Should prostitution be legalized in the United States?

I was engaged in a conversation on how with all the moral saber rattling in Washington DC, the "personal escort services" in that area seems to be alive and thriving rather well. This led to the above question.So do you think that the legalization of prostitution would create problems, solve problems, or have no effect? What are your thoughts?

Here is some background;http://www.sexwork.com/coalition/whatcountrieslegal.htmlhttp://www.zenit.org/article-20747?l=englishhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/09/national/main3037338.shtml Asked by Frognw 50 months ago Similar questions: prostitution legalized United States Lifestyle > Sexuality.

Similar questions: prostitution legalized United States.

Yes DISCLAIMER First, a definition of what I think should be legal: sexual acts between (or among) consenting adults, whether or not money changes hands. I mention this up front, because I want it to be clear that I do NOT support child 'sexwork,' which is sometimes thrown back as an objection. Sex with minors is illegal, regardless of financial transactions, and the only change I'd make is consideration of the ratio and/or absolute difference in age between an adult & a minor: an 18-year-old "adult" should not get into legal trouble for having sex with a 17-year-old minor.

That's just stupid. JUSTIFICATION FOR MY "Yes" IMHO, legalizing prostitution would solve more problems than it might cause, at the very least for the persons directly involved. It would go a long way toward eliminating a distinct form of parasite: the pimp.

Prostitutes would have the full protection of the Law that any other profession enjoys, so there's no need for a snappy-dressing thug to live off the labors of others. A woman who freely chooses to pursue this work, would not have to worry about the Vice Squad popping up & ruining her life, and we could re-assign those officers to "protect & serve" their communities (I, for one, don't feel 'protected' by police raids on prostitution rings). It would be possible to establish health code guidelines that would safeguard the professionals AND the clients, and facilitate treatment for drug addicts who want help: surely THAT would be better for everyone?

I contend that the act of prostitution, as defined in my disclaimer, is a victimless "crime. " OBJECTIONS Having read the links you provided, I am reminded of the slavery/trafficking question, which is apparently big business. It is, however, an ILLEGAL business, and prosecution should continue on that front.

I wonder how much of this is caused by the fact that prostitution is legal 'here' but not 'there'? This also undercuts objections to the "sexual tourism" industry: if the UN CEDAW were enacted throughout the world, there'd be less incentive to travel to Thailand, the Philippines, or Nevada. As for prostitution objectifying women: that ship sailed before there were ships.

Since prehistory, women have been treated as a commodity by men, who have taken them as trophies in war innumerable times; amassed large harems; and otherwise practiced polygamy in just about every conceivable form. Homo sapiens exhibits noticeable sexual dimorphism especially as to average body size differences, which may have its origins in males fighting to secure breeding rights. Legislate against biology (or at least bullying!) all you want: the real cure, is education & legal protection of the rights of women.

As for women not WANTING to earn money this way: is that not affected in many cases by the illegality & consequent dangers of the profession? Legalization would remove some of the stigma & mitigate these dangers. Some women will never want to do it, but have little choice because they lack other skills--in which case, are we helping them, by prosecuting them?

I don't see them lining up to thank the police for THAT. As for the case that "selling" your body is wrong: Dr. Joycelyn Elders noted that athletes & actors make their living that way. I contend it's not selling, it is renting physical access to the body, for a specified time & purpose.

If that's wrong, other forms of paid access are crimes too: surrogate motherhood, sperm donation, massage therapy, martial arts training, posing nude for artists... where does one draw the line? Shouldn't our legal system be consistent? FINAL NOTE Nothing else will convince opponents of legalization, so let me point out that if you REALLY, REALLY want to cripple prostitution, GET THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED IN ITS LEGAL OPERATION!

As cited in McCulloch v. Maryland: "the power to tax involves the power to destroy." I understand Rumsfeld isn't very busy right now--maybe he can be cajoled into applying his managerial expertise here.

Yep! And so should marijuana ... only my opinion, of course, but currently, I live in Nevada. You may or may not know that prostitution is legal here, except for Clark County (Las Vegas).

