I was wondering what both providers and clients who have been at this for a good long time (20+ years) think of the state of the sex for pay business now-a-days.

I started in around 1974, so I have some perspective on this.

The internet has easily been that main game changer, and I think it has been to the good.  Cell phones and ATM ,machines also have been good for the business.  I would also toss in relatively cheap air travel as a big plus.

When accounting for inflation, I'd say prices have been mostly flat, and service and selection are better than ever.

On top of that there is now a sense of community that never existed, and that is a big plus.  Thank you TER.

The big question is where do we go from here?

Will the business become legitimate and main stream in the future?  Will that be good or bad?

Look at the things that have come about which people used to say would never happen:  legal abortion, gay marriage, an African-American president.  The hobby is legal in parts of Nevada, and in most westernized countries, so is it that far fetched to hope for?

Anyone have a crystal ball?

I am having the best time I've ever had in the hobby and have been for a while now.  I go back over 20 years as well but for a long time I was mostly involved with picking up street walkers. When that became less inviting I moved towards the ads in the free papers and then finally discovered the internet.  

I agree that prices have remained pretty much flat or at least I am able to find what I am looking for at the same price point now as three or four years ago.

I don't see the legal status of the hobby changing in this country anytime soon.  I am in favor of decriminalization rather than legalization.  The last place you will ever see me hobby is in a legal brothel in Nevada.  Honestly, I don't see any sort of national or regional groundswell of support for any change in status.  It doesn't really appear to be on anyone's radar beyond this board.

lol.

The only Crystal Ball that i'm aware of is owned by Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw. It's on the river STYX. LOL

if we could decriminalize the hobby/job, I definitely do not want it legal, where they regulate my money and determine my rules, but it would be better if it definitely was   decriminalized.

All I can do is compare the business today to the way it was 20 years ago.  Bottom line: it's better in every way.  Perhaps I was too limited back then, as I stuck to a few houses on the East Side of Manhattan.  I had a great time, but you had to find gals by trial and error; lousy print ads in sleazy tabloids, then make a blind call, knock on a door and wonder what you'd find inside.  No GFE/PSE then either.
As for legalization, don't hold your breath.  I never thought I'd see the day that weed would start becoming legal, so never say never on this.  But I think the hobby is even more taboo than weed, though I'm far from sure about it.  For it to become legal there would have to be a financial incentive for local municipalities, in other words a tax.  That's why weed is becoming legal; during the financial crisis, with tax revenues drying up, states realize there's a lot of money to be made by taxing the legal consumption of weed.  If this model can be applied to the sex business, it might work.  The problem is, if it's out in the open, location becomes an issue.  In NY, for example, porn shops are limited to certain areas as a result of neighborhood pressure.  Image the outcry a legal brothel in Manhattan would provoke, let along dozens of them.  But, my God, wouldn't a Red Light District in Manhattan (or any other city) like the one in Amsterdam be amazing!  My prediction is that by the time this happens my dick will have long since fallen off.

I'd say...

I dunno.

Most of the world's population still lives in countries where prostitution is illegal.  And in countries where prostitution is legal, there is still significant stigma and consequent problems.  c.f. the tampep.eu reports.

In countries with relatively recent ongoing experiments in legalization, like Germany, where I've spend a lot of time, the results are mixed.  Tax compliance and health may have gone up, but trafficking has increased greatly.  And it can be argued that the tax compliance and health have gone up not due to legalization but rather better organization (thanks to internet, etc).  Most people still consider it a 'shameful' profession, and by far most women there I know (and I know quite a few, both foreigners and Germans, in everything from brothels to street work to independent escort work) try to obscure their profession.  There are some good organizations (c.f. HYDRA, sort of like SWOP here), but there's a LOT of women in the biz, and it's very competitive.  This competition, plus the stigma, plus the fact that we are talking mostly about young party girls (with a few young party boys or stigmatized transexuals, mostly foreign).  The real problem are the organizations that profit from the sex workers.  The traffickers and others are jockeying for dominance in a relatively new and very profitable market.  Even the 'good guys', like Haki Simsek who started Artemis in Berlin made their money mostly from gambling, and are associated with shady stuff all over.  Throw in some Russian mobs and drugs, and it can get nasty.  

Even in farther Northern European countries, the 'experiment' is less an obvious success for prostitution.

BUT...

In general, attitudes toward sex are becoming more liberal over the last half century.  And medical science (birth control, STI treatments) have facilitated the profession.  So yea, it's changing.  But I think the main good thing is better communication, like you say.  More transparency, better organization among sex workers, etc.  I think things are definitely getting better.  Eventually, I think the bad stuff will disappear and getting laid will be like getting a massage or any other 'personal service'.

In simple economics, if you decriminalize paid, consensual sex between ADULTS, then you don't have to devote those police resources to something that is a waste of time to police (in my opinion). I'm sure there are those in law enforcement that feel the same way, though obviously some don't. As this country matures, remember we are only 200+ years old, we will continue to make the same kind of logical decisions Mr. Fisher mentioned at the end of his post. So I am optimistic that at some point many states will adopt a Canadian type decriminalization stance.

