why is prostitution illegal?

Not sure if this can be discussed here. Just curious I guess. Not that I want to be one. Is not a moral issue because "free sex" "premartial sex" happens every day. Again, not a "moral" issue as both men and women have had "multiple partners" in their lifetime.

So why is prostitution so hated and illegal. A male friend's opinion is that women would make tooooo much money and why pay for what one can get for free. Not really a good answer, yet it is sooooo frowned upon by society.

Porn in a sense is prostituion as they are getting paid for sex for the viewers entertainment? Sex is love? Love is sex?

It makes people envious?

Its not hated and illegal everywhere. It tends to be more so in areas where certain religions are dominant. It's also about control. People don't "like" the idea that anyone can just pay a woman (usually) for sex. I guess it just goes against some people's ideals of what is right and good. Its similar to nude/topless dancing. When I was 18 I met a topless dancer and she was a normal person. It really made me think about it and though I wouldn't do it, I can respect someone who does.

Not sure, I think they should legalize it, it would be controlled and much safer, "pimping" would have to a professional thing and the women would be able to get checked, hospitalized if needed, housed, payed properly and still make money. People kidnapping children to be forced in to prostitution would be easier to focus on.

I'm not for prostitution but I think it would be a lot better if it were to be legalized.

I think it is because the government can't regulate it. How many prostitutes would report their earnings to the tax man honestly?

I have long held the belief that in a free society one owns one's own body. If someone chooses to grant sexual favors in exchange for money, who am I or anyone else to stop them. If I want to sell a kidney, who has they moral right to say I cannot do so, it is MY kidney.

After all if a woman marries a man (or vice versa) because he is wealthy, it is the same thing, no one is arresting "gold diggers" last time I checked.

How many do now?

Wow, I had to refrain from a very sarcastic remark. I am totally proud of myself, even if I am telling you I didn't say un-said remark. Tee hee.

while I don't agree with the whole idea of prostitution, I do wish it was legal. then the pimps would be held more accountable for abuse(a boss can't do to workers what pimps do to their workers) and there would be a HECK of a lot less killings of young women.

I watched on TV once where the statistics show that 8 times out of 10 it's the woman that goes to jail and not the customer-guy.

why doesn't a guy ever kill the "johns" that hire the prostitutes? I've always wondered that It's never done ......
yet thousands of women have been murdered in the industry.....
seems women are regarded as more vile or something.
and the "johns" are often even married and doing such things behind their families back, sometimes spreading diseases to their "loved ones" .....
I just don't get it......... *sigh*....... who is more vile????

fins

I've heard that in France it is legal and that the girls have to get monthly STD screenings. I also don't think it would be THAT hard to regulate taxes and such with them... I mean, it's a service, like any other. What works for the plumber or the electrician legally/financially could work for the prostitute, too, right? So it's a little less sexy to carry a ledger around with you... Some guys might like that, hehehe.

Though, I'm pretty much down for legalizing and taxing everything...

The one-on-one sexual encounter is not the full issue. The street prostitution, as it would be made "legal" is.

From a 2001 article: JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF ALBERTA

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution

From: http://child-abuse.com/childhouse/ch...ion/part1.html
http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byiss...stitution.html

Here's an interesting article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ion.html?cat=9

hi there, its illegal to sell 'sex services' but escorting is selling ' time and companionship and you choose the service provided' well theres no difference just the legal loop holes. its one of the oldest professions that is a '***** house'. hope this answers your question. takecare xxx.

I believe it's mostly a male dominance thing, like why women had to wear hats in churches and be overly clothed; they were "bad"/temptresses, it wasn't the man's fault, he can't help but be a man and want to mate. Women don't have those urges, don't you know. When was the last time you heard of a gigolo/male prostitute being arrested? Some men are violent toward gay men and not much nicer toward women taking control of their own sexuality either.

Gosh Perna, I sure hope you don't believe this neanderthal way of thought!

yea, right... it's NOT culturally accepted to have those as a woman.... so they are suppressed and come out as migraines, mood swings and other body dysfunctions.

Some are NOT giving up their diluted prowess without a fight...... it's sad, as-- no good ever comes from oppression and injustice.

fins

There are different types of prostitution, though most of what we hear about are females being abused or arrested. Male, female, children are all prostituted.

