Should we legalise prostitution in the uk?

A new police initiative begins across major cities in the uk today. its aim is to clamp down on street prostitution. isnt it about time prostitution was legalised and properly organised and monitered, or at least decriminalised? in my view we should go the amsterdam route and take the girls off the streets and allow them a legitimate place to work. they could then have regular health checks and pay taxes. any takers?

It wouldn't be my choice for a line of work, but too each their own. It does not matter how much you crack down on prostitution, it is never going to completely go away. I say worry about the ones who are being sold or forced into it and leave the ones who want to do it, alone.

I personally view prostitution as rather disturbing, i would never get into that kind of stuff myself. but i do see your point, if it is legalized it could be monitored, regulated, you could tax it, health issues would decrease, and there would be protection for the prostitutes. i'm rather torn on this one because i don't approve of prostitution but at the same time see the benefits of legalizing it.

TAX prostitution? Some people are forced to the pits of what is considered a job, and have to do the dirty work you would never DREAM of doing just to support themselves. It doesn't matter whether you agree with prostitution, because some people never had the money or support to get proper education, leading them to do this, and it's all they have to get any money, but then again legalizing it could encourage more people to just give up on becoming something and sleep with men/women for some cash.
x

Anyone who has read my poems or earlier postings will know that my girlfriend was a street girl. after i met her i took her off the street and we fell in love (real life pretty woman). she still chooses to work in the adult industry and i dont have a problem with it. she now works as an escort and as such there are ways to skirt around the law. she still doesnt pay taxes because her profession is not recognised and she earns on average £50000 per year. if she was able to work legal the government would tax her 40% at the current rate. p.s. the moral argument is a different question, i asked about legalisation or decriminalisation.

What??? No way!! What about all the pervs who's intent is violence? I mean, in my opinion, prostitution being illegal is protecting those selling their bodies. I think it would be ridiculous to legalize it. I get what you're saying but think it's silly.

Think of it this way. as it is prostitutes are forced to stand in dark streets for fear of being arrested. it is in these dark streets that they are attacked and raped on a nightly basis (i know girls who this has happened to) if prostitution was legal and proper areas set up they could work without fear of being locked up and without fear of being attacked. at the end of the day it is the oldest profession in the world and will never go away so why not help the girls involved to work safely.

I think we should just make it illegal to not have an education, that way, so many people wouldn't have to worry about turning to such a difficult lifestyle.

Of course, that would be impossible....so just pretend that I didn't even say it. :)

Prostitution is disgusting and does no good. I am pro choice, but based on current laws surrounding all aspects of choice, prostitution should in all means be illegal. Who mentioned Amsterdam? I'd like to slap you. Amsterdam should be burned to the ground.

I say make it legal, but at the same time increase effort to make it so women don't have to do it as a last resort etc.

A woman selling her body does not sit well with me, and I don't think it's ever an ideal situation, or something many of the girl actually like doing, given the choice [ though I know there is good money to be made at the higher end of the game].

It's the same with drugs, how dare any Goverment tell anyone what they can and can't do, or let someone else do, with their bodies! It's just like homosexual intercourse being illegal, even being gay being illegal.

The difference is, and this is the kicker, girls can make money out of it, and the government can't control that money, that is what they are pissed off.

Nothing more. You'd best believe they don't give two craps about the women...it's about the money they aren't taxing.

Heh, you're probably right, Kevin. That's the sad part about the world - no person in control really cares about anything that is truly important.

Kevin, you make some good points, but you're comparing two people wanting to have sex with eachother and two people on either end of the stick--one for pleasure, one for money. I think without prostitution, men would be generally more respectable and gentlemenlike. If rape and prostitution are illegal, a man has to actually earn sex. Then again, rape and prostitution ARE illegal, and they both still happen. I'm very mixed on this topic. On a personal level, prostitution is very offensive to me, but I suppose my personal beliefs should not be pressed on others. In the bigger picture, I believe prostitution DOES affect me. I want women to be thought more as people, and less of sex objects/toys. Now I sound like a feminist...Women bring most of their sexual symbolism upon themselves, and that's what really pisses me off.

For many years I have thought of slavery as an outdated ideology, but it exists in many ways today. Human dignity has always had a price, and there have always been those who do not seem to place a high value on it. It is human nature to desire to put our sins on someone, and throw stones at them.

It seems at times that I am among the ones in society that have abused the word love. I do not want to stray from the topic should the selling sex be legal in a United Kingdom. I am about to do something that is going to draw stones. I am going to tell a personal story that relates to prostitution.

