Should prostitution be legalized to protect women?

Question

In places where it is legal or tolerated, women generally enjoy a higher status in society and aggressive male pimping is almost non-existent (think Thailand). In societies where it is shunned, women generally are regarded with lower status and easily fall victim to the mafia (think U.S.). Is that just coincidence?

i have worked and lived around the world - these are just my observations.

Answer 1

Yes. If legalized then it could be controlled, so that only women who wished to be prostitutes would be. A monthly checkup, with a doctor would be a prerequisite to remaining in business. This would protect both the woman and her clients, thereby limiting the transmission of diseases.

Answer 2

Very tricky question. I don't think that prostitutes are generally regarded much more positively in places like Thailand than in the United States -- it's still a poor career choice in general, but in poorer countries, it pays better than any of the alternatives many of these women have available to them. Add to that the fact that in many if not all of these countries, the rate of sexually transmitted diseases is much, much higher because there is little use of contraception -- life is cheap there, and there are cultural differences that make the use of condoms or other protective measures even less appealing than they are here in the US.

If prostitution were legalized, the only way it could be done is with government-run and managed brothels with extremely strict rules of conduct. Condoms, at a minimum, would be required at all times. The women would have to be licensed, regularly tested for STD's and insured. Obviously, the entire industry would be regulated and taxed, and for epidemiological purposes, the customers would have to be registered as well --if an STD pops up, they'll want to trace it back to the source and ensure that the affected people don't spread it further, if possible. And the law would have to levy some pretty heavy fines and possible prison time for practicing without a license.

I don't see this happening, because our society is still far too repressed and Puritan in its attitudes towards sex; prostitution is almost universally regarded negatively, even in places where it is legal and regulated like the Netherlands. There is a stigma of shame attached to visiting a prostitute, because a) if you've already got a girlfriend or wife, you're a cheater, b) you have to pay to get someone to have sex with you (i.e. you're not smooth enough to get any play for free), and c) you're too horny and in so little control of your hormones that you can't wait until you do find someone who will give you nookie for free. As for the prostitute herself, the stigma is that she is so low-class and possesses so little talent or intellect that she is of no other use to society except as an object to be used by anonymous men for their own gratification.

So to answer your question, the legalization of prostitution would probably lower the spread of STD's a few percent in the US through the strict control of human contact and much more regular heath examinations for all involved, and might even generate a few extra tax dollars to boot, but because of the social stigma attached to the activity, I doubt it would ever happen here.

Answer 3

I think that prostitution comes from desperate times. When you have kids and a habit, it's kind of hard to keep up with the 9-5. I'm not sure if I think we should leagalize it, but I do know that we need to talk about it. Outloud. There are hundreds and thousands of women out there who are selling their bodies to get by. Granted, a rare percent of them enjoy it, but many have been so strung out and messed up for the past years they don't know how to get out of it. Just look at the prison rehabilitation rates of women in the country. They need a place to say "look, I don't want to live like this anymore and I need help."
If we legalize prostitution, we need to create a support system for those who come into that profession which should include counseling before being given a license to prostitute, mandatory 3 -6 month STD screenings, and businesses (brothels) that house prostitutes so that the things that should go on behind closed doors don't go on in the alley behind your house.

Answer 4

I do think it should be legalized. I remember once reading an argument against legalizing prostitution that pointed out that the number of rapes in places where it was legalized actually went up afterwards (many thoguht it would go down) however, I think that was because the prostitutes were suddenly no longer afraid to report cases where they had been/were being raped themselves.
I think really for the safety and sanity of the women (and sometimes men) who go into the business at least, it should be legalized.

Answer 5

Personally, I think the legalization of prostitution would protect both men and women. Prostitutes could be regularly tested, and requirements could be placed for clients to file recent negative tests for STDs as well. It's something that's going to happen regardless of legality (how else did it earn the reputation as "the world's oldest profession). So I believe there's some responsibility to make it as safe as possible. The only way to do so is to legalize it and create some protective regulations.

Answer 6

This is an interesting question. I think its a band aid to the problem. The real problem is having themed resturants like Hooters and having cheerleaders who are only qulified for their looks. Miss america and all that BS women have to go through to be basically on a pole in a mans mind to get him off. JUST A THOUGHT!

Answer 7

protects the guys too as the vice squad will have less to do now and they can get off their asses and go after the pimps and the cocaine smugglers now instead of dressing like hookers and going into entrapment stings. I have never been with a hooker, but for the ones who want it, legality will stop the violence and the pimps a bit anyway.

Answer 8

NO. There are far too many opportunities available anywhere in the world for women. But we have to face reality, some women don't know where else to go or what else to do.... yes ignorance is an issue here.
And on the cheerleader comment, do you know that cheerleaders are proffesional women; corporate executives, doctors; you name it. They just enjoy doing that

Answer 9

Personally, I'm not a fan of it. I think there are better ways to make a living. Education should be stressed. People should not use one another as receptacles. I believe the human spirit is injured with selling one's body in that manner. Remember, that is someone's daughter.

Answer 10

Prostitution should never be legalized,because if this would happen more people would be dieing from many spreadable diseases,and I think we have enough of that at present.