# Should prostitution be legalized? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 16, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003 "2003-04-16T02:24:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![superkentclark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@superkentclark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superkentclark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/1 "2003-04-16T02:24:45Z")
To my understanding prostitution is the oldest known profession to mankind. If this is so, why hasnt the US allowed it to be legal? With the legalization of prostitution, the govt could better protect the women who perform the act. Things they could do is stop the pimp abuse and enforce safe-sex mechanisms. The govt could also set up health inspectors to check that the brothels follow the regulations. Regulations could be things like required birth control, condom use, and monthly STD tests. These regulations will improve the cleanliness and health in this line of work that exists regardless of the law. On another note, prostitutes will also become another source for tax dollars. This is always an important factor in governmental decisions. (Why else do we try to repent criminals?.. So that they can become contributing citizens, and that contributing will be in the form of tax dollars.) So, why isnt there a movement now to try and legalize this profession? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/2 "2003-04-16T02:40:12Z")
You know, I thought about openning a thread like this the other day, but I figured it had probablly been played out a number of times already. The “oldest profession” is not meant to be taken literally, BTW. I have no problem with it. You can pay someone to massage you or cut your toenails, so why not? But then, that’s the libertarian in me. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/3 "2003-04-16T03:16:28Z")
We had a thread some time ago which left us all so exhausted that we have never tried it again. You can find it if you search. I guess we can let the newbies do it all over again but for me one was enough. IIRC I believe I was in favor 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/4 "2003-04-16T04:26:43Z")
regarding legalising prostitution, singapore is among the countries who have actually done this. sex-workers must carry a sort of identity card that certifies them as being registered, as well as having passed their weekly(?) medical check-ups. there are certain areas designated as red light areas, and IIRC it is illegal to solicit clients outside these spots. i’m told by some of my friends in the singapore army :rolleyes: that the system works fairly well. simplistically speaking, the main reason why some places are averse to legalising this business is that a stamp of legality would be perceived as being supportive of a lascivious lifestyle. given that most governments work on the plank of family values, there would be considerable backlash from the more traditional sections of the population if they legalised prostitution. but of course, i’m fairly sure this has been done to death in much greater detail somewhere on this board. and also of course, there’s no harm in doing it do death again! 😃 (personal opinion: legalise it. makes things safer. hopefully gives sex-workers more dignity and social acceptability over time.) ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/5 "2003-04-16T04:39:46Z")
regarding legalising prostitution, singapore is among the countries who have actually done this. sex-workers must carry a sort of identity card that certifies them as being registered, as well as having passed their weekly(?) medical check-ups. there are certain areas designated as red light areas, and IIRC it is illegal to solicit clients outside these spots. i’m told by some of my friends in the singapore army :rolleyes: that the system works fairly well. simplistically speaking, the main reason why some places are averse to legalising this business is that a stamp of legality would be perceived as being supportive of a lascivious lifestyle. given that most governments work on the plank of family values, there would be considerable backlash from the more traditional sections of the population if they legalised prostitution. but of course, i’m fairly sure this has been done to death in much greater detail somewhere on this board. and also of course, there’s no harm in doing it do death again! 😃 (personal opinion: legalise it. makes things safer. hopefully gives sex-workers more dignity and social acceptability over time.) ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/6 "2003-04-16T05:22:43Z")
I agree. Legalize it. Several benefits have been mentioned. Another would be that, if legal, acts of prostitution could take place indoors, in “houses of ill repute,” out of everyone else’s way. As it is, in many urban neighborhoods, prostitution creates a lot of “noise pollution” that is annoying to everyone in the vacinity. Also, trying to outlaw it is silly and futile. Thousands of sex acts occur every day. In a small percentage of cases, money changes hands. So what? So long as they are not bothering anyone else, it’s no one’s business but the people involved. ---