I consider myself a would be writer that does not rise to the level of a prostitute at times. I am really more of a cheap tramp. The Eve of my dreams admitted to prostituting herself. Recently someone has informed me that another one of my muses has prostituted herself. This is a woman that has several college degrees. Innocence is a terrible thing to lose. I am not sure it is humanly possible to regain it, yet I believe it is divinely possible. Since I am only a poet in never never land. I believe all should render unto the Kingdom what belongs the Kingdom

I get fan mail from the people in prisons and jails who say they admire convictions

For those that are interested here is a poem that was inspired by the woman my friend tells me has sold her innocence.

http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/slang/poems.php?id=198341

You sound like a bit of an idealist Jane, and there is nothing wrong with that, I think we need more people who are willing to believe in a better world, as long as they accept the reality of this one first, and start from there.

Which is advice I need to swallow as well.

Micheal, I am not entirely sure about the rules regarding posting links to your poetry, but I'm hoping it's not allowed, because you do it all the time, and there is a seperate forum just for that.

I won't delete your request for comments, or interest, because I'm having the issue looked at by the rest of the Mod team, but in the mean time, can you not post links to your poetry please.

3. Do not post texts that are not yours. It is violation of copyright laws. To refer to copyrighted poem or text put link to original source.

The poem is copyrighted. I may not be a lawyer, but I think if you are so concerned about my links you should use your mod powers, and show your true character Kevin

"I won't delete your request for comments, or interest, because I'm having the issue looked at by the rest of the Mod team, but in the mean time, can you not post links to your poetry please."

Of course I will not pretend that I am not terrified about being brought before the poems and quotes tribunal Inquisition

This site is much too important to be taken seriously

I do apologize for having assumed that I have earned the respect of a P.Q. member

I can't seem to sell it so I just give it away

"I think we need more people who are willing to believe in a better world, as long as they accept the reality of this one first, and start from there.

Which is advice I need to swallow as well."

That sounds a lot like poetic justice, but who in hell knows what we are allowed to talk about.

My true character Micheal?

Please illuminate us all on the nature of my true character, I never get tired of the character assessments I recieve in here.

I told you I have asked my fellow Mods whether or not they think it is ok for people to post direct links to their poems outside the forum specifically made for that purpose, because I want to be honest and let you know what I am doing, not to scare you and increase the sentiment shared by many people in here that we Mods do things in secret and then slap down rules. And also because I don't want to Moderate you without being sure of the rules. In the meantime I asked you not to post links, I think that is fair.

You posted a copy of rule 3, out of context completely as I never raised doubts about the ownership of the poem. Here are the rules which concern me regarding your posting a link to you poetry.

2. Do not post your poems in this forum. Submit them here. [this makes reference to the forum for requests to review poems]

4. No advertisements of any kind are allowed in the forums.

9. Post requests to read/comment your poems only in this category.

I think you are potentially breaking all 3 of the above rules, as you are, by posting a link and inviting people to look at your work, advertising your poems, you are in effect requesting that they do review your work if they want, and you are virtually posting your poem via the link, and all this even when there is a special section of the site where people can ask for reviews or attention to their work.

"Please illuminate us all on the nature of my true character, I never get tired of the character assessments I recieve in here."

Well Kevin I have not the time to evaluate your complete character, but I do believe you are fair. I am a cheap tramp, but I did not ask for comments. It is clear to me now that it was not as good for you as it was for me. I am guilty of being obsessed with poetry as an easier way to express my deeper feelings, and do not mind reading others as well. I have enough faith in average human intelligence that I believe if a person is not curious about a link they will not waste their time pasting it and going to it. Writing is sometimes a lot like prostitution, though some do it for love. The potential of these boards can only be hindered by not being allowed to share deep feelings. I have requested comments like a cheap tramp in the proper forum, and I will examine my conscience while the mod team decides if I was advertising

"3. Do not post texts that are not yours. It is violation of copyright laws. To refer to copyrighted poem or text put link to original source"

I do not have a degree in grammar, but the period after "It is violation of copyright laws" leads me to believe that the author of the rules intended to start a separate sentence

To refer to copyrighted poem or text put link to original source

Wait a minute the first sentence says
Do not post texts that are not yours
It does not make any sense to make a request to put a link to the original source if the rule is asking you to violate the copyright laws

I believe the forum rules could confuse someone that does not do drugs, but that is another topic is it not?

Why can't we just admit that we are all hoes?

First off, sorry to the thread creator for filling his thread with discussion of rules.

Micheal I have emailed you my reponse.

I have not recieved an email from [P.Q.]

I sent you a private message via the website earlier today.

If that isn't getting through, let me briefly repeat myself.

I feel you are bending to the point of breaking, rules 2,4 and 10, and this is not acceptable. Posting a link to a poem is the same as posting the poem itself in terms of your intent, which is to get attention for your work, so the rules should apply regardless.

