Should prostitution be legalised?

For all the health benefits, Yes.

Absolutely, yes.

No. It gives it legitimacy. It would be considered a career by some.

Yes, to protect the vulnerable.

Yes,why not.Anything goes today.nothings sacred now.

Yes. I believe it is a woman right to do what she wishes with her body and as long as reaps whatever profit is to be made I think thats fine.

Other countries who have legitimised prostitution seem to manage it perfectly well. Germany and The Netherlands spring to mind.

obieone whilst it wouldn't be my career choice I see no reason why if a woman wishes to make it so she shouldn't. If it was legitimised and regulated it would just be like any other career.

Except...... It would be easier to hide girls and boys away in a house, they would never be allowed out, and who knows what would go on there, ignored by all including the police.

Don't forget, it's not prostitution that is considered a crime, but soliciting.

I understand the arguments for legalising but can't bring myself to believe it's the right way forward.

My work brought me into direct contact with so called sex workers and those who exploit them. I only met one woman who didn't have a substance misuse problem but she did have an abusive partner who organised her work.

Can any of us say we'd be happy and supportive if one of our own children, boy or girl, decided on prostitution as a means of earning a living.

When I lived close to a red light area, I was harassed every day as I walked my 6 year old to and from school. We mum's organised things so we often had three or four 6 year olds walking with us. The constant stream of men slowing down and asking "how much love", "are you working love" was nauseating, occasionally threatening and always totally inappropriate given the presence of children.

Sex work is dangerous. I understand that legalising it may provide more safety for working girls, boys and adult sex workers but why can't we have a proper debate about why so many men (and it usually is men) feel the need to buy sex. What's wrong with either casual sex with like minded partners, ora long term committed and loving relationship> (yes I know about people with disabilities etc but that isn't the focus of my question)

I'm in favour of The Nordic Model.

here

NanaandGrampy. Because it isnt like any other career. By a long way.

You appear to be saying it is. Would you promote or encourage it for family and friends, just like any other career?
And if not, why not?

obieone I would neither promote it or encourage it for family and friends but then their career choice is none of my business either way.

What I am saying is that IF a woman ( or man for that matters) wants to do this then no amount of legislation will stop them , so by legislating they may ( and I only say may) be more protected.

I am saying its a choice -- not mine-- not yours -- theirs .

And that I do support.

Yes

If it is like any other career, should it be advertised if there is a shortage, like eg teaching or The Royal Navy?

It's hard to give a definitive answer on this. Clearly this has been around since the beginning of time and it isn't going to go away. To me it's very much about the dynamic. If the provider male or female, is truly entering into a pact freely then I don't have a problem with that, but so often it's a power thing and the woman, because I imagine more often than not the prostitute is female have been coerced, trafficed, forced, have been made drug dependent and worse still under age. I just hate the idea of that. If it's their choice, they are adult and if it means they will be protected and free from danger with medical checks then yes.

I think yes.

Very good, concise description of the Nordic Model. Thank you ffinn.

One sentence did worry me: "Since the introduction of the law, street prostitution has decreased (while increasing dramatically in Sweden’s neighbors) and Sweden has become an undesirable destination for pimps and traffickers."
This suggests to me that the trafficking that Sweden has managed to 'delete' within its own borders has just moved to another place.

I would hope that, with time, and with more countries adopting this model, attitudes would gradually change, making the buying of sex more difficult and less acceptable and so, eventually, reduce the 'demand'.

I think it is a terrible way to have to earn a living, which is what these people are doing, and it is not always their choice, just a way to survive, however, I do not think making it legitimate will make any difference to that, just means they are not breaking the law. It is in any case the soliciting which is the crime, not the action.

Women marry for money, marry for a title, so they too are selling their bodies

Interesting quote from Sharon Hodgson in this Huffington Post article:

In a well run brothel with no pimps involved I can't see a problem.

When I say yes, I think there should be plenty of planning restrictions in place. Wouldn't want to see a knocking shop house of dubious pleasures opening up on every residential street!

There must be other jobs that simply provide a service and are not productive.

Doubt prostitutes charge the minimum wage or work zero hours contracts