SEX AND THE STREETS, EEEEEEXXCELLENT SMITHERS (Should prostitution be legalised?)

Member Name: mr blonde

Product:	Should prostitution be legalised?
Date:	21/05/02 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

I think that prostitution should also be legalised in this country, and I do have reasons, so please, do not think I am some perverted teenager, I do have some reasons for my choices of opinions!

If we take a look at countries like Amsterdam, where prostitution is not only legal, but a major tourist attraction, and we take a look at crime rates over there in comparison to over here, there is a stark contrast in the sense that their's is far lower than ours. There are less rapings, there are far fewer prostitutes on the streets, there is less STD, and also the prostitutes themselves are actually clean, whereas because of having to apply their trade, so to speak, on the dirty streets, disease among prostitutes in this country is at a hugely high figure, with risks of things like aids etc at a real threatening height.

I do however, think that if prostitution were to become legalised, that there would have to be firm laws placed, in order to make sure that it was an effective law, such as testing for disease weekly/monthly, and also, that it should only be able to occur in places such as brothels, in an attempt to take it off the dirty streets, and at least into a cleaner, more hygienic environment.

Also, the amount of girls and boys under age that look to prostitution should drop because of the laws allowing people of age of consent to do this under strict rules, and in designated places such as brothels etc.

I reckon that this op is going to get slated heavily, but as many people keep telling me, dooyoo is about my opinion, and this is my opinion. I also know many post adolescents will probably say that it is because of my age that I hold this opinion, but to be perfectly honest, I don't personally put that down as my reason (fair dos, it may well have an effect on it I know).

Prostitution has been around for centuries, it has always been an outcasting subject, but it has also always been something that many pe
ople have not shied away from doing. What about people who are desperate and cannot do anything else, at least if it becomes legalised then these people would have some sort of providing for. Let's face it, most escort agencies are basically offering prostitution in the deal and they are still legal.

Prostitutes may have a bad reputation, but let's face it, things like Eastenders are making the issues far more clear, instead of the usual "oh they are just dirty sluts" idea. They are showing that when someone is desperate and have no choice, that they can be forced into going on the game so to speak. There is a definite problem in the UK at the moment in the sense that those who are on the streets, that don’t have a choice, who resort to prostitution are being victimised by the police. The technicalities of making prostitution legalised are formidable, but I feel that even creating 2 types of prostitutes, namely legal and illegal, I feel that that has to be better than just having illegal ones. At least legal prostitutes would be able to prove whether they are “clean” and I do use that term loosely. I feel that more and more people would want t become legalised if they were prostitutes, as at least they would have benefit from the state, whereas illegal ones rely on their pimps to keep them off the streets. At least legal ones could take advantage of not just being classed as a whore in order to better themselves, and to try and make a career in another industry for themselves.

The subject is a matter that will never go away, as the law stands with it being illegal, there is always going to be opposition, which will talk of it becoming legalised. If the law changes there will always be opposition to that notion. In many ways maybe it is better the devil that you know. In other ways, maybe a change would bring a change in the attitude towards the people who actually are desperate enough to have to su
bmit themselves to that kind of what could be classed as abuse.

Prostitutes as it stands have to suffer being raped, being beaten, drug abuse (although not with all) is common throughout prostitutes. Legalisation would at very least take away more of the dangers, and take that risk off the streets for the people. It is one thing saying that there would be a divide between legal and illegal, but I strongly feel that more and more prostitutes would aim to become legal as they started to see the benefits of safety and cleanliness. The thought of not being raped, having clean places to “apply their trade” instead of cold dark alleyways. Even little things like having small comforts like somewhere to go when they need help, or even in the silliest of forms on such a strong argument, if it is raining and they want to escape the weather. All of these things are attractions towards legalisation.

Take the example of a prostitute, she is illegally working the streets late at night in the winter, it is hammering down with rain, she is desperate (stereotypical I apologise) for her fix, and not doing much business tonight. That is a catch 22 situation, she cannot win either way she looks at it. If she were legally allowed to be a prostitute, and she worked in a brothel, she would have constant work, and therefore money, she would have a home, safety, and a warm place to apply herself to her work, at least she would not wake up with pneumonia.

Prostitution is a difficult subject to work around for this review, and I suppose that is an obvious statement. I do like the review that Sexy_Kay has written. She has illustrated the arguments against mine perfectly in all honesty, and in fairness I have used my own views to try and argue against her point. I do feel that it should be legalised, and I feel that as a country we would be better for it. However, I do agree with her on the point that she made about how would it be managed,
such as licensing and brothels because that would take an enormous amount of time and money. But at the same time as saying that, does it not already cost a lot and take a lot of time to try and stop the problem altogether? At least in legalisation, it would be far easier to manage a problem, and wean it out gradually, rather than to leave it as it is, and try and irradicate it all in one go. Being able to manage a legal problem is better than trying to manage an illegal problem and prostitution is no exception to that.

The government will always argue that prostitution is something that cannot be legalised for moral reasons, and in many ways they are right. However, surely it is immoral to allow people who are desperate enough to have to lower themselves to this industry to go on being desperate! Is it just typical human nature to allow people to suffer, is it the age-old saying of “out of sight, out of mind” all over again. As a nation, we are excellent about only caring about ourselves, and shutting out the misery of others. Many people claim on the dole every week, many need the benefit of the state, many can work, and are just too lazy to get off their backsides to do anything about it. What about prostitutes, they suffer in order to try and scrape a living, why shouldn’t the state at least help them a little by giving them some peace, and some sanctuary. After all, at least they are trying to make a living, not just lounging around bumming off the state. I hear you argue that they could be claiming of the state themselves, and maybe they are. But does it not say something if they are still trying to get more money by lowering themselves to prostitution? Does it not say that the standard of living they have is little more than four walls and a roof, what about things like food, clothes, even the simplest of life’s luxuries that everyday Joe’s like you and I all have. Why should they not be allowed some of life
’s comforts, they are something that are not illegal afterall.

Anyway, thanks for reading the op, whether it has voiced my opinion on this sketchy subject is for you to decide. Happy reading people. As always, it has been a pleasure writing for you.

Summary: