Illegal to pay for sex but not to get paid for sex

[ShyGuyInChicago]

In some countries the law views prostitutes as victims as a result it is illegal to solicit and pay someone for sex but the prostitute who gets paid has not done anything wrong in the eyes of the law? Is that right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_and_the_law#Legal_themes

Legal themes

Legal themes tend to address four types of issue: victimhood (including potential victimhood), ethics and morality, freedom of the individual, and general benefit or harm to society (including harm arising indirectly from matters connected to prostitution).
[edit]Victimhood issues
[edit]General
Most modern researchers[citation needed] identify both primary victims, the prostitutes themselves, and also secondary victims, among the family, friends and, sometimes, the clients. In most cases, prostitution is not a rational and calculated choice: structural forces (such as poverty, drugs, a history of childhood abuse etc) or human agency (pimps, human traffickers) are generally the reasons for which the prostitutes engage in this practice. Furthermore, the practice of prostitution itself leads to severe negative long term effects on the prostitute. Contemporary views on prostitution differ from early ones, as historically prostitution was considered more or less victimless, the only crime committed being the offending of morals.
People who[citation needed] want prostitution to be legalized argue that prostitution is a consensual sex act between adults and a victimless crime, thus the government should not prohibit this practice.
Anti-prostitution advocates hold that the victims are the prostitutes themselves, arguing that prostitution is a practice which leads to serious psychological and physical long term effects for the prostitutes.[3][4][5] They also argue that the act of prostitution is not by definition a fully consensual act, as the prostitutes are forced to sell sex, either by somebody else or by the unfortunate circumstances of their lives (such as poverty, lack of opportunity, drug addiction, a history of severe childhood abuse or neglect etc): "In the academic literature on prostitution there are very few authors who argue that valid consent to prostitution is possible. Most suggest that consent to prostitution is impossible or at least unlikely." [36]. "(...) most authors suggest that consent to prostitution is deeply problematic if not impossible (...) most authors have argued that consent to prostitution is impossible. For radical feminists this is because prostitution is always a coercive sexual practice. Others simply suggest that economic coercion makes the sexual consent of sex workers highly problematic if not impossible..." [37].
Furthermore, it can be argued that society itself is the victim, as prostitution reinforces stereotypical views about women, who are seen as sex objects which can be used and abused by men. Radical feminists are strongly opposed to prostitution, they argue that the assumptions that the bodily integrity and sexual pleasure of women are irrelevant, that women exist for men's sexual enjoyment, and that men cannot control themselves and are entitled to sex at any time, underlie the whole idea of prostitution, and make it an inherently exploitative, sexist practice.
In 1999, Sweden became the first country to make it illegal to pay for sex, but not to be a prostitute (the client commits a crime, but not the prostitute). A similar law was passed in Norway (in 2009) and in Iceland (in 2009).

[huginnmuninn]

if they chooseto be prostitutes they are just as guilty. if a drug dealer is selling drugs isnt he just as guilty as the buyer?

[Sage]

if they chooseto be prostitutes they are just as guilty. if a drug dealer is selling drugs isnt he just as guilty as the buyer?

Drugs are illegal to possess. Sex is not something you can possess. It's an act, not an item, and a perfectly legal act I might add. I might also add that a lot of people don't choose to prostitute.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Drugs are illegal to possess. Sex is not something you can possess. It's an act, not an item, and a perfectly legal act I might add. I might also add that a lot of people don't choose to prostitute.

That is true. When you say that are you referring to people who are trafficked or are you referring to people who turn to prostitution because they are struggling financially?

[Sage]

When you say that are you referring to people who are trafficked or are you referring to people who turn to prostitution because they are struggling financially?

Both, but especially so in the case of human trafficking.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Both, but especially so in the case of human trafficking.

So, do you agree with such laws where the person selling sex is not guilty of a crime but the person buying sex is?

[Sage]

So, do you agree with such laws where the person selling sex is not guilty of a crime but the person buying sex is?

No. I feel prostitution is perfectly acceptable and should be legal. There will always be a demand for prostitutes and there will always be a supply of prostitutes. Making it illegal fails just as much as prohibition and only encourages unsavory types to profit on the criminal exploitation of others.

[Obscene Eyedeas]

A funny thing ill always find about prostitution is how governments stupidly think banning it makes things better as sage stated it just allows unsavory people to get money out of it.

lets take a look at the wider picture many women and men can withhold sex from a partner until they do a particular thing for them is this in itself like prostitution, in a way it can be. someone demanding a deed done, a gift or even a payment and no sex until the duty has been performed this is not seen as illegal even if the person doing so has multiple partners.

[Amnesiac]

In some countries the law views prostitutes as victims as a result it is illegal to solicit and pay someone for sex but the prostitute who gets paid has not done anything wrong in the eyes of the law? Is that right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_and_the_law#Legal_themes

I don't even believe prostitution should be illegal, as long as it's regulated.

As has been said before, not all prostitutes choose to be prostitutes. They're trying to make a living, I guess. A better question would be "why does the government have an obsession with sex?"

[Sapphire]

Prostitution is not an ethical nor a particularly healthy profession for the prostitute involved. It makes no sense for sex workers to be outlawed when so many women get forced to enter into prostitution and suffer because of it. The ones who use prostitutes have a lot to answer for in that respect and, IMHO, deserve to be outlawed.

