Should prostitution be legalised?

Former Member

As we know in Holland prostitution is legal and prostitutes can open their business in the streets just like normal shops. Do you think the UK should follow?

Before all of you say yes, ( <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> ) here are some arguments by those who against it. First, it could damage the morality of society. Secondly, some girls who dont have enough money might well go selling their bodies as it is easy money. They might not think carefully enough? Thirdly, men who dont have enough sex (!) might just go to pay for it as it is too easy to get. Would it make society 'too open', and what about sexually transmitted infection? Or too many unwanted babies?

Former Member

Well, it is the world's oldest profession. It happens, its always going to happen. So why force it underground and put the girls at risk? Legalisation and regulation is the common sense way of dealling with something, but then since when has that mattered for anything?

Former Member

This is CRRRRAAAAZZZZZEEEEE, every time I'm doing an essay at uni the topic comes up on here, as if by magic!

Former Member

Originally posted by Toadborg:
<STRONG>This is CRRRRAAAAZZZZZEEEEE, every time I'm doing an essay at uni the topic comes up on here, as if by magic!</STRONG>

So what is your take on it then?

Personally, I'd rather it was legal, that the girls were protected and that the scum pimps were put out of business.

We are supposed to be a mature society yet we sweep something like this under the carpet and give it a stigma.

What would be the downside or legalisation?

Originally posted by Nice Kick:
<STRONG>First, it could damage the morality of society.</STRONG>

More than it is already. Is it more moral to pretend that it doesn't happen, to force it underground to become the behest of the criminal fraternity.

<STRONG>

Secondly, some girls who dont have enough money might well go selling their bodies as it is easy money. They might not think carefully enough? </STRONG>

Can't they now then?

No woman will sell their body unless they believe they have to, becuase they are bullied (by the crims) or because they want to...

<STRONG>

Thirdly, men who dont have enough sex (!) might just go to pay for it as it is too easy to get.</STRONG>

Isn't that the point? <IMG SRC="confused.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

NB Women like sex too, some even pay for it. Best not to forget that.

<STRONG>

Would it make society 'too open', and what about sexually transmitted infection? Or too many unwanted babies?</STRONG>

Can society be too open? Surely being able to talk about sex in a adult manner, instead of the usual reserve would be helpful. Look at the abuse this place get in some parts of the media for doing just that. Yet how many people has this site helped? We are a fairly moral bunch, yet because we openly discuss 'taboo' issue we are lambasted...

As for disease, legalisation would allow for regular health checks to reduce infection. Do you think this happens now?

Former Member

I've yet to finish so I'll come back with my conclusion when I do....

For now, on purely pragmatic terms legalisation would be a good thing because it could be regulated to ake it safer for the prostitutes.

some girls who dont have enough money might well go selling their bodies as it is easy money

thats an important point, assuming very few prostitutes actually want to do the job legalisation would make it easier for girls (and boys) to enter the industry just to make some money.

What we should do is look at the reasons why people feel the necessity to enter the industry and deal with them, though this may be impossible....

Former Member

I think that if it was offered to people legally then alot of people wouldn't bother with relationships and people would start to consider it normal & this is not the message we want kids to grow up with, i think this is a terrible idea!!

Former Member

it's liek abortion: whatever your take on it morally it's going to happen. You can't stop it. On the other hand, if it's legal, you can control it and remove as much of the bad stuff as possible: so reduce pimping, violence etc. Plus what right does the state have to tell people how to live their lives if they aren't harming anybody else?

Former Member

Even if you think it is immoral you must question whether this is sufficient grounds to ban it considering the benefits for the prostitutes themselves........

Former Member

It's complicated because if we legalise prostitution, we will effectively turn it into a career for some women. We already use sex to sell things (cf modelling, porn) but to actually sell your body for money is different.

Sex would no longer be based on love, but lust. Maybe that's the way our society is going anyway....

On the other hand, legalising prostitution would take some of the risks of soliciting on the streets, and the associtaed problems with drug abuse and pimping.

Swings and roundabouts I suppose.

Toad, what did you conclude in your essay?

Former Member

I actually concluded against it because of the dangers of commercialising sex.

Some people have argued that selling sex is the same as selling anyother product but I really disagree, I went with Kant and said that Sex is special because of the intimacy involved,it really shouldn't be a career option for someone who is hard up.....

It would certainly baenefit the women involved for it to be legal but I think we should look at why they do it and try and tackle some of these problems.......

Former Member

You've both made a pretty big assumption there, that sex and love/intimacy go hand in hand...

Originally posted by Kentish:
<STRONG>It's complicated because if we legalise prostitution, we will effectively turn it into a career for some women. We already use sex to sell things (cf modelling, porn) but to actually sell your body for money is different.</STRONG>

But it's already a career for some women, just underground. And how is selling your 'body' different from porn?

Originally posted by Toadborg:
<STRONG>I actually concluded against it because of the dangers of commercialising sex.</STRONG>

What <STRONG>are</STRONG> the dangers?

<STRONG>It would certainly baenefit the women involved for it to be legal but I think we should look at why they do it and try and tackle some of these problems.......</STRONG>

Men are willing to pay for sex, some women want money. You cannot solve those two "problems"...

Former Member

What are the dangers?

ever read "Brave new world" by Aldous Huxley, not about commercialisation but shows a society where sex is easily available and is thus devalued as a loving activity.....

Former Member

crazy...Royal Institute of Chartered Prostitutes <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Fine with me..


The idea that it could possibly cheapen sex or somehow make us more immoral is totally laughable to me..

This country is not in the least bit moral...I can into my town of 60k and I can be shagging some girl in a carpark inside 30 minutes....Im not even good looking..

Sex and intimacy together? Maybe 20 years ago. You cannot possibly cheapen these things any more than they already are.

Former Member

YES - legalise it

but criminalise those who have sex with prostitutes
reverse everything!!