**Author:** ![Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susma_Rio_Sep)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/7 "2003-04-16T06:07:17Z")
What exactly is wrong with prostitution? Is it wrong the way murder is wrong? Is it wrong the way stealing is wrong? Is it wrong the way lying is wrong? Is it wrong the way blasphemy is wrong? Is it wrong the way adultery is wrong? Is it wrong the way insulting someone is wrong? I know why it is illegal, namely, because there is a law against it. What are the reasons why a law was made prohibiting prostitution on pain of punishment from the state? This topic will continue to be discussed until everyone comes to the consensus that prostitution should be legalized, or in time the law against prostitution lapses into irrelevancy. Correct if I am in error, there are many laws on sexual behavior, which are still in the books, but have gone into complete desuetude, for example, not kissing your wife on Sundays. Prostitution is now more of a source of income for members of the police vice squads. What we should have are laws regulating the hygiene and sanitation both on the part of the giver and the receiver of sex for money. One very important legislation is that no sex for money should be performed unless the man client or maybe the woman giver, or best both, use a condom. Fornication is still wrong but no one seems to be bothered anymore with it. Adultery is going the way of fornication . . . So, for the sake of taxation, protection of working women, and public health, prostitution should be legalized. About topics having been discussed to death previously, I maintain that we should continue to bring them up and discuss them, until in time with the advance of science and technology and knowledge they become irrelevant, because one side turns out to be the one supported by facts, or everyone sees the merits to be on one side owing to the change in man’s ways of seeing things. Susma Rio Sep ---
**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:** [April 16, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/8 "2003-04-16T07:14:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by superkentclark \* > \*\*To my understanding prostitution is the oldest known profession to mankind. If this is so, why hasnt the US allowed it to be legal? > \*\* [ul] [li]1. People are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases[/li][li]2. Concern over drug abuse connected with prostitution[/li][li]3. Concern over the abuse of prostitutes themselves.[/li][li]4. Many find it immoral.[/li][/ul] I’m positive there are other reasons but those were the big four that entered my mind. I’m in the legalization camp myself. I believe legalization would solve many of the more negative aspects of prostitution. Marc ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/9 "2003-04-16T08:21:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by superkentclark \* > \*\*To my understanding prostitution is the oldest known profession to mankind. If this is so, why hasnt the US allowed it to be legal? \*\* What does that have to do with anything? Killing people is also a pretty old pastime, but it’s still illegal (and in my extremely humble opinion, it should be). As for prostitution, I used to think it should be legal, and the illegalization (if that’s a word) that was done here in Sweden a few years ago has done way more harm than good, but I’m not so sure about the whole issue anymore. I’m on the verge of just accepting that the world is fucked up beyond repair. ---
**Author:** ![Hugekebab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@Hugekebab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugekebab)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/10 "2003-04-16T10:20:21Z")
Are you suggesting that murder is equivocal to paying for sex? Any neo-Augustan attempt to control sexual behaviour is surely in vain. Just ask Julia. ---
**Author:** ![Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susma_Rio_Sep)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/11 "2003-04-16T12:08:10Z")
Priceguy says: * * * As for prostitution, I used to think it should be legal, and the illegalization (if that’s a word) that was done here in Sweden a few years ago has done way more harm than good, but I’m not so sure about the whole issue anymore. I’m on the verge of just accepting that the world is fucked up beyond repair. -------------------------- ‘…illegalization…’? You mean it used to be legal and then it was made by a new legislation to be prohibited in law? Or do you mean its legalization, meaning it was illegal previously and then by law it was rendered legal, i.e., no longer against the law or a crime. If you mean legalization, I would like to know the more harm that legalization has done in Sweden, and also the good though it be less. Please give me some references. The world is not beyond repair; just you and I and everyone here continue exchanging messages on the problems of the world and we will certainly solve problems sooner or later. Just don’t let us solve problems by shooting and bombing, as Bush and his War Party do. Susma Rio Sep ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/12 "2003-04-16T12:10:53Z")
IMO it’s ridiculous to make it illegal to sell something that is perfectly legal to give away for free. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/13 "2003-04-16T12:11:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Susma Rio Sep \* > \*\*Priceguy says: > > * * * > > As for prostitution, I used to think it should be legal, and the illegalization (if that’s a word) that was done here in Sweden a few years ago has done way more harm than good, but I’m not so sure about the whole issue anymore. I’m on the verge of just accepting that the world is fucked up beyond repair. > -------------------------- > > ‘…illegalization…’? > > You mean it used to be legal and then it was made by a new legislation to be prohibited in law? \*\* Yup. It was legal until a few years ago (don’t remember the exact date) and is now illegal. > [@](#): > > **The world is not beyond repair; just you and I and everyone here continue exchanging messages on the problems of the world and we will certainly solve problems sooner or later.** Yeah right. Nothing’s simple anymore. Everything was so easy when I was 5. ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/14 "2003-04-16T12:15:11Z")
While I’m roughly on the legalisation side, an interesting counter point I heard on “The West Wing” was when one character said something like: “What makes you think that just because prostitution was legal, women would want everyone to know they were a prostitute?” ---