[Continuum]

Prostitution is often exploited as a way of getting sex without earning it, not without money of course. It is (in some ways) an unhealthy act for the body (for example, STDs) and for the mind (Sex addiction), that's why it is prohibited. I do agree Prostitutes need money, but can't they think of other ways to earn a living? Prostitution is unethical (for most religions), disagreeable, most of the time run by crime and satisfies the human sex drive for a couple of minutes and then it fades away, including your money (that's why its agreeable to an extent that it can be legalized; libido is somewhat unstoppable so prostitutes are used)

[Sage]

Prostitution is often exploited as a way of getting sex without earning it,
How is paying for it not earning it?

It is (in some ways) an unhealthy act for the body (for example, STDs)
Unprotected sex with anyone can give you STDs. If you don't wear a condom, that's your problem. As for the prostitutes themselves, if it were legalized, mandatory protection could be regulated and enforced.

and for the mind (Sex addiction)
That's among the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Almost nobody is addicted to sex, it feels good so a lot of people enjoy doing it. Those with an actual addiction to it (See: DSM-IV-TR) are a very small minority.

And since fucking when is the law used as a mechanism to keep us healthy? If I want to indulge in my bad habits, I fucking will.

I do agree Prostitutes need money, but can't they think of other ways to earn a living?
Your ignorance is showing. See previous posts in this thread.

Prostitution is unethical (for most religions),
Fuck religion. We live in a secular country.

disagreeable,
Not to me. I think it's fantastic.

most of the time run by crime
Because it's illegal. Don't you get it? Banning things people want doesn't work. It didn't work with prohibition and it's not working with prostitution.

and satisfies the human sex drive for a couple of minutes and then it fades away,
Well la-dee-dah, sorry that some people just want a quick fix and don't care for romantic fuck rituals with "the one". There's no reason for you to bring up this point, or many of the points you raised, in a legal debate.

libido is somewhat unstoppable so prostitutes are used)
Bingo!

[Continuum]

Your ignorance is showing. See previous posts in this thread.


Very true, since I'm fucking tired and still trying to post. Forgive me if I'm wrong for my head is hazy today.



Unprotected sex with anyone can give you STDs. If you don't wear a condom, that's your problem. As for the prostitutes themselves, if it were legalized, mandatory protection could be regulated and enforced.


Legalization of prostitutes is still in the works in most of the world, except in select places where prostitutes are already legal and regulated like the state of Nevada, Mexico or (maybe) disneyland. Looking at the rest of the world though, Prostitution is illegal and cannot be regulated, therefore the government is blind whether they get sufficient protection or not.

How is paying for it not earning it?


You just pay for it without even knowing who your partner will be. You don't get through the phases in which you will earn sex as a treat for you and your partner, not immediately get it for a fixed monetary amount.


Almost nobody is addicted to sex, it feels good so a lot of people enjoy doing it.


It's not how people enjoy sex just because it feels good, its how people crave for more when they feel good of it. Good things come in moderation, says Democritus.


Fuck religion. We live in a secular country.


Us too. It's hard to even launch a campaign with a religious body criticizing its every move.

[Sapphire]

Prostitution is often exploited as a way of getting sex without earning it, not without money of course. It is (in some ways) an unhealthy act for the body (for example, STDs) and for the mind (Sex addiction), that's why it is prohibited. I do agree Prostitutes need money, but can't they think of other ways to earn a living? Prostitution is unethical (for most religions), disagreeable, most of the time run by crime and satisfies the human sex drive for a couple of minutes and then it fades away, including your money (that's why its agreeable to an extent that it can be legalized; libido is somewhat unstoppable so prostitutes are used)It is prohibited because it is a form of exploitation not because it is unhealthy.

A persons libido cannot be stopped but there are ways of curbing it, controlling it and satisfying it without paying a prostitute. If the people who use prostitutes are subject to criminal charges then there is less incentive to visit them. Legalising it still does not protect the women from the psychological effects of prostitution. Nothing except reducing or eliminating (1) the demand for prostitutes and/or (2) the negative attitudes towards women will protect sex workers.

Unprotected sex with anyone can give you STDs. If you don't wear a condom, that's your problem. As for the prostitutes themselves, if it were legalized, mandatory protection could be regulated and enforced.You have to address the underlying attitudes towards women before prostitutes (in a country where it's legalised or criminalised) can actually enforce such regulations. Simply legalising it is not enough to ensure protection of sex workers.

That's among the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Almost nobody is addicted to sex, it feels good so a lot of people enjoy doing it. Those with an actual addiction to it (See: DSM-IV-TR) are a very small minority.When sexual addiction isn't actually included in the current version of the DSM or the ICD, I wonder where you found out that "almost nobody" or "a very small minority" suffer from it.

And since fucking when is the law used as a mechanism to keep us healthy? If I want to indulge in my bad habits, I fucking will.The law is there to help keep us all safe and protected. If the law allows for women to be employed as sex workers without trying to protect them, is it really succeeding in it's purpose?

Because it's illegal. Don't you get it? Banning things people want doesn't work. It didn't work with prohibition and it's not working with prostitution.Outlawing anything won't make the slightest bit of difference if the attitudes that contribute to it or are responsible for it are left in tact. Simply legalising prostitution won't make everything ok because the negative attitudes will still exist.

Well la-dee-dah, sorry that some people just want a quick fix and don't care for romantic fuck rituals with "the one". There's no reason for you to bring up this point, or many of the points you raised, in a legal debate.Ever heard of one night stands where both parties just want to have sex and don't need to have to sell sex?

[Captor K]

I find it rather ironic that prostitution and paying for sex is illegal, while porn is not. Wouldn't you say porn is basically prostitution anyway, as the actors are getting paid to have sex? I don't always see tons of safe sex in porn, so wouldn't that make it just as unsafe as prostitution? Food for thought perhaps?