Should prostitution be legalised?

I hope not. Judging by most men's performance at a rate of £7 per hour they would be on the poverty line?

Yes. No doubt.

Some men marry for money too. Are they selling their bodies?

What I've read so far stresses that many women who have a 'career' in prostitution did not choose it; they were forced into it by unscrupulous pimps. It is the pimps who "do it for money". The idea behind legalising prostitution is to help girls and women escape out of it, if they choose, and to transfer any criminality to the people who abuse them.

Perhaps the powers that be should look closely at the "Nordic" model, if indeed the "middle man" could be eliminated, because unfortunately where there is a prostitute, inevitably there is a pimp. Among the posts so far, as Iam64 through her work has had first hand experience of contact with young women who have been sucked into this way of life, her comments carry more weight with me. As Julie Burchill alluded to in the Mirror article the "Happy Hooker" is a misnomer. If they were indeed happy and in control then it wouldn't be the problem it is. I tend to think unfortunately, even those who have had some choice, they still often end up with mental health problems and self loathing issues.

Red light areas should be well away from residential areas, no one really wants to be walking their child to and from school and be propositioned at the same time. I don't really like lap dancing clubs on the high street, there has been a proliferation of them in Bournemouth where we have a time share and it has made the place a magnet for stag (and hen) parties. We tend to avoid the town like the plague from Friday through to Sunday evening because it turns feral!

All in all it's the dark underbelly of the sex industry that is so repugnant, as the ever present news stories about trafficking of the often under age victims makes us well aware that they are treated as disposable commodities. Shame on us as a society for letting human beings be treated in such a way. Maybe the Scandinavian answer should be considered.

The Scandinavian countries do seem to manage this better than many other countries. I'm a bit of a Scandi fan because so many of their institutions operate well, they seem prepared to pay taxes and in return get good public services.

Simple answer -- yes. far better out in the open and under control than as present.
Legalising it would protect the women involved and everyone's health.
It's the oldest profession and will always be with us, why not accept the inevitable.

Pimping is the problem.

If prostitution was made legal, then it would come under health and safety rules, standards of service etc. This would make it safer for all parties and make it easier to prosecute pimps and stop prostitutes who are working in unsafe conditions.

Would not be my career choice but obviously there is a need for this service.

I haven't had time to read this yet but find it strange that Northern Ireland have legalised prostitution but have such archaic views about abortion.

I say yes, surely it has to be better than the current situation

Big difference between having sex and aborting a life

I say yes too. It would keep the girls safer and they would have to pay tax, which everyone else has to do.

No, of course we wouldn't want it to be a choice for our children but it will always be around. I would rather know that the girls were as safe as possible. How many have been murdered and targeted for murder?

Has anyone seen "Monster"? A true story about Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who becomes a serial killer. Brilliant performance by Charlize Theron. But scary what she did.

We had a prostitute rent one of our flats for 6 years. She kept the flat beautiful, never any trouble. Unlike the couple who gave us references from their church, trashed the flat, left dog mess all over new carpet and never paid us rent for 6 months.

Most of the sex workers are not doing it as a career, but to feed a habit, most are controlled by dreadful men and living in constant danger and risk of violence. Legalising it would not stop the pimps, the vile creatures have the control.

I wouldn't like a legalised brothel in my street or my children to think it is ever right to sell their bodies. By legalising anything you make it acceptable. Would anyone want their loved daughter or granddaughter doing it? It is heartbreaking to think of young vulnerable women doing the job.

Are there statistics which will show the majority are addicts or ruled by men?

Posters seem to think it is all right to "let" them do it. Personally I would fight tooth and nail to stop them if I could.
When they start, I cant see that they could fully know what they are getting themselves into. Poor women

If women choose to do it and men are prepared to pay for it there is no problem. If women are coerced into it then there is. Deciding which is a problem for others than us. Pimps should be put away for the rest of their lives.

I say yes,prostitutes offer the service a client requires,and if that is something the clients partner (if they have one) is not prepared to join in with would it not be safer to pay someone who is willing as part of a transaction,I know rape is about power as opposed to sex,but would it also prevent some sex attacks happening.

Where is the evidence to support the suggestion that use of prostitutes to provide sexual services that the individual's life partner won't provide, will prevent some sex attacks?

I don't know of any such research.

I didnt say it had been researched ,it is entirely my personal opinion.

I am with obione here- as prostitutions denigrates other kind of work and encourages it- especially for the vulnerable. Even in controlled brothels- prostitutes are still slaves to some very debasing requests from some very sick men. If this would not be good enough for you, your daughters and grand-daughters, your sisters- why would it be for 'other' women?

I can see the pro's and cons yes if it makes it safer for the women who choose to do it, but how long will it take before the government make them pay tax on there earnings.

Why shouldn't they pay tax on their earnings?

Or, if you're asking why they don't already then that's another reason for legalising prostitution, I suppose...

That is such a good point * shirleyhick *. I, for one, hadn't thought of that aspect of it. Could the government, or the country for that matter, take money from a trade such as that?