# ok, tell me what's "wrong" with prostitution? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 15, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859 "2002-11-15T12:43:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/1 "2002-11-15T12:43:34Z")
dopers, to quote george carlin “selling is legal, fucking is legal, why isn’t selling fucking legal?” “in the army they give you a medal for spraying napalm on people, in civilian life they arrest you for giving someone an orgasm” let the flaming commence unclviny (in his fireproof undies) ---
**Author:** ![Riboflavin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/2 "2002-11-15T12:59:47Z")
They “charge” too much. Thank you, I’ll be here all week! ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/3 "2002-11-15T13:09:17Z")
Hell if I know. Brothels are legal here. Just keep it off the streets. Everybody hates a hustler no matter what they’re selling. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/4 "2002-11-15T13:10:50Z")
Dude, just because you’re having a bit of trouble [dating](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144136) doesn’t mean you need to resort to this! Yes, I know hookers don’t generally ask about marriage and children, but I think your solution is a bit extreme. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/5 "2002-11-15T13:17:23Z")
We had a huge discussion of this topic on GD some time ago and most participants were exhausted at the end. Personally I think outlawing prostitution is stupid and puritanical but I am not about to redo that old thread again. ---
**Author:** ![Sebhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@Sebhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sebhal)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/6 "2002-11-15T13:23:19Z")
Prostitution is wrong only in that people are forced into the sex industry and exploited when they’re there. I’ve long thought the best way to deal with it is to make sure it’s regulated, at least then it’s as safe as it can possibly be for as many people as possible. Yes, you’re always going to have the drug-addicted girls on the street, a prostitution underclass, but that’s no reason not to protect as many as possible. One’s never going to get rid of it, no matter how unsavoury one may find it, so live with it. N. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/7 "2002-11-15T13:23:30Z")
I don’t see why (without invoking religious moralities) the prostitution should be conceptually illegal, however, I think the implementation of prostitution in the ‘civilised west’ is generally bad, bad bad. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/8 "2002-11-15T13:44:09Z")
Regulate it and tax it, that’s my motto. Probably restrict access to those over 18. I **like** the thought that high school boys are still as frustrated as I was. But I also think you’d have to overcome a societal attitude against the practitioners. Without that it’ll remain a profession for the downtrodden and rejected. And that’s bad. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/9 "2002-11-15T14:06:53Z")
When I become ruler of the universe, I’m legalizing it. You’ll need a license to ply your trade, and every month you go to the clinic for a checkup. You’ll get medical benefits, of course; for the newcomers this’ll cover on-the-job accidents (!), and for the veterans, it’s full coverage. Each brothel will be managed by a licensed madam - or, in the interests of removing discrimination, mister. All fees will be set - when you walk into the place, there’ll be a menu, just like at the drive-through at McDonald’s. “I’ll have a number 6,” you’ll say. “Yes, supersized!” Wheeee! I can’t wait! ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/10 "2002-11-15T14:10:57Z")
personally, i find nothing wrong with it, i don’t mean the street walker thing, i’m talking “escort” type deals, adults who have made up their own minds, in the privacy of a motel, i’m struggling to see the downside (other than jail, that’s a HUGE downside for me). unclviny ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/11 "2002-11-15T14:54:45Z")
i’ll have a number 4, two number 3’s and a number 1 to go (haha) unclviny ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/12 "2002-11-15T16:40:46Z")
Gimme a bottle of anything… and a glazed face! To GOOOOOOOOOO! ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/13 "2002-11-15T16:42:35Z")
Well, it’s illegal for me to get $20 from a guy for giving him head. It’s perfectly acceptable, though, for me to demand meals, movies, and jewelry. So…prostitution is perfectly legal, as long as you work on the barter system, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/14 "2002-11-15T16:48:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*When I become ruler of the universe, I’m legalizing it. … > > Wheeee! I can’t wait! \*\* Me neither! When dantheman becomes ruler of the universe, I hope I can snag a position as a Brothel Madame. What a great job! Hopefully, its one of those jobs where you don’t have to “work your way up”. Personally, I find prostitution a little icky, as a job choice. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/15 "2002-11-15T16:48:12Z")
You got a deal there **Hamadryad**. I’ll buy you meals, movies and jewelry until the $20 run out! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/16 "2002-11-15T16:55:41Z")
Legalize it, regulate it, make it a trade that you have to learn and get licensed to practice just like becoming a massage therapist or chiropractor. Probably not as much schooling is necessary, but would that be a great school or what? ---
**Author:** ![Venoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@Venoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venoma)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/17 "2002-11-15T17:03:22Z")
Hah, **Ethrilist**! I always said there should be a course on oral sex in school 😉 would save a lot of folks from baaad experiences. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/18 "2002-11-15T17:35:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\* All fees will be set - when you walk into the place, there’ll be a menu, just like at the drive-through at McDonald’s. “I’ll have a number 6,” you’ll say. “Yes, supersized!” > Wheeee! I can’t wait! \*\* Dude, you should pay a visit to Kabukicho, Tokyo, someone had that idea before you. (I believe you can even make internet reservations - at least, that’s what I heard…) ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/19 "2002-11-15T17:57:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Venoma \* > \*\*I always said there should be a course on oral sex in school 😉 would save a lot of folks from baaad experiences. \*\* Considering how bad some of my classes were in junior high and high school, this truly makes my blood run cold. Not to mention the mental image of some of my former teachers showing how to really suck a cock… Egad. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859/20 "2002-11-15T18:10:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by unclviny \* > \*\*dopers, > to quote george carlin > “selling is legal, fucking is legal, why isn’t selling fucking legal?” > “in the army they give you a medal for spraying napalm on people, in civilian life they arrest you for giving someone an orgasm” > > let the flaming commence > > unclviny (in his fireproof undies) \*\* There are a lot of reasons why it is illegal. Many people consider it immoral, some believe it is a health risk, and others just don’t want it in their neighborhood. I find it rather icky and I wouldn’t fuck a prostitute with a rented dick nor would I want prostitutes in my neighborhood. That said, I do believe a lot of the problems associated with prostitution could be greatly alleviated by making it legal. Marc [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-tell-me-whats-wrong-with-prostitution/136859.md?page=2)