The bigamy thread has me thinking about this...

[mtblujeans]

why is prostitution against the law? Yes, I know it was one of those laws made hundred of years ago, but why is it against the law to "sell" a service to someone willing to pay?

Something I have wondered for years, but never asked.

Considering a new career, are we??

 

[cardaway]

Well, that just goes to show how little I know about how much something like that would/should cost.

Bad mood today?

 

[dcentity2000]

I don't think that's quite right. The Law is meant to maintain social Order (with a capital O). For example, Violent crimes, such as murder, are not crimes because they are immoral. They are crimes because to allow human beings to kill whomever they want, when ever they want would cause chaos and anarchy.

It just so happens that many, many crimes are immoral. Probably because a great deal of immoral activity contribute to the break down of social order.

Something like Prostitution though...Why is it illegal to sell something that you can give away for free? You can bet that women who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to be a prostitute would be much better off if it were legal. As a previous poster said, the abusive/controlling pimp situations would probably be less of a problem.

Legislating morality is a very tricky situation because not everyone agrees on what is moral or immoral, and we live in a representative democracy where you have to respect everyone's opinion.

Social order is certainly a theory, but not one touted by too many academics. Anarchy, it seems, has quite a few friends on high, even though I do not personally agree with it

[EDIT] Just to say that it's still a fascinating and deep theory, IMO



Rich::

 

[bicker]

I seem to remember a debate about this topic on the West Wing between Josh and the woman's right person he dated. He was for legaliztion she was not, but she eventually turned him her way. Does anyone remember her arguments....he was putting forth the ones seen already in this thread. At the time what she said made me think...but cannot remember for the life of me her arguments.

Her name is Amy. Here's the exchange:

Josh: "[font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]How is making prostitution illegal not suppressing women's rights?"

Amy: "[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]How is making heroin use illegal not suppressing a heroin user's rights?"

Josh: "[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It is, but heroin's bad for you."

Amy: "[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So's being a prostitute."

Josh: "[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]How am I not supposed to call you a hypocrite when you say the government shouldn't tell women what to do with their bodies?"

Amy: "Exercise some self-control, I guess." Then ... "Prostitution is about the subjugation of women by men for profit."

Josh: "T[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]he profit goes to the women."

[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Amy: "In some cases, but I know of no little girl, and neither do you, who says, 'I want to be a prostitute when I grow up.'" [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]

[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][The Women of Qatar, S3-E9]

There's more to the interchange: http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/story.cgi?show=4&story=2547
[/font]
There was also a discussion between Josh and Donna in that episode, wher Donna said, "[font=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]You think if you make prostitution legal, then prostitutes are going to suddenly want everyone to know they're prostitutes?"[/font]

 

[poohandwendy]

Why is making a porno-flick legal, but prostitution isn't? Both are sex for moolah.

Interesting point. I guess you are allowed to pay people to have consentual sex, but not to actually pay someone to have sex with you. I wonder, then, if it is illegal for the person who is paying the actors to actually take part in the porn?

 

[bicker]

Bad mood today?

Nope. Sincerely amused about how little I know about something.

 

[cardaway]

Not that I can link to anything since this topic is DIS borderline as it is, but search and check out how many stories and shows have been done on the many legal sidesteps people have been doing around the these laws. Yet another thing that has changed with technology.

 

[cardaway]

Nope. Sincerely amused about how little I know about something.

I guess I'm surprised then. An average legit night out with a woman can easily come to over $300. The people on these shows were arguing why go through the night if the only interest is the end of the evening, not a relationship, and these were women talking.

 

[bicker]

I think the last time I went out on a date with anyone other than my wife, it cost about $80. Talk about inflation!

 

[poohandwendy]

I want to date Mike! $300, wow...that is expensive.

 

[Sleepy]

While prostitution is not legal here, the law is not enforced. You see prostitutes out in bright daylight along the ehem......service lanes...for anyone familiar with large cities where major roads have service roads. Honestly, no pun intended. Sure, they are out in the open, but they don't bother anyone and are very discreet with their actual business. Hmm....if only we could get a second service lane to avoid having the "shoppers" stop in the middle of the road for a price check