Also, and this is on a more personal note. I think you are a coward for suggesting a negative side to my character when I DIDN'T moderate you, and then when i asked you to explain what you meant, you said you didn't have time. That is weak, I mean, why bother backing up anything you want to throw at someone with knowledge and understanding when just spitting it out is so much easier, bravo Micheal, really, what a gentleman you are.

"I feel you are bending to the point of breaking, rules 2,4 and 10, and this is not acceptable. Posting a link to a poem is the same as posting the poem itself in terms of your intent, which is to get attention for your work, so the rules should apply regardless."

I can only conclude that the P.Q. commandments that are assessable to me are not numbered the same as the ones you refer to, or you are smoking something stronger than weed.

The tenth commandment on my screen is 10. If a member is inactive for over 120 days (has made no posts) their account may be deleted.
Any unbiased judge of a debate would know that I just handed you your ass on a platter on rule number 10

2. Do not post your poems in this forum.

I assumed that rule was intended for the entire discussion board. I find it to be very flattering that you assume that anything I believe to be a poem is a poem, yet you are not concerned about the work posted in the Poetry websites and contests. Don't you think they might be offended?

4. No advertisements of any kind are allowed in the forums.

This rule also seems not to be referring to any specific section I believe it would surely not apply to Requests to read/comment poems

"Also, and this is on a more personal note. I think you are a coward for suggesting a negative side to my character when I DIDN'T moderate you, and then when i asked you to explain what you meant, you said you didn't have time. That is weak, I mean, why bother backing up anything you want to throw at someone with knowledge and understanding when just spitting it out is so much easier, bravo Micheal, really, what a gentleman you are."

Thank you Kevin, I think we agree that swallowing and spitting is hard to do. Sometimes you just have to bite

Get your mind out of the gutter

nicko
I believe your post was very interesting and right on topic

I think if you are so concerned about my links you should use your mod powers, and show your true character Kevin
I believe I do owe you an explanation seeing now that you are very conscientious about being a fair moderator. I have spent countless hours trying to learn how to get a message across without seeming like a pompous ass. I suppose I am a little pompous, but most people just view me as a tool. I posted what I imagined would be received as a sad story about a real woman that sold her dignity for drugs. I was really expecting an emotional response not a shallow response such as Micheal, I am not entirely sure about the rules regarding posting links to your poetry, but I'm hoping it's not allowed, because you do it all the time, and there is a seperate forum just for that. I think this site needs moderating and if it is not big enough for both of us I will leave. But I perceive you as shallow and I also believe you enjoy humiliating people.

[Micheal, why didn't you put all this into your reply to the email I sent you? I specifically asked for our personal debate to be taken out of this public discussion and you, not me have chosen to ignore that. I think you should delete this whole post as it offers nothing to the debate and it very hard to understand]

Ignoring the fight.

Prostitution-
Why would we legalize it? I don't see how that will benefit anyone at all. And do you really think people are willingly going to pay taxes for whores? Not so much. I wouldn't. These women and men clearly have little to no respect for their bodies or their health. To become a prostitute is a decision. They could find a job, perhaps it wouldn't pay as much, but the government can step in and help to a certain extent.

Legalizing prostitution?! are you serious?!

I think we are moving towards a culture where sex is already seen as a commodity that makes money, this has been the case for a long time.

Prostitution is and age old example of this. People all over the world just want to have sex with no emotional of relationship strings attached, they go out to pubs and clubs for just that goal, and you better believe their desire and feelings before and after are in no way more moral than a guy who visits a prostitute....it's just about having some sex, the release of it etc etc.

So why not take away the dark alley stigma of it, free up the choice and make it cleaner, safer and less inhibited. If you take away the dirty dark allure of prostitution and expose it, I think it could almost be viewed as a posititive in society, a social service, and I'm talking about male and female prostitutes.

It's not going to degrade society in the same way as being sexually repressed would.

I think those selling their bodies for money should just get a real job like everyone else in this world. Maybe one day there won't be prositutes thanks to law enforcement.

A real job Tyanna? I think most Prostitutes work harder than and have to put up with conditions the average shop or office could never handle.

I mean no offence, but what is the point of your post?

There have always been prostitutes, always, and chances are there always will be, even with law enforcement. As long as people still have sexual urges and social inhibitions, there will be prostitution.

I don't have any experience with prostitution in the U.K. but I have read that in the United Kingdom, prostitution is not formally illegal, but several activities surrounding it are outlawed. So I do not fully understand the point of this thread. I have not even figured out rule 3 yet.