**Author:** ![Sardaukar3925](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Sardaukar3925](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sardaukar3925)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/15 "2003-04-16T12:21:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hugekebab \* > \*\*Are you suggesting that murder is equivocal to paying for sex? > > Any neo-Augustan attempt to control sexual behaviour is surely in vain. > > Just ask Julia. \*\* er… “equivocal”? I dont think that word means what you think… Anyway, here in Uruguay its perfectly legal… prostitutes get periodical exams, have social security, ID cards, and even an union. And I just dont see why it should be any different. An ugly job, but I guess its better than nothing… and there will always be a market for it. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/16 "2003-04-16T12:33:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > \*\*IMO it’s ridiculous to make it illegal to sell something that is perfectly legal to give away for free. \*\* True but there are other cases where this occurs. I am aware of a certain gentleman’s club that due to local laws cannot sell alcohol. Therefore they give beer away for free (you heard me right) on a patio next to the club. Yuengling too, so it ain’t even that bad of beer. Also, this reminds me of the recent abortion debates. Both sides say that a woman has the right to control her own body, though the pro-lifers say that the fetus’s right to live outweighs it in some circumstances. Any of the posters there, including the pro-lifers (who are often a more religious and conservative lot) would be hypocritical if they now said that a woman didn’t have the right to control her own body even when we aren’t talking about a fetus. The issue is also very closely tied to drug legalization. The whole point is, if it is your body and no one else is harmed, than you can do whatever the hell you want with it. It seems that I the only counter arguements are that the government is protecting the prostitutes from themselves, which they do not have a right to do; that they are protecting society at large, though any nondesirable business can be zoned away from places they want to protect; and that some religion says it’s wrong, but we separate church and state. Call me crazy but I just don’t see how we can defend keeping it illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/17 "2003-04-16T12:39:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flight \* > **The issue is also very closely tied to drug legalization. The whole point is, if it is your body and no one else is harmed, than you can do whatever the hell you want with it.** The difference is that drug use _does_ harm others. If nothing else, drugs severely affect the behaviour of those taking it, sometimes leading to violence. ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/18 "2003-04-16T12:47:49Z")
> [@](#): > > As for prostitution, I used to think it should be legal, and the illegalization (if that’s a word) that was done here in Sweden a few years ago has done way more harm than good, but I’m not so sure about the whole issue anymore. **priceguy** , care to elucidate on why you are not sure anymore? > [@](#): > > “What makes you think that just because prostitution was legal, women would want everyone to know they were a prostitute?” **dylan73** , if by ‘everyone’ you mean government administrative bodies in charge of tracking sex-worker licences etc, then this is a valid point. but if you mean society in general, then this point does not necessarily hold. all government data is not meant for public perusal…name lists etc need not be made public. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/19 "2003-04-16T12:52:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flight \* > Also, this reminds me of the recent abortion debates. Both sides say that a woman has the right to control her own body, though the pro-lifers say that the fetus’s right to live outweighs it in some circumstances. Any of the posters there, including the pro-lifers (who are often a more religious and conservative lot) would be hypocritical if they now said that a woman didn’t have the right to control her own body even when we aren’t talking about a fetus. This is a strawman. The pro-life side does not argue that “a woman has a right to control her body.” While they would undoubtedly agree with the general sentiment, they would argue that the moment that “control” affects another person, the right of society to legislate the welfare of all involved takes precedence of the woman’s right to control her own body. This is also the view taken with regard to prostitution. It doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Prostitution has, historically, led to social ills. Drug abuse, petty crime, and disease are all reasonably associated with prostitution today. In your city, where do the streetwalkers appear at night? I’m willing to bet it’s not in the area’s best neighborhoods. What is the motive for many, if not most, streetwalkers? I’m willing to bet drug addiction is a major culprit in this career choice. Now, you may argue that legalization would remove the stigma associated with prostitution. And of course the social ills that plague streetwalkers are not found in a $500 per night escort; the two situations are vastly different. So - two main points. Shame on **flight** for a ridiculous strawman. And if legalized prostitution really would remove all the social ills, why does Nevada still have drug-addicted streetwalkers when it also has counties in which prostitution is legal? - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003/20 "2003-04-16T12:53:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dylan\_73 \* > \*\*While I’m roughly on the legalisation side, an interesting counter point I heard on “The West Wing” was when one character said something like: > “What makes you think that just because prostitution was legal, women would want everyone to know they were a prostitute?” \*\* Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean they have to publicly announce their work to friends and family. They can still claim to be marketers or consultants or whatever the current voguish “beard” profession is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legalized/169003.md?page=2)