I was reading the LA Times "Legalize Prostitution" op-ed piece today (linked to below) by a woman anthropology professor at George Washigton University who spent a year working (an an anthopologist) at a legal, state-regulated brothel in Mexico.
Based on that experience, she opines that prostitution (which you may know as "The Hobby") should be legalized in the U.S. I have read other similar pieces by people who looked at brothels in Nevada who felt they were a bad deal for women working in them.
I have talked to providers who say it should just be decriminalized completely -- no laws regulating it whatsoever. However, I don't see that happening here. Besides the whole moral outrage thing, the government is going to have to address the STDs issue and will probably want to protect both providers and clients from other things (the guys who associate sex and violence, for example).
So what laws would you envision regulating legalized prositution? Medical checks, condom use, registration, where business is conducted, agencies/pimps, advertising, taxation, protecting providers and clients from violence, soliciting restrictions -- what would you do?
Personally, my limited exposure to the British model (and I don't know many details) impressed me. Streetwalking is not allowed, and providers can't congregate in brothels (which has its benefits and drawbacks). I wouldn't want to see a registration system that allows providers to be identified and stigmatized either.
-- Modified on 3/13/2008 2:32:11 PM
she is not ugly she is a basic wife
I would be perfectly happy to go down to city hall and present:
1. Proof of legal age (whatever age they want to establish for eligibility licensing eligibility)
2. A recent negative STD screen from an accepted health care provider
3. A recent negative drug screen from an accepted health care provider or screener
And pay whatever fee is required to recieve a temporary sex worker license, and if necessary, repeat the above steps every 90 to 180 days.
And if they want me to sign an affidavit that I am under no duress or coersion in seeking a SWL, I would be fine with that too. If they want to fingerprint me, I would be fine with that as well.
"happily" cough up under the heading of excise tax? Not income taxes mind you, you'd still owe those. Think cigarettes and liquor and how much extra the state takes on the sale of those.
The state would undoubtedly become just like a useless “pimp”, taking a huge chunk of the proceeds while providing no added value, other than promising not to crush you fro lack of compliance.
But then, maybe a willing “big brother” would be better than an unwilling one, as you have today?
sad thing is, thanks to all the moralists in this country....this will never happen
Thanks for the link. That was an interesting read.
If prostitution were legalized we'd have to balance reasonable requirements against the risk the states would use those requirements to effectively ban the hobby. For instance, if a license were mandatory, then the state could simply refuse to issue licenses. It's been done before with handguns and licensing so it's possible that it could done again.
Even so, I would accept reasonable zoning rules (no brothels next to the grade school) and restrictions on advertising (no beavers on the side of the city bus). I also like the idea of the state offering a safe-sex certification. It would be optional, but would allow providers to demonstrat that they've gotten regular check-ups and follow safe sex practices.
An interesting problem occured in Germany where women who were on the welfare dole were offered jobs by legal prostitution businesses. As I heard it, they faced the option of joining the business or losing their benefits. That may be an urban legend, but it suggests that there could be myriad social issues stemming from legalization.
1) A private transaction between consenting adults should be legal.
2) Streetwalking and public solicitation should be prohibited.
3) An individual prostitute could work from a residence.
4)Brothels would be legal in areas that are zoned for commercial business. Brothels could employ several ladies Brothel ads and signs would have to be tasteful and not have graphic terms or images.
5) Outcalls (by either independents or brothel girls) would be legal in private locations (home, hotel room, etc.) supplied by the client.
6) Brothels would be licensed and subject to health requirements.
Just decriminalize it.
It will still carry some kind of stigma given the
hypocritical puritanical views of this country.
But, women could probably confide in someone to
protect themselves.
They would let the man know that some personal info
would be required to see them (about the same as is
used in screening now). That way they can have some one to give information too for their safety
Just keep it simple. take it off the streets.
Love and fortune favors the bold.
Decriminalize means that the laws are kept on the books, but enforcement is lenient. Legalize means that there are actually no laws against it. Society isn't ready, socially, to accept full legality.
First step, decriminalize: it would be better if the convictions are automatically re-cast as ordinance violations so that it doesn't go on the person's record. The only time the charges are kept on the books is when more serious crimes, like laundering, trafficking or drugs are involved, or when it's so blatant that it disturbs an entire neighborhood. Also no street soliciting.
I hope that in 15 years, when people are used to it and they accept the women as good citizens. You could take another step.
In no way do I think women should have to register, unless they have a conviction for something else, and have to work.
Forget about Nevada where it is legal but overregulated. Most of the world deals with legalized prostitution just fine.
Why shouldn't women have to register just like any other business owner? If the guy that cuts my lawn or fixes my car has to have a business license, why should a provider who makes hundreds an hour be treated any different?
Look for one thing at some of the regulations states and cities come up with for strip clubs. Without making a cultural change, legality puts ladies right in the hands of the regulators: who might have objections to the business, and who also might be opportunistic about their regulatory positions.
Put prigs like Eliot Spitzer in charge of registering and licensing providers, where the ladies have to blow him so their registration doesn't get lost.
Then there are special taxes. For strip clubs, for example, they add on a $7 per customer door tax, for just coming into the club. Now, imagine, if we make prostitution legal and taxable how much it could be taxed?
Then there's zoning. It opens up other ways of harassment. Suppose she can't receive clients if she lives within a 1000 feet of a school or church, and she can't receive one in a residential neighborhood or hotel. So, she's legal, but she literally can't see clients.
Now let's talk health regulations and how much of a bitch these could be. For harassment purposes, suppose the State designates public clinics the women have to go to. Those public clinics keep the women there for eight hours and are incompetent with their testing.
Really, you have to think about the people who are likely going to regulate it. That's why I say in this culture, you have to do it in stages, for the providers to gain some acceptance, or else the people hellbent against them will be the ones writing the regulations and doing the regulating
Why should they not "register" their business? Because, I'm sorry, it isn't just a business like any other: it's their sex lives. And, in theory, I don't think the State has any business in getting involved in that, especially when it's likely to be hostile.
No, not at least not till full legality is reached. Really, you have to make gradual changes. If it's decriminalized and ordinary civies get to know and respect providers, that's when you begin to legalize.
Right now, Sweden and the Netherlands are reconsidering the legality of prostitution, and from that we should learn the consequences of not being careful enough about legalizing it.
If the providers have to register, then why not the hobbiest also??
Can you imagine a "John License" to show that we are healthy and clean too??
Make it like a driver's license where you have to go in a demonstrate you are competent and know the rules !!! Ha!
My first wife, my second wife, and my current wife do NOT find out I'm going there!
No street walkin!
Check ups mandatory every 3 months for both hobbiest and ladies.
Though getting a guy to see a doc is a tough nut.
Clean bill of health card one must present prior to the fun.
and er um well that is all I can cum up with.
Everything else is a go go go go go
At a SWOP convention in Las Vegas two summers ago, I met and spoke with several street walkers to get their side of things, and they make a convincing case that street walking, within reason, can be a valuable contribution to the hobby.
Nothing is ever as black and white as we would have it be.
why anyone would choose to be a street walker is beyond me. I would never value myself so low as to take such small fee for my time ect. Just like I don't do 1/2 hr appts. I am certainly not going to hop in a car and blow some guy for 50 or what ever. If they feel they enjoy what they do, then why not do it and make what you are worth for your time. Not what you personally are worth but your time.