Sorry, I'm whipping this out fast, so it's a bit disjointed.  A German foundation supports my work with prostitutes in Germany, and there's a zillion things I could say, but in reference to the original question...

Ultimately I think these things are cyclical.  Attitudes toward prostitution historically have changed from place to place and time to time.

But I am pretty sure that increased transparency, communication, and training are key to improving things.  As professionalism grows, the stigma and exploitation will wane.  As for how to get there, I am big on schools and peer networking.  I am big on transparency.  I like TER for enhancing a sense of community and attempting to enforce professionalism and high standards.  

What can YOU do to help?

Customers: Demand professionalism.  Don't contribute to exploitation or unprofessionalism.  That means:  No short-changing women, no pushing boundaries.  Pay her properly and don't encourage her to cross lines. Even if you're a nice guy, the next one might not be.  Do not contribute to any business that you think might be exploitive.  If you have a bad feeling about an agency or a women, don't let your dollars help them stay in business.  Use this site.  If you can, be open about being a John.  You can't expect providers to carry the torch alone.  

Providers: Be professional.  Be a good representative of your profession.  COMMUNICATE.  Share information.  Be supportive of others.  Do not allow others to be exploited.  Remember that a rising tide floats all boats, so don't get wrapped up in competitiveness.  Keep in mind that the front lines for legalization of prostitution are not in the U.S.  They are in Northern Europe and Canada.  FORGE LINKS to foreign sex worker organizations.  The world is shrinking.  Their problems and successes will soon be yours.  It's great to make a buck and have fun, but you are also, whether you like it or not, a soldier for societal change.  Tackle the challenge.  Help change the world!

I think I'm preaching to the choir here at TER, but anyway, that's my two cents.

You could always write SWOP or HYDRA or TAMPEP or something into your will...  OK, maybe ten times as many people have malaria as suffer stigmatization or sex trafficking.  But the numbers for both are still in the millions.  And Bill Gates I don't think is supporting sex work.  Although MS Windows has fucked me enough times.

In the future, the hobby will be more accepted by the society; internet will play a key role for providers and hobbyists to establish initial contacts; there will be less streetwalkers; internet ads will be more regulated; price level will stay about the same as now; more mainstream women will be attracted into the business; most providers will be independent as screening, booking, advertising becoming easier and more reliable; hobbyists population will become younger.

The main prediction is hobby market will grow exponentially.

I wish the hobby would be legit (but not pimping) - that's the law in most European nations where the hobby is legit.

The good (for Provider):   No Hiding from LE.   If some guy abuse providers, they can easily call 911 and have protection.

The bad (for Provider):   As a registered sex worker, the IRS will scrutinize their biz for tax earnings.

The good (for the State):  Income taxes from providers.

The good (for Hobbyist):   No danger with LE.

You can add some more ......

Thanks for the great link!  You seem to be actively involved in the activism arena, and it's great to have a gent here who knows what he's talking about in that regard.

Hugs.

I don't think decriminalization is an impossible dream and I am hoping that Nevada will be the first state to serve as a role model.  I feel the more outspoken we are about sex work and the realities of sex work, the stereotypes and stigmas will be removed from society.  I speak from personal experience:  in sharing the truth about the world of sex work, I've changed quite a few people's views regarding both escorts and patrons (see link to video below.)

Here are some links for those of you who are more interested in getting involved or simply learning more about sex workers' rights and the decrim topic:

http://www.bestpracticespolicy.org/

http://www.desireealliance.org/default.htm

http://www.bayswan.org/penet.html

http://www.sexworkersproject.org/

http://www.sexworkawareness.org/


Speak up, speak out!

There are many parallels between the legalization/decriminalization of marijuana and that of what we do here. In return for legal approval, the ladies/growers would be liable for taxation. The removal/decline of pimps/dealers would lower local/state/Federal law enforcement budgets, and the additional tax revenue would be beneficial. But, in the Bible, mead and wine were mentioned in a positive note while prostitution and sorcery were considered evil. America is, and will always be, shackled by its adherence to Judeo-Christian morals and values. Nevada has its own rules for us, and there are several states which address marijuana possession with a "traffic ticket". But no one on this board will live long enough to see wholesale legalization of either.

In 20+ years, you might be able to have virtual sex with the lady - web cam taken to the next level.

Someone will develop an Iphone app, combined  with a verification service. Feeling horny? See which ladies are nearby that are available.

-- Modified on 1/17/2011 6:49:44 AM

Thanks Lynette.

Mine's a long story, and I actually have very mixed feelings about legalization, but I think every participant in this business - customer or pro -- has an obligation to at least think about the issues.

Hell, there's already an iphone app called "run.pee" which will tell you when is the best time to run and take a pee during the movie you're watching!  Can iphone sex be far behind?