other choice, due to socio-economic factors and addiction. A vital part of any countries prostitution standards should be exit strategies and resources available to those who wish to no longer engage in the practice. Efforts should be focused not on punishing the prostitutes, but in determining their needs and choices and giving assistance where desired.
Removing the criminal act, and allowing women greater choices will also remove some of the moral issues many women have with prostitution. Under illegal prostitution, men are seen as dominating and exploiting women. To take away that power and put it back in the hands of women should be seen as a victory by feminist groups. As well, normalizing the sex trade should help to remove the stigma of sex workers as degenerates.
Two areas that must remain illegal and fought against are child prostitution (which should, IMO, be considered anyone under the age of 18) and sex trafficking. It is estimated that 600,000-800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders every year. Globalization and advanced communication devices and the internet have made the practice much easier. Traffickers prey on the vulnerable, mostly those in undeveloped or poor countries. The victims, often teenage girls, are lured from their homes with promises of a better life, removed from their countries and kept in situations where they have no control, no security and no protection from local law enforcement. These are the areas women's groups and law enforcement should be focusing their attention and resources on stopping, these are the true victims of illegal prostitution.
Prostitution is often referred to as the oldest profession in the world. This may not be completely accurate but records exist back to 2400 B.C. where it was recorded on a Sumerian list of professions (along with, interestingly, lady doctor.) and continues through historical records right up to present time. It is safe to say it is not going away. It is time for all countries to recognize this fact and provide the safest laws possible to protect these women.
That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 00:50 (UTC)Laws that restrict sexual activity are a vestige of slavery. In the most restrictive societies, only fathers with legitimate children were permitted to participate in state activities. We have been paring away at these oppressive rules little by little.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 02:26 (UTC)Why do we need welfare? There's always prostitution.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 05:37 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 08:41 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 10:33 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 15:19 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 17:46 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 08:01 (UTC)Not really, no.
When prostitution is illegal, it puts prostitutes at the mercy of pimps who often care absolutely nothing for the women (and often even men) working for them, and have no obligation to them, either. It effectively turns these women into slaves - into objects - because there is no one else they can turn to.
At least if it were legalized, there can be regulation made by an entity (government) which, while also not caring, at least has an obligation to look after these women.
Have a venue of legal recourse will allow women who choose to enter a legal profession control over their own sexuality. Keyword here being "choose", because so long as it remains illegal, it is far too ripe an opportunity for women to end up being sex slaves, when going to the police might just end being meaning their arrest - and an even lesser chance of escape, possibly, than pimps.
Why do we need welfare? There's always
prostitution.McDonaldsjanitorunskilled laborprofessional labora job of some sort.No. There isn't. That's why we have Welfare (in theory, anyway, admittedly hasn't worked out so well in practice). It's so if people can't find a job, then they can not be homeless and starving. You can basically turn on the television to see that high unemployment rates are still a problem, and it's not because that many people just aren't looking.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 08:41 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 08:55 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 17:44 (UTC)We'll never get rid of people getting in car accidents by speeding on highways, should we legalize it?
I'm not convinced one way or another, I just don't think this is a good argument.
A thing being illegal does put (or maintain) a certain social stigma on a thing. A woman's body being property for consumption, I'm not sure it's a good thing. I think we have capitalism shoved enough places as it is.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 19:14 (UTC)Car accidents hurt people. Sex with children hurts the children. Murder hurts people. We criminalize them for that reason, because whether we can get rid of them or not people are hurt and we try to stop it.
But prostitution? If it's between two consenting adults, then no one's getting hurt and there's no reason for it to be illegal.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 22:00 (UTC)I am skeptical that this is an either/or. I imagine lots of people have lots of different reasons.
But yes, the essence of the question is whether legalization would cause harm, or whether it would remove harm.
And, like I said, I don't think such a thing should be submitted to capitalism. I don't think it would have desirable results.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 7/7/11 04:30 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 7/7/11 21:39 (UTC)I'm watching what capitalism has been doing to our political system. Our politicians are already prostitutes for the highest dollar. I don't want to see women become monetized, categorized, and valued by physical attractiveness and willingness to do ...things. Greed is the ultimate corruptor.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 8/7/11 01:56 (UTC)"...things"? Really? You can't type out "sex"? A lot of people do a lot of "things", but what prostitutes do for a profession is sex.
Also, you seem to think allowing some women to trade sex for money without fear of arrest will somehow turn all women into objects. A lot of politicians are effectively whoring them out to rich people and corporations for campaign funds. Doesn't mean every person who theoretically qualifies for office is suddenly an object.
We already treat lots of people as objects based on their bodies - athletes for strength/speed, models for looks, and some women for sex. A body is a person's own domain, and if they want to consensually objectify it for the purposes of financial gain of any sort, then it's their right to. They shouldn't have to fear arrest based on a few people's squicks and irrational fears, when they are not hurting people.
You don't like women, or people, being turned into objects - fine. But it still gives you no right to tell women what to do with their own bodies.
Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 15:22 (UTC)Re: That reminds me...
Date: 6/7/11 17:41 (UTC)