@cherry cocaine-
I was just curious as your earlier source which I was responding to was based on free market ideology. Indeed the same is equally true of your more recent source too. So then your argument would be that free market ideology is only applicable to the prostitution industry? If so I am curious to hear your explanation as to why prostitution is a substantially unique career as to justify differential legal treatment relative to other careers.

I haven't read all this, I'm just going to bring up one issue that's been touched upon.

Making prostitution legal would make it the same as any other job on the planet where you are employed by someone else. It's the luck of the draw whether you get a decent employer or not, whether you're a prostitute, a burger flipper, a builder or a seamstress, it makes no different. Some employers are great and care about their staff's welfare and treat them well, some don't.

In whatever business you are in there's a sliding scale from the great down the the terrible employer. At least if you are employed in a lawful profession there are other options open to you if your employer turns out to be a scumbag. You can join a union, you can start proceedings against them, you can report them to governing bodies. Granted doing these things and whatever else may be open to you may get you nowhere at all, but compared to a woman who'll get killed by her pimp if she says a word out of line, it's one hell of a lot better than nothing!

Originally Posted by Crimson Fang

@cherry cocaine-
I was just curious as your earlier source which I was responding to was based on free market ideology. Indeed the same is equally true of your more recent source too. So then your argument would be that free market ideology is only applicable to the prostitution industry? If so I am curious to hear your explanation as to why prostitution is a substantially unique career as to justify differential legal treatment relative to other careers.

Because there are a bajillion other careers out there that I've not put thought into as far as your question goes and my knowledge of what exactly "free market ideology" is is limited. I suppose based on what I know, if pressed to give a yes or no answer, I'd say yes, I'm probably pro-free market ideology but can understand the need for regulations in some industries.

Originally Posted by jellysundae

Making prostitution legal would make it the same as any other job on the planet where you are employed by someone else. It's the luck of the draw whether you get a decent employer or not, whether you're a prostitute, a burger flipper, a builder or a seamstress, it makes no different. Some employers are great and care about their staff's welfare and treat them well, some don't.

I think it's a common misconception that prostitutes have to work for someone else. Lots of ladies work for themselves. Only addressing one part of your post there, but I see that sentiment a lot.

*goes off to research free market stuff*

Originally Posted by cherry cocaine

@Philomel- Why would there still be the possibility of fines with decriminalization?

Because, when something is "decriminalized", not all penalties are removed. Many places that have decriminalized pot, for example, still fine people for using or selling it, or at the very least confiscate it when they catch someone with it. Decriminalization removes penalties that include jail time and basically means that society does not view it as a problem and has wiped its hands of the issue. They don't accept it, it's still viewed basically the same way, it's just something that they've decided is more trouble to try and stop than it's worth. Legalization removes all penalties and means that society accepts it as being lawful.

I disagree that rapes would go unreported to the same extent that they do today with decriminalization. Many sex workers do not report rape and assault for fear of legal repercussions. Remove the fear of severe legal repercussions like jail time and they would feel safer reporting violent incidents.

The biggest issue is not the jail time they may face, but the way in which they're viewed by police and the fact that, if the police refuse to take a rape or assault allegation seriously, which they very well may, there is no one else to turn to. You're powerless. If it's legal, there are other avenues to raise awareness of police refusing to protect someone engaging in a legal practice.

I also don't see how legalization would make it that much easier to tell coerced/sex slavery than decriminalization would. I'm not totally knowledgeable on the subject, but I think that what might help would be to keep pandering (i.e., pimping) illegal, combined with decriminalization of prostitution.

If it were legalized, there would be background checks, check-ups, likely some sort of certification. Those who engage in prostitution that would still be illegal even if prostitution itself were legal would stick out to authorities and possible customers as well.

It would also eliminate child sex slaves being charged with prostitution. The way the law is, in the US at least, children who are rescued from sex trafficking rings are charged with prostitution and arrested. It does not matter that they can't legally consent to what's being done to them. They're a little better off if they were abducted oversees and then brought here, but if you're native to the US, you have no legal protection. At the *very* least, it would mean these children are not arrested and charged with a crime when they are the victims. Hopefully, it would open the way for more responsible and helpful legislation. People are always iffy about creating laws to protect criminals, even if they're victims themselves, even if they didn't choose that life.

Originally Posted by Philomel

Because, when something is "decriminalized", not all penalties are removed. Many places that have decriminalized pot, for example, still fine people for using or selling it, or at the very least confiscate it when they catch someone with it. Decriminalization removes penalties that include jail time and basically means that society does not view it as a problem and has wiped its hands of the issue. They don't accept it, it's still viewed basically the same way, it's just something that they've decided is more trouble to try and stop than it's worth. Legalization removes all penalties and means that society accepts it as being lawful.

Oh, the marijuana analogy is a good one. I wasn't aware of this really. You bring up some good points. Gotta run but will think about them and address them later.

In many ways, legalisation of prostitution helps and empowers women, so I don't agree with what you said about "women needing more respect for themselves." Why are you making the judgement that prostitutes, because they make their living in the sex trade, have no respect for themselves?

Originally Posted by cherry cocaine

I think it's a common misconception that prostitutes have to work for someone else. Lots of ladies work for themselves. Only addressing one part of your post there, but I see that sentiment a lot.

*goes off to research free market stuff*

It goes both ways though. Simply because a job becomes legalized does not rule out the possibility of being self employed. I would also disagree with your notion that this is the only job which does not require regulation. Regulation is not only a means of protecting the employees, but also a means of protecting those who wish to purchase the services and/or goods.

@Crimson- I don't think I said that this is the only job that doesn't need regulation.

You're very prejudice against prostitutes, and that is NOT a good thing

for one, the spread of STD's can be prevented

Two, it's no more degrading for women than it is men. yes, we see more female prostitutes, but there are male prostitutes as well.

You don't seem to realize that it's not the hooking that is the problem, it's the human trafficking and pimps that are the problem. Do you have any idea how many of these people are forced into prostitution with no way out?

It's the pimps and the human traffickers who you should have a problem with if anything.

As for the women who are not being forced into it by pimps or traffickers, or even the women who don't feel the need to support a drug or alcohol addiction, what is the harm in being a prostitute? They're not hurting anyone, and if a John chooses to solicit them, then the John is only hurting him/herself.

Several of my friends are sex workers. I see no problem with it, if it is between two consenting adults. I am, however, against the whole 'pimping' concept. It adds an air of coersion, which should never be involved in sex of any kind. As for girls 'getting a real job'... this is offensive. It IS a real job. It is the exchange of money for an act of service. Otherwise, it would not be known as "The World's Oldest Profession".