Should prostitution be legalised?

If prostitution is legalised, the job centre would see it as a legitimate job and everybody would be employed. If you think " oh no, the government would NEVER do something like that" then think again: Ian Duncan Smith would be jumping up and down with joy if he could get ALL of the unemployed working as prostitutes - he'd turn it into a tourist business between him and his rich buddies - "Come to Great Britain - the Prostitutes are on less than minimum wage so you won't pay much, you'll have a great holiday!" Adults only Britain. As soon as kids reach 16, they would be fair game for this job, legally. The only country in the world with FULL EMPLOYMENT!!!

Isn't there a difference between "legalising" and "de-criminalising"?

I think legalising suggests that the state should put in place rules and regulations under which prostitution should operate, including perhaps authorising and regulating the operation of brothels. My feeling is that if the state becomes involved in the regulation of prostitution, especially if it is primarily to regularise the tax situation, it is legitimising the use and abuse of a human being for money.

From the Gransnetters on here who have knowledge of prostitution and the often very sad and powerless lives led by prostitutes, it seems to me that the state should in no way facilitate their abuse. There are, quite rightly, very strong feelings about the way underage women were groomed into prostitution in Rochdale and Rotherham. Why is it suddenly acceptable when someone reaches the age of 16 to be paid for sex even though they may be just as vulnerable as they were at the age of 15?

As I understand it, prostitutes are quite at liberty to attend sexual health clinics as often as they feel necessary to seek advice and treatment - and I believe there are several charities whose workers support prostitutes on various issues, including assisting them if they wish to change their lifestyle. I think it is important that sex workers are made fully aware of the health checks they can access and where they can obtain help and advice. If there is a need for more sexual health clinics and support services, then more money should be allocated to it. But the idea that some state-appointed medical practitioner should have the legal right to demand that a sex worker submit to medical examination is I think de-humanising and abhorrent.

I certainly don't think female or male prostitutes should be criminalised and I'm not even sure whether it is a good idea to criminalise their clients unless, of course, there is an issue of underage sex, threats or violence involved. I think the emphasis should be on encouraging sex workers to change their lives through counselling and beating their addictions.

For those who feel that prostitution is acceptable provided that no coercion is involved, how exactly would it be possible to establish that a person had not been trafficked/groomed when under age/threatened/drugged, etc. etc.?

As to the view that married women who don't work are, in effect, prostitutes, I think it's ridiculous. I think that women (or men) who stay at home to look after children are also working. Would it be said that a stay-at-home dad, living on his wife's income, was "prostituting" himself?

btw my 'bags' are tea bags hence 'etheltbags'. except today Im on as reikilady

How do you explain your posts of 20.48, 20.50 and 20.55 then?

Oh yes! Some of the clients (shudder!!) How horrible!! I think you'd have earned your money!!!!!!!!

If I regarded my relationship with DH as that of legalised prostitution(!) I think I'd feel pretty dispirited!! If you really regarded yourself as that ethelbags or whatever you call yourself, it's no wonder you view the idea of any partnership as some sort of degradation! Poor you, how sad is that.

I guess if it provides a safer environment for the prostitute than I suppose yes, but honestly I can't think of anything more degrading or soul destroying to see one's body used and abused in this way. The thought of some of the clients oh!!!!!! YUK.

btw my 'bags' are tea bags hence 'etheltbags'. except today Im on as reikilady.

Thanks NanaandGrampy!

Cross post. Not sure if I agree with myself now or not!

You're a better person than me obieone

I love your user name by the way !

niggly yes I agree , some very well reasoned discussion. It's interesting to see what other people think about the question.

I think etheltbags is just plain jealous.
I also happen to think though, that she does have some admirable qualities underneath.
If you were to start a thread, etheltbags, I think you well know that you would get some support. Perhaps have a think about it.

I haven't been unpleasant to anyone. I simply said what I thought, no one has the right to criticise anyone for their views. I don't agree with some things that are said but I don't have a go at anyone for it.
Can you not accept that I feel that women are legalised prostitutes if they depend upon a man to provide. I never have. what have I said that is rude, I haven't sworn, I don't like bad language Nellie, I haven't pointed a finger at anyone in particular. If I want to live my life my way then I will but Im not bitter at anyone being in a relationship. I have been married but now a widow I have got used to being alone and I like it. I never like sex anyway.

Actually, I was beginning to think that too, so as you say, best ignored! As for legalising prostitution? To be honest I don't really know, so can't add much to this conversation, but its interesting to read what others think.

* Niggly* I think ethelbags enjoys this.

So , by ignoring her she won't get what she wants.

Hang on a minute, why on earth shouldn't nannaandgrampy post on here together if that's what they want to do? It's not hurting you, no one expects you to do the same, what business is it of yours?!! I can't begin to fathom you out. Why do you post on here just to criticise, upset and be downright rude to people who are trying to have a peaceful conversation. You're at liberty to live your life how you see fit, so please allow us to do the same. If you really can't be pleasant go away and leave the rest of us alone.

Hahaha very funny ethelbags reikilady !!

My user name derives from a Facebook account I shared with my husband so we could see the kids pictures. I just used it here for a username .

So what's in a name eh? I mean ...where are your bags ethel ? Under your eyes or on your thighs? I'm sure you just picked a name out of thin air , as did I.

And for your information, my husband and I have very different views, never check up on each other , totally approve of what each other says and trust each other implicitly. I know it's not something you have but that's what the best marriages have.

I just feel sorry for you ethelbags. I have one of those old men you're so dismissive of, he has an old woman, and, warts and all we love each other dearly and have done so for 52 years through thick and thin. Yes, one day two will turn into one, but at least that one will have happy memories not bitter ones.

nanaandgrampy why do you have to be on the forums together can you not have separate views, do you check on each other and see if you approve of what the other is saying, do you not trust each other.

B;imey ethel/reiki how nasty are you? And still getting away with having two usernames...

i thought I heard something .......but it was just tumbleweed

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

How many women have said that when they denied him his rations he went elsewhere. Men cannot do without sex therefore they will go elsewhere to get it. I watched a documentary last week about a gay male sauna and one of the men said that men are different they need sex they just don't care who with.

Its an old fashioned saying that a man marries for his home comforts.

Im not winding anyone up and I have a super life. I just don't want to be smothered by living in a relationship I don't care what anyone else does. I am happy being a 'me' not a 'we'. I am free to come and go as I please which many of you are not, I don't have to drag an old man around the shops. I want no one to contradict me or tell me what to buy/wear/look like/do in bed etc etc.

I agree totally Iam64 I've enjoyed the reasoned debate right up to that point.

Sad life I think, but I can't be sure!! ethelbags?! Do you really think so? Not sure what to say. Poor her I suppose