I don't think it should be legalized, but I would favor decriminalization. No little girl ever says, "When I grow up, I want to be a hooker," and for good reason: it's a bad gig, no matter the pay. And most prostitutes aren't well paid. Rather, they are people, often with a history of abuse and no family support, who turn to selling their bodies because they are simply trying to survive. Instead of giving them a jail sentence, I would prefer to see resources devoted to providing them with counseling, education, and job skills so that they could get a job in which they will be treated with the respect that every human being deserves.

I am, in general, for allowing adults to do whatever they want, no matter how odd or ridiculous, as long as they aren't hurting anyone. But, prostitution isn't about freedom; it is about exploitation, often of those too powerless to stand up for themselves. Legalizing prostitution would provide legitimacy to such exploitation, and doing so misses the point and would be, quite frankly, just wrong.

Are you a social worker in disguise??? :D

No, but my mother was for a number of years before I was born, and I'm sure that our discussions about her experiences on the job helped shape my worldview. Some of the stories she tells are really funny, but most are just sad.

I can definitely see the influence she had on you. It's usually pretty easy to point out a social worker based on how they view a situation like this. Your mom would be proud. :)

I'm all for it being legalized. Its not something I would ever consider as a career choice, that's just me. While I can understand the viewpoint that it is degrading (I agree that it is), I think there are other jobs that are equally, if not more, degrading. For example, McDonalds...I have an aunt who didn't find it bad enough to work at McDonalds, so she went to work in the McD's INSIDE Walmart. I think I'd rather be a hooker! Luckily, I don't have to be either. To some people, sex is just that, sex. It doesn't mean love, you don't have to be married to do it, its something that is enjoyable, so why not get paid for it? Dangerous? I don't know how much more dangerous it is than other jobs...a construction worker was killed down the street from my work the other day, window washers, cops, fire fighters, ice fishers....they're all dangerous jobs, and they are all jobs that pay commensurate to their level of danger. Why should hookers be any different? I do think they should pay taxes and provide health certificates, just like cops wear bullet proof vests. The fact of the matter is, most of these girls who choose this lifestyle have been abused, molested and/or forcefully impaired, to the point where decisions between right and wrong are not as clear to them as they may be to others. I don't think by making it illegal that we are doing those girls any justice. I am all for rehabilitation and think that's great, however I do also feel that change is never successful unless the person truly wants to change.

I've never been one of those people that lets my views, religious or not, get in the way of what is right or wrong for other people. I see this topic the same way that I see gay marriage. Am I gay? No. Will I, or have I ever been attracted to a woman? I've seen pretty girls, but they do nothing for me. One of my best friends, Andrew, is FLAMING gay! And his husband is even more flaming! (I mean absolutely no disrespect to either of them, I tell them to their face!) We have the same taste in men! For him, being gay was never a choice. He told me he kissed a girl his freshman year of high school and it was like kissing a dead fish. That's not a choice, that's just the way he is. I love him to death, and wouldn't change him for anything! Andrew got married to his man in January. Big deal. Is it a choice I would make? No, I'm not gay. That doesn't make my lifestyle any more right or wrong than his. My view is...if you don't agree with gay marriage, don't have one! Same goes with prostitution, or any other "immoral" activity....if you don't like it or don't agree with it...don't do it.

Peace

You know, I thought I was the only one who thought that was a bad slogan. It encourages not only prostitution, but adultery as well. It also encourages runaways to come to Vegas to hide. As far as legalizing it.... I'm not sure. I see the point on taxes and insurance, I agree that most hookers are from bad homes or have some type of emotional problems, but at the same time if we were to say "It's legalized" what would we be bringing our country to? A young girl could then see it as "ok" just because its legal. Just because alcohol was legalized didn't make the thrill stop. We have millions dying from alcoholism every year. I do believe that free counseling should be provided for any prostitue to help see if there is a "root to the acts" that might be fixed.

I do not believe that prostitution should ever be legalized! I do believe that there should be more safe houses and counseling centers for prostitutes. Very seriously do I doubt that most of the women in the sex industry hoped that they would grow up and be "prostitutes." I think people try to make themselves believe that these women LOVE their line of work....I encourage you to read a few biographies from former "call girls" if you are one of those people who believes this.

In my opinion, the government needs to work even harder than it already does to end human trafficking. An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually. These young women and girls are forced to work in the sex industry in the U.S. by organized criminals. If this many people are already being forced into the sex slave industry, imagine how many more would be if prostitution were legalized.
JMHO

http://www.humantrafficking.org/coun...tes_of_america