Robert Kraft - Prostitution.......

[baldgriff]

So I will likely take some flak for this but.......

If two people enter into a consensual agreement where one pays the other for something - why should we care how one guy spends his money.

Yes, I also think that prostitution should be legalized.


Big breath.......... here comes the pile on....

[B-Fly]

I don't mind the idea of legalizing prostitution if we can effectively regulate to protect the health, safety and agency of the prostitutes (and the customers), and if we can enforce minimum age requirements on both the vendor and vendee side of the transactions.

[baldgriff]

I don't mind the idea of legalizing prostitution if we can effectively regulate to protect the health, safety and agency of the prostitutes (and the customers), and if we can enforce minimum age requirements on both the vendor and vendee side of the transactions.

I would agree with all of this as there would be potential health issues. As to age requirements, I would likely think the age of majority. It seems silly in my mind that we have an age where someone can legally enter into a contract - yet cant purchase a case of beer or pack of cigarettes.

[TranaGreg]

of course, the reality on the women's side is that the large majority are not willing participants in a business transaction (though it's nicer for guys to think of it that way)

[B-Fly]

of course, the reality on the women's side is that the large majority are not willing participants in a business transaction (though it's nicer for guys to think of it that way)

Agreed, but a lot of that is driven by the fact that it's a black market business. If it were legalized and thoughtfully regulated, the women would ultimately be far better protected. It's one of those things, like alcohol consumption or pornography, that's never going away, so better to keep it/bring it into the light so it can be somewhat reasonably regulated.

[baldgriff]

Agreed, but a lot of that is driven by the fact that it's a black market business. If it were legalized and thoughtfully regulated, the women would ultimately be far better protected. It's one of those things, like alcohol consumption or pornography, that's never going away, so better to keep it/bring it into the light so it can be somewhat reasonably regulated.

Fly -
You put things so much better than I do. These are also my thoughts.

[Sour Masher]

Agreed, but a lot of that is driven by the fact that it's a black market business. If it were legalized and thoughtfully regulated, the women would ultimately be far better protected. It's one of those things, like alcohol consumption or pornography, that's never going away, so better to keep it/bring it into the light so it can be somewhat reasonably regulated.

I agree as well. I doubt it will ever happen given our puritanical roots, but legalization and strict regulation that included both making sure people are in the business by choice and that everyone conducts themselves safely would be in the best interest for all. As it is, the women involved that are coerced and abused don't often feel they can go to the cops, because of the illegal nature of the activities.

That is the concerning thing about the Kraft story. the place he was going to was caught up in human trafficking. Also, I'm shocked a multi-billionaire was going to a local strip mall massage parlor for such activities. And a man of 77. I'm not at that age yet, but I gotta think you need chemical help to even have much interest and ability, no?

[TranaGreg]

Agreed, but a lot of that is driven by the fact that it's a black market business. If it were legalized and thoughtfully regulated, the women would ultimately be far better protected. It's one of those things, like alcohol consumption or pornography, that's never going away, so better to keep it/bring it into the light so it can be somewhat reasonably regulated.

I'm not against a thoughtful look at legalization & regulation, but let's not jump to any conclusions. For example, looking at Amsterdam, the best model we have for a legal and regulated industry ...

An article in Le Monde diplomatique in 1997 stated that 80% of prostitutes in Amsterdam were foreigners and 70% had no immigration papers

This industry will always prey on the most vulnerable of girls & women, legal or not.

[Sour Masher]

Hmm, that is telling tranagreg. Do you think that is inevitable, or a failing due to the laxness of regulation in Amsterdam?

[TranaGreg]

Hmm, that is telling tranagreg. Do you think that is inevitable, or a failing due to the laxness of regulation in Amsterdam?

Imagine your teenage daughters talking about a career choice. IMO, by definition, it is not a choice that anyone would make unless they are in some serious shit.

Now imagine the same scenario, except that it's a well regulated and legal marketplace. Does that really change anyone's decision on whether or not to become a sex trade worker? Don't get me wrong, it might help some of the women in the trade ... but it would still be a profession that attracts the most vulnerable.

[Sour Masher]

Well, you could say all of that about porn, which is just prostituion with the added issue of being fillmed for all to see. No one wants their daughter doing that either but it has lost some social stigma over the years and the regulation of the industry has been better for the women. And there are women in the industry who are doing it by choice and who don't have serious issues. They just see it as a way to make a crap ton of money fast.

But isn't it sort of silly that prostitution is already legal in this country, just so long as you are filming to create "art"?

[baldgriff]

Well, you could say all of that about porn, which is just prostituion with the added issue of being fillmed for all to see. No one wants their daughter doing that either but it has lost some social stigma over the years and the regulation of the industry has been better for the women. And there are women in the industry who are doing it by choice and who don't have serious issues. They just see it as a way to make a crap ton of money fast.

But isn't it sort of silly that prostitution is already legal in this country, just so long as you are filming to create "art"?

One may be protected as "art" and the other is just a means to making money. They are the same thing when you get to the bottom of it - and it is silly that we parse the activity based on whether it is commercially marketed or not.

[TranaGreg]

whether it is legal and regulated or not, most of the girls that end up in the profession won't have gone into it as a considered choice; rather will have gone into it as a last recourse (or worse).

[TranaGreg]

on a lighter note ...

[B-Fly]

most of the girls that end up in the profession won't have gone into it as a considered choice; rather will have gone into it as a last recourse (or worse).

That's true of a lot of jobs, though. Dishwasher, janitor, maid, fast food worker, retail checkout counter, farmhand, landscaper, sanitation worker, etc. Few jobs are what anyone would have chosen to do in a vacuum. But they all deserve safety, health, dignity, respect.