If gays can marry -then shouldn't prostitution be legal?

[TEPO]

Originally Posted by LemonAndLime

I'm sorry, what about Europe?

In Amsterdam, 1 out of every 30 women are prostitutes... They've had legal prostitution the longest of all post-Christian societies. If that's not playing with fire, then I don't know what is.

[thewanderer]

Originally Posted by Hypatia

I was under the impression that Aquinas, without in any way questioning the mortal sinfulness of fornication, etc., had already advocated the legal toleration of prostitution in the 13th c. on the grounds that such legislation was beyond the purpose of the state, and, in fact, that legislation against prostitution and other forms of fornication might actually be counter to the good of the state. He even argues that the income that women make in this fashion should be protected by the state.

Thats really interesting! Do you know where in his works he writes about this? I would love to look into it more.

[LemonAndLime]

Originally Posted by TEPO

In Amsterdam, 1 out of every 30 women are prostitutes... They've had legal prostitution the longest of all post-Christian societies. If that's not playing with fire, then I don't know what is.

Pssssst, Europe has a couple of countries with widely different cultures. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It's often referred to as Holland.

Prostitution is legal but it is poorly regulated. The police in the area are more often than not bribed and the cannabis cafes are ran by the pimps. Amsterdam's red light distrct officials claim that most of the prostitutes are independent business women but in reality most of them are bullied into working for pimps, who take most of their money. Several government officials are on the payroll of the pimps.

A good portion of the customers for these women, many of whom are forced into prostitution, are tourists. American, English - all sorts, who seem to ignore the fact many of these women look like holocaust victims from lack of nutrition and many are addicted to drugs.

While prostitution is never going to go away, Amsterdam is a very good example of how easily it can go wrong if it is legalised, yet poorly enforced. There was a case recently in which a British woman ended up over there and she wrote a book. It did force changes but not enough.

But I still think its silly that you can be prosecuted for prostition when it's between 2 consenting adults. So long as its between 2 consenting adults.

[TEPO]

Originally Posted by LemonAndLime

Pssssst, Europe has a couple of countries with widely different cultures. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It's often referred to as Holland.

Prostitution is legal but it is poorly regulated. The police in the area are more often than not bribed and the cannabis cafes are ran by the pimps. Amsterdam's red light distrct officials claim that most of the prostitutes are independent business women but in reality most of them are bullied into working for pimps, who take most of their money. Several government officials are on the payroll of the pimps.

A good portion of the customers for these women, many of whom are forced into prostitution, are tourists. American, English - all sorts, who seem to ignore the fact many of these women look like holocaust victims from lack of nutrition and many are addicted to drugs.

While prostitution is never going to go away, Amsterdam is a very good example of how easily it can go wrong if it is legalised, yet poorly enforced. There was a case recently in which a British woman ended up over there and she wrote a book. It did force changes but not enough.

But I still think its silly that you can be prosecuted for prostition when it's between 2 consenting adults. So long as its between 2 consenting adults.

Well, even though I respect your opinion on this, I have to say:

A). The legalization of drug use is another individual liberty that progressives would tend to want legal because people are going to use them whether they're legal or not... So drugs might as well be legalized too. Besides, shouldn't individuals be allowed to choose for themselves what they want to put in their bodies..? To not allow them this freedom becomes an infringement on their personal Rights. It's a form of discrimination/oppression according to the "progressive". So what we see in Amsterdam is really just a sneak peek of the future.

B). Prostitutes in Amsterdam have proven that women who choose to work in the sex industry don't necessarily prefer working in brothels over working for pimps... Seems like working for a pimp might even have advantages such as free drug handouts, or free room and board. Under pimps, prostitutes can often work more or less hours as they choose, assuming they find the "right" pimp.

[LemonAndLime]

Originally Posted by TEPO

Well, even though I respect your opinion on this, I have to say:

A). The legalization of drug use is another individual liberty that progressives would tend to want legal because people are going to use them whether they're legal or not... So drugs might as well be legalized too. Besides, shouldn't individuals be allowed to choose for themselves what they want to put in their bodies..? To not allow them this freedom becomes an infringement on their personal Rights. It's a form of discrimination/oppression according to the "progressive". So what we see in Amsterdam is really just a sneak peek of the future.

Not really. The difference is that drugs can really harm your health and mental ability. This can have knock on effects on your family, children, and could lead to you becoming a burden on the state and needing care for the rest of your life. I've seen it, I know it happens.

B). Prostitutes in Amsterdam have proven that women who choose to work in the sex industry don't necessarily prefer working in brothels over working for pimps... Seems like working for a pimp might even have advantages such as free drug handouts, or free room and board. Under pimps, prostitutes can often work more or less hours as they choose, assuming they find the "right" pimp.

I don't think you understand pimps. They work on the basis that they own the women like a business commodity. Brothels tend to have women who are considered self-employed but pay the brothel a certain % of their earnings.

I am glad though we're starting to see eye to eye on this.

[Ubenedictus]

Originally Posted by LemonAndLime

Better for it to be legal, in a controlled environment, in the open - with the appropriate checks of the wellbeing of the women than for it to be ran underground, controlled by pimps and difficult to monitor.

The Women's Institute in the UK are campaigning for it to become legal. It's never, ever, going to go away. Besides, in a controlled environment, these women will be easier to reach, and punters are far more likely to go to a brothel then pick someone off the street who could be more in need of help than money.

Also, regarding the topic of the thread - sorry to tell you this, but there are a lot of these posts on CAF which seem to be titled "if gays can marry then [insert catastrophe] will happen to!" It's worth mentioning here that the same was said about inter-racial marriage and the ending of slavery.

sounds like the abortion arguement, no?
Ubenedictus

[wynnejj]

Originally Posted by Ubenedictus

sounds like the abortion arguement, no?
Ubenedictus

Yes, exactly. The choice is always the same, too.

Hmm. More dangerous for perpetrators means less perpetrators & fewer victims, or less dangerous for perpetrators means more perpetrators & greatly increased number of victims (through our new & improved sex education promotions in schools). Hmm, choices, choices?

With that logic, why stop there? Let's make murder & rape safe & legal for murderers and rapists. Let's make a plague on society something like a constitutional right for the pursuit of happiness.