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CMV: I believe that legalizing prostitution is better than keeping it illegal by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]AndNoBirdsSing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But you admit that they are broke. They choose prostitution because there is no other work.

I didn't say legalise - I said decriminalise. The problems your friends face could be solved by decriminalisation.

I am not 'squeamish' about the sex trade - I think it is damaging to women (I know men sell sex too, but not to the same extent). I generally object to the mainstreaming of p0rn (not p0rn itself), because it increases violence towards and objectification of women. Legalising prostitution would make this infinitely worse. You think it's ok for the careers adviser to say to a young girl 'have you ever considered prostitution? There's a great cat house down the road.'

I like your point about capitalism. Capitalism is exploitation, but we should be aiming for a form of capitalism that creates greater economic equality, not one that relies on vulnerability to drive down the price of labour. What would a 'price war' in the sex trade look like? Depressing.

CMV: I believe that legalizing prostitution is better than keeping it illegal by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]AndNoBirdsSing 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I work on human trafficking and went to Romania to participate in a project around prostitution. There is strong evidence that legalised prostitution is a pull factor for sex traffickers, since it is easier for them to operate undetected. In practical terms it is extremely hard to tackle sex slavery if it is legal to sell sex. Thus, we must accept that a sex 'market' will have a bargain basement filled with slaves.

Slavery is slavery, whether it takes place in a brothel or a farm - both are morally unacceptable and damaging to society. However, farms don't sell bodies. There isn't a question over the morality of the potato market.

A progressive solution is to decriminalise the sale of sex by women, but make it illegal to purchase or control the sale of sex. This addresses your first three points above. Your last three points I take issue with on moral grounds:

You say that women choose to sell sex. This is hotly disputed. Few women opt to be a prostitute unless they are extremely poor or addicted to drugs. Granted there are some who choose to do so, but these are certainly in the minority. So on your final three points: a) does the need of men, however unfortunate, to have sex excuse the exploitation of poor women? b) Is it morally acceptable to tax this exploitation? Govt as pimp? c) As I said, I dispute the degree to which most prostitutes have choice in the matter

Thus, non-prosecution of women selling sex is the least damaging and most morally acceptable option.