Do you support or oppose the legalization of prostitution?

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Discuss why you are pro or anti legalization!

Edit: redid the poll with clearer options

[DavidB.]

A hard question, but I tend to favor the Swedish system and voted for "support with conditions". Opposing legalization inevitably hurts the victims of prostitution. You don't want that. You want to help these people.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I need more evidence to be persuaded either way (not an ideologue). Both the Swedish and Dutch models are riddled with issues, but they are certainly better than discrimination.

[dead0man]

Yes, all the way and it should be self regulated like the other medical professionals.

[DavidB.]

I need more evidence to be persuaded either way (not an ideologue). Both the Swedish and Dutch models are riddled with issues, but they are certainly better than discrimination.

How do you think about this?

Regulation in my country, The Netherlands, has gone terribly wrong because politicians thought that all problems would magically disappear by legalizing it - nope. The left (and the progressive right) has taken the position that legalizing prostitution is basically a woman's right, and the status-quo isn't going to change anytime soon.

I'd rather live in a world without "sex work". I think prostitution is inherently degrading. But prostitution is called the oldest profession on earth for a reason, and banning people from prostituting themselves is not going to magically make it go away, period. So we need to find a way to make the situation the least bad for sex workers, which means minimizing the "shame" and the problems that generally come along with the "industry", often related to pandering, violence, human trafficking, drug addiction et cetera. The Swedish model seems more attractive to me than the liberal Dutch model, but I don't think it provides a logically sound solution to the problem. So I'd prefer to legalize and regulate prostitution, to criminalize pandering, to outlaw any company that "employs" people in the prostitution industry (let them be self-employed instead, in order for them to be always in control of their lives), and to introduce stronger penalties on human trafficking (which is currently the biggest problem with regard to prostitution in the Netherlands - thanks, Schengen). Furthermore, I'd outlaw streetwalking (currently legal in many Dutch cities): women are not for rent.

I'm still not sure about this -- maybe a more strict approach, such as in Sweden, would work better. But outlawing it definitely doesn't seem to work.

[This account no longer in use.]

Support, but with conditions.

[Virginiá]

I certainly do not like the idea of prostitution so much but as others have said, we can't just ban it and expect it to magically disappear. Banning a vice should never even be an option, because we know from centuries of experience that it does not work. The first option should always be to regulate it and try indirect ways to mitigate its use.

Have to admit as well, it seems silly that people can sleep with whomever they want for free, but all of a sudden when money is involved, it's a crime and forbidden. These social engineering / morality laws really need to be put to bed. America as a whole at least I think is now beyond the hyper-religious puritan views of the past.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I think everybody knows my opinion by now, but arguing for it on this forum has proven utterly pointless.

[TDAS04]

I tend to support it, since the victims should not be punished.

[President Johnson]

Support, with with strong law provisions. Laws here in Germany are almost too liberal (although corrections are discussed), others are too strict.

[Intell]

Oppose.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

[P123]

Option 1, obviously.

[Enduro]

I'm kinda split on this issue, convince me to support or oppose it.

[pho]

If pornography is legal, I find it hard to justify criminalizing prostitution.

On the other hand, putting out for strangers because you either lack the initiative or skill set to work a regular job is not something we should be encouraging.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Full  legal.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Maybe with some sort of Hong Kong model where its limited to 1-person enterprises and pimps are illegal.

[Bigby]

Support it Nevada-style.

[Хahar 🤔]

Oppose.

Support it Nevada-style.

^^^ someone who has not thought about this at all

[P123]

Support it Nevada-style.

[Boris]

The defacto situation in the US is that it's legal and safe for wealthy, smart, internet-savvy people (both prostitutes and johns alike), and illegal and risky for all others. I tend to support this dynamic with the following goals designed for demand reduction:

1) Schools should facilitate the development of good workout habits and form as a teenager. How many people lifting consistently since age 15 end up resorting to hookers to get laid? Probably zero.
2) Development of social skills. Society tends to encourage the enhancement of GABA neurotransmitters in order to gain the courage to talk to people you're sexually attracted to. This is a mediocre approach because enhancing GABA has horrible rebound/side effects and may not necessarily accomplish what you want to accomplish (social efficacy). You're much better off making your serotonin neurons release large amounts of serotonin, and catalyzing what you learn/feel into normal brain-chemistry state. But that being said, the more in-shape, socially functional straight men we have, the less demand there will be for prostituition.

[Thunderbird is the word]

Yes, all the way and it should be self regulated like the other medical professionals.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Well, legalization is a lesser evil. It's better to have official, regulated establishments that ring run by pimps.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I find the arguments opposed to be entirely unconvincing. So I do support it with some conditions.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

The defacto situation in the US is that it's legal and safe for wealthy, smart, internet-savvy people (both prostitutes and johns alike), and illegal and risky for all others. I tend to support this dynamic with the following goals designed for demand reduction:

1) Schools should facilitate the development of good workout habits and form as a teenager. How many people lifting consistently since age 15 end up resorting to hookers to get laid? Probably zero.
2) Development of social skills. Society tends to encourage the enhancement of GABA neurotransmitters in order to gain the courage to talk to people you're sexually attracted to. This is a mediocre approach because enhancing GABA has horrible rebound/side effects and may not necessarily accomplish what you want to accomplish (social efficacy). You're much better off making your serotonin neurons release large amounts of serotonin, and catalyzing what you learn/feel into normal brain-chemistry state. But that being said, the more in-shape, socially functional straight men we have, the less demand there will be for prostituition.

What a terrible post.