Should a woman and a man have the right to contract with each other to exchange sex for money?

Question

In other words: should prostitution be legal (outside of Nevada)? Isn't it a question of "my body, my choice?" Also the constitutional right to made a contract without government interference? Or is there more to it: moral issues; health and safety, etc.? What do YOU think?

Answer 1

Two consenting adults should definitely have the right to enter into a contract such as this one. The government could actually profit from it by taxing it as it does any other business. And just like any other business, you would have to get a license, which would take care of the zoning issue, and have mandatory insurance. You would also be subject to inspections by OSHA just like any other business. The only reason it's illegal now is because of conservatives who don't like to live and let live. They want to impose their so called "moral values" on everyone else.....incomprehensible.

Answer 2

I think it's mostly moral issues, then health and safety, since if it were legal, it could be regulated like any other profession, so there could be things like mandatory doctor visits, medical coverage, inspections by the board of health, etc.

By the way, the constitutional right to made a contract without government interference isn't absolute-- all kinds of contracts are "interfered" with if the legislature has a good enough public policy reason behind it. It's not legal to contract with someone to kill a person for you, for example. I think the policy behind that is pretty clear. Economic regulations could technically be looked at as an interference with contract as well.

Answer 3

it's a hard question (no pun intended) because such legalization is, in effect, a social sanction that such a practice is morally acceptable in our society. And there are many who believe sex is much to sacrosanct to be auctioned off or paraded around in streets.

(Of course, the other side is that sex is always a commodity in any relationship, and if we can exchange love / companionship / dinner & a movie for sex, why not just hard currency. Further, being paid to have sex "on camera" is oftentimes protected by the First Amendment; so why not just remove the speech element and just let people have sex? However, I think our society has a long way to go before we get there.)

Answer 4

The underlining assumption is that by giving someone the right to be a prostitute it makes it legal for someone to force that situation on somebody.

The big problem in the UK (more in the US) is that when prostitution is forced underground it is much worse. Many prostitutes are vulnerable people in need of protection.

The Swedes have made it legal to be a prostitute, but illegal to be a customer which is probably the right way around. This means thay have easy access to government and police services. This allows to government to intervene on safety etc.

Answer 5

I agree with you. It's your body and as long as both are consenting, I think it's fine. If someone wants to take the risk of getting a STD, that's their decision, no one elses! I also find it odd that people don't get control of their own bodies. Just think about euthanasia...Old people can't ask for help in dying (legally) but yet any woman that is pregnant can go out and kill the baby that is alive inside her when the stupid girl should have been on birth control! I think many people forget that BC is usually covered by their insurance carrier...Two consenting adults can have sex however they chose as long as no money is exchanged. What people fail to realize is dating is prostitution, except you don't always get what you paid for! Can I get an amen?

Answer 6

I personally do not believe that the government should forbid such a thing. Especially since it is the worlds oldest profession and obviously prohibition has not ended the practice.

I do believe that the government has a role in protecting public health; such as requiring health inspections and regulating the age of the participants. It also might be necessary to zone the activity i.e. away from schools and residential areas.

Otherwise let people be people.

Answer 7

We do it here in Nevada. I have three whorehouses within 25 miles of my house. The old Mustang Ranch has re-opened at Exit 28 in Patrick, a small 'burb about 15 miles east of Reno. For those of you who don't know, the Mustang is probably the most famous of the ranches in Nevada, not because of what goes on there but for its colorful owner, one Joe Conforti, who didn't pay his taxes and disappeared forever years ago.

Prostitution ought to be legal in places that have voted it to be so. It was legalized here in 1971 after it was voted up once in the elections of 1969 or 1970, then again in 1971 or 1972. Our law requires a measure to be voted up twice in consecutive elections. It gives us a chance to think about something over a longer period of time...

Answer 8

The world is full of girl and boys there are abducted and forced to work as prostitutes, and it`s not legal yet.. Think about it.. Wouldn`t be easier to make slaves?wouldn`t it make easier for these mean people to make innocents sign contracts saying that they are doing it beacuse they whant to? We all have to think about the two sides of the coin..

Answer 9

No, its illegal, and socially unacceptable. There are no guarantees when making a contract for an illegal purpose, its not considered a valid contract. Your body, but the choice is the underlying issue. You do not have a right to chose to break the law, contrary to what the liberals think and say, irregardless if its something having to do with your body or not.

Answer 10

Why not ! Your body is your property. That is why no one keeps it for you. Then consequences are bear ed by your body too. And then one day, the owner of the body will take it back.