legalizing prostitution

[nola]

If men knew prostitutes were sexually abused they'd think twice before frequenting them and realize that oppressed women aren't here to serve men's needs.

[rice cracker]

You think men who go see a hooker for a cheap blowjob give a damn if she was abused or not? We're not talking about the cream of society visiting these whores, these are men with shit lives and personalities. Also, it's kind of funny that you're saying these women aren't here to serve men's needs, because, like, that's what whores do.

[Arex]

Originally Posted by nola

It does, Arex, because children who are sexually abused have lower self-esteem which puts them in a position to devalue themselves, sell their bodies and be violated.

I suppose in many cases sexual abuse may be a huge factor in a woman chosing to live a life of prostitution (given what I assume to be the effects of abuse on self-esteem or views on sex), but given that 1 in 3 women are supposedly abused, but not 1 in 3 women are prostitutes (or porn star or stripper), and that not 100% of all prostitutes were sexually abused, I don't think we can necessarily say sexual abuse causes prostitution.

If anything, I would hope that an increased awareness of the fact that many, if not most, prostitutes were sexually abused, would at the very least cause a John to treat the woman with a little more dignity...but that's probably too much to ask.=P

I wonder if there's any significant correlation between those that sexually abuse and those that frequent prostitutes...?

RX

[deez nuts]

Originally Posted by rice cracker

We're not talking about the cream of society visiting these whores, these are men with shit lives and personalities.

my friends aren't scummy.

they're actually decent guys with a high level of education and pulling in a nice income. they're nice guys, it's just some of them that do visit hookers and brothels are stuck in shit marriages with a shit wife or in a shitty relationship or recovering from a shitty relastionship.

the others were just "experimenting" when they were younger. some of us experimented by paying for pot and smoking it. they just chose to experiment with paying for ass and smoking it. ok maybe they did a little of both or a lot of both. but, hey let's not judge.

[rice cracker]

Originally Posted by Chasiubao_Boy

my friends aren't scummy.

they're actually decent guys with a high level of education and pulling in a nice income. they're nice guys, it's just some of them that do visit hookers and brothels are stuck in shit marriages with a shit wife or in a shitty relationship or recovering from a shitty relastionship.

the others were just "experimenting" when they were younger. some of us experimented by paying for pot and smoking it. they just chose to experiment with paying for ass and smoking it. ok maybe they did a little of both or a lot of both. but, hey let's not judge.

Your friends visiting hookers and "experimenting" with them, while perhaps not scummy in their daily life, are indulging in extremely scummy activities to get off. There's a line there. It's kind of like your nice, keeping up with the Jones' neighbor who smokes crack on the weekends. Nice guy, scummy habit. I can understand the use of drugs or sex as a coping mechanism, however watching "Pimps Up, Hoes Down," has forever impressed me with the skankiness of most johns.

[deez nuts]

what can i say, nobody's perfect.

[rice cracker]

Originally Posted by Chasiubao_Boy

what can i say, nobody's perfect.

Everybody's equal, some are more equal than others

[deez nuts]

Originally Posted by rice cracker

Everybody's equal, some are more equal than others

i disagree. it should be nobody's perfect but some are more perfect than others ;]

and my answer to the topic question: yes, legalize that booty and tax it.

but, some of guys i know or have known that do visit hookers have said no to me when i asked them this question. they said for them the rush of not getting caught (by the authority or by their gf's or wives) was a big part of the whole "getting off" process

edit: forgot to add smiley winky face.

[applehead]

Originally Posted by nola

If men knew prostitutes were sexually abused they'd think twice before frequenting them and realize that oppressed women aren't here to serve men's needs.

oh yeah.
right, 'cause men who frequent prostitutes
really care about things like that.

[mrazntre]

Originally Posted by rice cracker

Your friends visiting hookers and "experimenting" with them, while perhaps not scummy in their daily life, are indulging in extremely scummy activities to get off. There's a line there. It's kind of like your nice, keeping up with the Jones' neighbor who smokes crack on the weekends. Nice guy, scummy habit. I can understand the use of drugs or sex as a coping mechanism, however watching "Pimps Up, Hoes Down," has forever impressed me with the skankiness of most johns.

Well I suppose you can also relate this to friends that fuck. Because they are experimenting/divulging in something that is supposed to be part of a relationship, rather than a fleshy desire that is simply being fulfilled as a service.

[nola]

I'm being idealistic as usual. If there was a general awareness that most prostitutes were sexually abused as children, less men would frequent them or at least treat prostitutes with more dignity. A parallel would be if there was general awareness that half of homeless people are mentally ill or war veterans with mental illnesses, people would try to solve the problem instead of condemning homeless people.

[>:^|]

Originally Posted by nola

I'm being idealistic as usual. If there was a general awareness that most prostitutes were sexually abused as children, less men would frequent them or at least treat prostitutes with more dignity. A parallel would be if there was general awareness that half of homeless people are mentally ill or war veterans with mental illnesses, people would try to solve the problem instead of condemning homeless people.

I would like to be idealistic as well.
Unfortunately, I think that the way we think about these issues reflects what we wish to see. We can believe that all men that frequent hookers are sleazeballs, because that helps us believe that nobody we know would do such a thing. We can believe that homeless people somehow deserve their fate, because that allows us to believe we'll never become homeless or that our social system is not in need of desperate repair.

Frankly, if we're going to legalize prostitution, I'd like to see some of the tax money (you know there will be tax money) go into programs that would assist people who want to leave the profession.

[rice cracker]

Originally Posted by mrazntre

Well I suppose you can also relate this to friends that fuck. Because they are experimenting/divulging in something that is supposed to be part of a relationship, rather than a fleshy desire that is simply being fulfilled as a service.

Well, I think that sex between people with an existing relationship and a mutual understanding is different than being serviced. But that's just me. Adding commerce to the situation, in my opinion, annulls any sort of respect.

[mrazntre]

commerce

i.e. gifts. movies. dinner.

[rice cracker]

Meh, potato potater.