The women are tested regularly, given physicals weekly and not allowed to leave the brothels while under contract, except for going for their physicals and they are escorted by the brothel management. One of the brothel owners provides Thanksgiving & Christmas meals for our seniors, pay horrendous taxes and buys locally, thus giving income to the community. Uh-oh ... just occurred to me that maybe I might look like a brothel employee!

No, used to manage the Radio Shack dealership here and then a cellular phone store, so the "girls" and owners/managers were, at one time or another, customers of mine. I truly think it would eliminate a lot of underage runaways from being killed or screwed-up for life --- the brothels won't hire 'em here, but they are certainly prevalent in Las Vegas and jailed regularly and killed regularly and abused regularly in every way imaginable. About the marijuana, don't use it either and that is a whole 'nother question up for grabs, eh?.

After all, it is supposedly the world's oldest profession, although I have to think farmers were around first. But, the point is, its been around forever and isn't going to go away, so why not legalize it and make it safe? It's legal in certain countries such as the Netherlands and hasn't caused a total collapse of their society.

Nor has that happened in Germany. Think of the advantages: the ladies who ply their trade would have to be checked by doctors on a weekly basis for signs of any diseases and would proudly display their certificate on the wall of their room. Then, their gentlemen visitors wouldn't need to be as concerned about contracting a serious disease although the possibility would always be present I suppose between check-ups.

And here's an advantage for the government: since the ladies would be licensed, they would be paying their taxes and more money would be flowing into the government coffers. I doubt seriously if very many ladies of the evening declare what they make and file tax returns. In addition, the criminal element would be taken out of the picture - no more pimps, no more shady characters beating on the women because they failed to take in "x" number of dollars in an evening and that can only be considered an advantage.

Prostitution has been around for centuries and in some societies such as ancient Rome and even in the American West, the prostitute was looked upon, not with scorn, but as an honest working woman. Of course, in Victorian times, the prostitute had to go underground in Europe especially, but they were still around plying their trade. And don't forget the somewhat opulent houses these ladies stayed in right here in the US during the 19th and early 20th century.It was more like a men's club where you could go have a drink, sit back, relax, pick a lady and then accompany her to her room.

Geez, remember Miss Kitty on "Gunsmoke? " While it was never stated, it was rather obvious what she was - and it was more than just a saloon owner! So, why not bring it out into the open and join the other countries that have legalized this what used to be, honorable profession?

It's going to be around for as long as men and women exist and have urges and I don't see that dying off any time soon (unless you're my ex-wife, but we won't go there! ), so why shouldn't it be cleaned up and the government can get their fair share of the money as well? Looks like a win-win situation to me.

Sources: The story Channel - story of Prostitution (just stumbled on it one night) and my personal opinion OldppieHatesNewAV's Recommendations The Lost Sisterhood: Prostitution in America, 1900-1918 Amazon List Price: $20.95 Used from: $4.44 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 2 reviews) Prostitution and Victorian Society: Women, Class, and the State Amazon List Price: $34.99 Used from: $3.98 Daughters of Joy, Sisters of Misery: Prostitutes in the American West, 1865-90 Amazon List Price: $19.00 Used from: $7.19 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 2 reviews) Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women Amazon List Price: $14.95 Used from: $2.86 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 95 reviews) How could I forget about the famous Mustang Ranch in Nevada? Possibly because I've never been there!.

Just my opinion... This may not be a popular opinion but I think it should be. Why? Because prostitution does happen in the United States...and it is going to continue to happen.

If it was made legal it could be better controlled, prostitutes could be given regular medical exams and blood tests. In other countries like the Netherlands prostitution is legal and there are few cases of STDs being spread via prostitution. I am not sure why people are generally threatened...just because something is legal does not mean people would have to partake.

Generally I do not think it would increase the number of people using prostitution it would just make the whole process safer. It could even be taxed and prostitutes would be licensed. ChicagoTRS's Recommendations Borat - My Sister Is #4 Prostitute T-Shirt .

Sure Prostitution is like drug use. It ain't gonna go away and legalizing and regulating it would wipe out most of the problems associated with it. But the Bible Thumpers and moralists who are more interested in punishing sin than solving problems would never stand for it..

What changes would you like to see in the United States.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.