Why is Prostitution Illegal?

For some time i have wondered why is prostitution Ilegal? I thought that it was simply a law of morality that is both outdated and out of touch. I think it should be legal for several reasons.

Men or women who seek these services run the risk of legal punishment for simply trying to satisfy their basic sexual needs a natural part of life why should that be criminal? Why let the social ineptitude of an individual completly destroy there wellbeing? Why let there sexual frustration fester and corrupt them completly? (I wonder if the instances of rape and molestation are lower in areas where prostitution is legal)

I am sure a lot of folks will be quick to point out that many prostitutes are young women who will be exploited- unfortunatly that problem allready exsists legalizing it may help them or at least remove the predatory pimp types. Has anyone ever had a job they felt exploited in?- I am sure many workers have felt that way and those jobs have not improved.

I am sure the legalization of prostitution would have some controls and resources in which those who are drug addicts could be helped. Programs could be funded directly from taxes generated by these services.

As things are now the problem is swept under the carpet- Prostitutes are abandoned and shunned- left to live a dangerous trade with no help- exploited by organized crime and the clients are also left in a dangerous path why because they cannot ignore the basic human sexual instincts.

It just does not make sense to me- Anti prostitution laws plaquate connsevative attidudes in our society- Prostitutes and those who would employ there services are punished because others have a moral objection to conduct they have nothing to do with.

From a purely economic and health point of view. Legalization is the way to go. Official "massage parlours" as they're sometimes called, keep whores off the streets, allow readily available contraception and mean that the government can keep a closer eye on the trade (and tax it!).

However, morally people are uncomfortable with the idea that selling your body is A-oK.

I personally don't give a damn about the morals, and will support whatever system allows the most people to be happy.

Once again. It has been said before - Our country should not dictate our morals. If Prostitution was legal, it could be controlled, and could even be another source of tax revenue. The Human animal is one of the most sexual animals on this earth. We will do it, legal or not. Illegal teaches disrespect for the law, causes crime and disease. So the alternative, would be better. And if you think that legalizing prostitution will cause it to happen more, I think you will be surprise. Part of the appeal is breaking the law, you remove that and you will have less of it.

Holland is a good example....they took prostitution, made it safe, and turned it into a government "cash cow" , excuse the pun.

I think we could learn from some of the european countries, on alot of issues. But first we have to pull our heads out of our asses!!!!

I think we may need a girl's take on this issue heh..

prostitution don't agree with that.1st- it's illegal esp. here in my country (Philippines). 2nd-Most people involved here are kids being sent to other states or country. Some are being forced to do the job even if they object from it.Those are kids man what kind of people are u? some are even to young to know what's right from wrong and some are in need of money so they turn to prostitution to live and to finish school.
if a person wants to have sex it's okey as long as the feeling's mutual.

Rean...it sounds like you are talking about slavery and rape...I'm sure everyone here would be in agreement with you that this kind of prostitution is wrong....there must be mutual consent.

This actually might be a prime example where the gov't needs to be involved to control this sort of thing.
Though I suspect in your country corruption is also a problem...and thats a whole other thread.

Indeed I think Rean is showing us an extreme that is not what I am advocating at all. Legalized prostitution will not produce a social miracle but it should improve the situation for workers and clients and hopefully clean up inner city areas where the trade has been chased to.
But there is a good point there we would have to be vigalent in order to keep control of the situation

rean did say it was illigal. Once again, if it was legal, it could be controlled more easily.

We are all whores of our respective systems, I get fucked over quite well at work but I don't get an orgasm out of it.

With stuff like regular message parlors we already physically please and pamper, its only the logical next step.

I don't think we should have the right to tell people they can't pay for sex or accept money for sex, we do it all the time anyway, without guarantee!!! Every girl I've met is expensive. And they probably should be jailed for all the false advertising

Yes this is Church over state in a clandestine manner like it often is. Its bullshit and hypocricy, and it happens anyway from dawn of time like mentioned, make money off of it be happy and shut up.

We can still preserve our moral judgements on people, its ok, you can still be the hypocritical bigot, just don't hold everyone else back.

Sexual frustration and suppression is a far more serious issue than we realize, this won't fix it but it could help.

Supressing, judging, and condemning rather than accepting and understanding only fuels our fears and isecurities that make it such and issue in the first place, it allows peoples biastly taught beliefs to command and control even those who don't agree with such beliefs, our rights are being infringed and its mainly because of religion.

Its just another example (for america esp.) of the condemn and throw away policy over the love and embrace policy. These are people's kids and family, grow up and stop making them criminals.

And who has the right to tell people not to do something that not only doesn't hurt them, so therefore is not a threat, but is actually something that concenting ADULTS want to do.

What criteria does a law have to meet to become a law, obviously making sense isn't a prerequisit.

How many matters of personal choice are we going to allow to be controlled by others who can feel free not do them all they want, why is it that they feel the need and are somehow able to stop those who do want to?

"if a person wants to have sex it's okey as long as the feeling's mutual."

What if they want to exchange money for the event, as long as the money exchange feeling is mutual, and they are both legally concenting adults?

Rean, I agree with others that this topic does not include illegal or underage parties being involved. You are talking of a slave trade that just so happens to involve sex.

As for morals on the issue, sex is not a moral issue between two concenting adults, if adultery is involved, or cheating if not married, then whatever degree of responsiblility and commitment a person has pledged to another can be considered a moral issue, for that deals with honoring your word and others. Some couples have open relationships which goes to pointing out again that concentual adult sex is not a moral issue, its other circumstances that have moral issues attached, we need to keep from confusing these things.

Some people feel as strongly about people showing flesh for money, with no sex involved.

You know what I'm not too fond of? How people are so worried about concentual sexual encounters even if money is involved, and how taboo underage sex is especially with adults, then they still have not tried to find a better way of checking for abnormal cells and whatever all they look for during a vaginal exam. They will send little girls into places to have, often older men, go and strip their little girls naked then invade them in ways that are still considered more hard core in the porn world. It amazes me, now I'm ok with being ok with this as long as the girl is ok with this and as long as this practice is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, but with all the technological advances in science and medicine, you would think they could find something better. Not to mention the birthing process, if you haven't had the joy of that hospital nightmare. If you are at all sqweamish about random people veiwing or inserting things into you or you significant other, don't get pregnant.

Oh, and these doctors and nurses, ya, there's money involved.

Who can tell me what moral involves prostitution? And I don't mean a Biblical or religious opinion though I'm curious as to what those are in particular too, like what they see wrong with it.

If you want, please explain to me what you think morals are, even your personal moral beliefs if it behooves you.

I'm also curious about what turns your stomache about it, not to judge you but to reflect on such feeling in comparison to reasonable and rational thougt on the issue.

There are things that turn my stomache for irrational reasons that I don't believe in, but it still happens, and no, that doesn't mean something is obviously wrong.

Isn't prostitution providing a service just like anything else? OK not JUST like anything else, I mean it's not like getting a hair cut, but you know what I mean...

If someone wants to pay for it and someone else wants to sell it, both parties are consenting adults, completely aware of what they're doing, and there isn't any abuse involved, why not?

Perhaps it if was legalized and regulated there wouldn't be such a stigma attached to it, leading to drug abuse, pimps who take advantage of their "power", etc.

Why not indeed. The main argument I've heard against it, and its been awhile since I've heard one against it has to do with it being considered immoral, which doesn't answer the question of why it is illegal or even considered wrong or immoral.

Sex with emotional attachment isn't like getting a hair cut, not unless you are thinking of how much you love the person giving you the haircut. And sex without emotion, well, there are often fluids involved, posistioning, and your hair usually gets dishevled.