The wearing of hats by women in church is a Bible thing, not a male dominance demand.

If we really think about this, there is plenty of prostitution going on in the world: men who have their "girl friends" move in with them without any other commitment can be considered one aspect of it. He's paying for it, but not in the obvious way of cash in the motel room or back alley.

There is a horrific child trafficking problem not just in other countries, but in the USA. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/lis...factsheet.html

I doubt that making adult prostitution legal would make less child prostituting and trafficking.

I think legalizing prostitution would have benefits and withdrawals. No, it wouldn't stop some of the abuse, but it would help some. It's legal in one county in Nevada (last I checked), and there hasn't been one STD reported with the women getting tested regularly and using condoms.

Pimps are known to beat and rape the women who work for them. The pimp lifestyle is glorified and makes me sick. The women are usually afraid to say anything when they're arrested (and yes, it's usually the prostitute, not the john or the pimp, who gets in trouble), because they know the pimp can and will harm them or someone they love.

I also get angry about people who speak about prostitutes in a derogatory fashion, because most didn't choose the profession, and others didn't know what they were getting into. The few (I believe it's only a few) who are happy being prostitutes don't deserve to be denigrated, either. Women are still sluts, while men are still studs.

Wanted to comment on the "street prostitution" comment... In my opinion, if prostitution was legal, there would be no need for street prostitutes. Actually one reason for making prostitution legal would keep the "ladies of the night" off the streets and in a safer environment..

Also pimps would be history as they would no longer be needed. Come to think of it, the ladies would get a bigger cut of the money earned without pimps. So legalizing prostitution would remove both the "ladies" and pimps from the streets...

Dang what would the world be like with "professional prostitutes" making enough money to be on the Forbes list, world's richest people... grins

I'd think there would also be less abuse if prostitution was legal and regulated. Am thinking also more on the line of "brothels". Brothels in every state... Or gee, how about a "brothel in the line of an amusement park, housing a variety of tastes and excitement".... Can you visualize a brothel theme park the size of Disney World? Wonder if the men would be standing in line as folks do in over crowded amusement parks..

Ok, getting back on track... Will have to get back.. lost my train of thought... oops

On "child trafficking"....Legalizing prostitution would not make "child trafficking" worse..imho............such a different topic, brings tears to my eyes just typing this..Those filthy people who want children grrrrrrrrrrr...

I would like to think that legalizing prostitution would stop child trafficking but that really is not true...wishful thinking is all that would be.......

Guess I really don't know what to say about this... Sadness overcomes me...

Pretty much the same type of stats with drug dealers and drug buyers fins. They almost always arrest the supply side.

For clarification only, twelve counties in Nevada allow prostitution though only eight have existing brothels. Also, there has never been a case (since mandatory testing began in the mid 80's) of HIV, though there have been other STD's diagnosed.

I don't like to see anyone talked poorly about and prostitutes are no different however, while I agree that many didn't know what they were getting into, I do disagree that most didn't choose the profession unless you are referring to 'economically forced' but I still think that's a choice.

I jumped right in without thinking, thinking I had all the answers and in reality I have none. I should not have responded in any way to the "child trafficking" issue. Thinking right off hand that legalizing prostituion would solve some of the world's problems with abuse of women, children and even men. Maybe just a small percentage but even that is a start..

But then the topic is "why is prostitution illegal". Thinking the topic would focus only on "folks" that are of age and not minors. But again, "prostitution" touches on many areas. Unfortunately it can touch on drugs and abuse of minors...Maybe this thread wasn't such a good idea....I guess in my "magical thinking" that if prostitution was legal, there would be less abuse towards "people" men, women. Especially those of "legal age" that are "working" the streets...Minors never enter my mind at the time I started the thread............

radio, I understand the desire to fix all the problems in the world. I do think that legalization of many of the random things governments deem as illegal would go a long way to helping and not hurting. You have a good and valid question and I think for the most part, a lot of thoughtful replies have been added.

The woman's long hair was her "strength" (remember Solomon?) and had to be kept "under wraps" so the men wouldn't be in danger.

http://www.gotquestions.org/hair-length.html

Thanks perpetuallysad. And, yes,I agree, there are alot of thoughtful responses. I wanted to respond to several other responses, but I tripped over my own thoughts and retreated. Silly me..So I am back on target ..I think..