Lol... Yeah..but "sexual urges" shouldn't be played out with prostitutes. How do they work harder? By spreading disease and taking a risk at losing their life for money that will probably be spent on drugs? My sister is a stripper. She also has four kids. She could get financial help to go to college and better her and her kid's life but instead she chooses to risk it all for the money (and drugs). She is always talking about guys getting rough with her and following her after she leaves the club. However, to her, she is taking the "easy route" because she works on Friday and Saturday and makes enough money to pay her bills, and buy her drugs. I would bet anything that she too has sex for money. "It's an easy life" she says...It won't be for her kids when she get's raped and killed one night. And it won't be for the children of a father who sleeps with a prositute and loses his life to AIDS.
Anyways, yeah, according to my sister, be a stripper and having sex for money is easier than the average job. But it is a stupid choice.

^^being a stipper

BTW..your last pic was better Kevin..lol

Well prostitution is a serious crime. I think we should never talk about legalizing prostitution whether its im the UK OR any part of the word.

No. because AIDS will spread :P

By proposing the argument that there are already women and men sleeping with eachother without money with the "no-strings-attached" outcome I find irrelevant. Should that be socially accepted? Should the government really encourage that? Why should our tax dollars go to people that have schedule devoted to sex when there are far better places to be spending our money? One night stands shouldn't be socially accepted and by legalizing prostitution, we're basically saying ... "No, don't do that! Get money for it instead! The more people you sleep with, the more money the government will provide you with!"

[[Jumping in here!]]

Well, this is a pretty interesting thread, though most seems to be restated by multiple people...
My own views, well, I can't really speak for the UK, or people who are in prostitution.
I do, however, think that we, as in the human race, are not living up to the standards we should have. I have ALWAYS been taught that sex is a special thing... That we should prize ourselves for what we are. [[Haha, I sound like a hippy child...XP]]
I know there are people out there who have no other means to support themselves, and, yeah, if you've got it, flaunt it if you like. It's your body, so, do as you like. It's the slavery in it that bothers me the most. Not only can a woman be subjected to this via capture and force, but what of the woman with two little girls who had to do it to support them? What about after she decides to get out, and work at a respectable company?
If anyone knew about what she had been doing, she would definitely be looked down on[perhaps not by all, but certainly by a vast majority].
I suppose I have no actual answer to justify what should be done.
I find it distrubing when I see woman standing by the road in skimpy outfits. What kind of role model does it set to younger generations?

I do not think it's okay... But at the same time, when there's no where else to turn, what choice do people have?

Well prostitution is an old tradition that has been culturally infested in the dark corners of society.

Should we legalise it? Yes...

Why? Because it would reduce crime by 1% at the very least. Plus if we make it legal, it will lose all the mystique of going to street corners and looking for a woman, who happens to be a hooker. Lol.

But I do think it is ethically and morally wrong for a man to solicit sexual favours when he is married. But hey that's just me!

Apparently jack the ripper didn't like it. just kidding folks!

David:

I see that you are now scared of stating your own opinion...How funny!

I did say it was 'morally' wrong for a married man to solicit sexual favors from a prostitute, because it breaks the oath of marriage. It's funny saying those words "Oath of Marriage"

But who am I to say what the man can or can't do...I am not their guardian, nor am I their watcher. So let them lie with whoever they want, as long as it does not hurt both parties, and both parties are willing.

But I would not equate prostitution with child abuse, because that is just farfetched

Lol...

How can you tell, after all...I am nothing but the words on your screen...Ddavid

Sword swinging? Come now...

And do you think you have shown us your true personality or a superfical one.

Now Now Ddavid....

Bringing Frooghe into this, it is almost laughable. You make yourself believe that your answers are the true irrefutable truth, but you knew that you wouldn't be acknowledged here, for even a millisecond, so what did you do...You created personalities to validate your point..

To me that is asinine...But hey you want to prove yourself to a bunch of poets...Lol...Funny...If I do not like someone, I tell it to their face. Rather than let another account do it for me...

But Ddavid or should I call you Frooghe...Why tense up over a small question such as mine.

Oh and FYI I always follow the motto "You have to listen before you destroy"...Figure it out, and you'll know the intentions I put forward. Now take your New Right metaphorical oxymoronic views somewhere else. Or better yet, make another personality, and call her "Hershey's Kiss"

Back to the topic:

I believe and I reiterate that prostitution is nothing more than a old tradition festering within our society. In fact any society.

Lets all get back to the topic please.

Sex is not about love, it's about the primal urge to mate, and it's about creating babies, this is a fact.

Most people, including myself, would agree that sex should be done with someone you love, which makes it special, but it's not about love inherantly. For this reason prostitution provides a valuable social service, from a certain point of view. Being sexually frustrated, like some people in this very thread it appears, can lead to all manner of personality complexes, paranoia's and inhibitions which are all personally and socially damaging.

I do not advocate prostitution, I don't think sex should be without love, but I understand the need for it in our socially inhibited and stratified world.