Prostitution and the law...

[nyj]

Was listening to a song today that was speaking on the differences of the rich versus the poor.  In it, it mentions the destitute state of some peoples and how they sometimes need to do whatever they can to get food on the table and a roof over their heads... not just for themselves but for their family.  Sometimes, and I don't think this would come as a surprise to most people, women may resort to prostitution.

 

Now, prostitution is a criminal activity, and as such, women who engage in this practice, if caught, can face jail time.  Yes, the people who solicit also can go to jail.  Personally I think those that solicit should do MORE jail time.

 

Now, what I have a problem with is that if a person is already in dire straits, what good purpose does jail time serve?  Would it not be better to help that person make an honest living, help them restore their dignity and find a lawful means to keep a roof over their head and food on the table?

 

It seems to me that jail time in these instances is counter productive.  I think this is but one failure of society.  It seems as if jail, in this instance, is just a way for society to keep some of the "undesirables" out of eye-sight for a while.

 

Does anyone else have an opinion?

 

[Josephus]

I believe in a perfect world, women would not even have to resort to prostitution. As such, we don't and we are sadly relegated to selfishly spending our tax money on politician's vacations other than sending it to support charity rehab programs.  But the true fix to everything is in letting both the politician and the prostitute know the truth about Jesus Christ.

 

[Job_38]

I think that jail time for any crime should result in hard labor, slave labor for a comapny that needs work done. Then that money is payed to the State, then used for projects, defense and in the cases of private prisons, they get the money.

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by Job_38
I think that jail time for any crime should result in hard labor, slave labor for a comapny that needs work done. Then that money is payed to the State, then used for projects, defense and in the cases of private prisons, they get the money.

 

But how does this help the prostitute break out of the cycle of sex, drugs and destitution?  How does this sort of treatment release the prostitute from the clutches of the devil?

 

[strathyboy]

I think Mao Zedong had one of the best solutions to the prostitution problem.
He had them all retrained to perform other duties, such as factory workers, farmers, secretaries, or sent to school for higher learning. He also offered economic bonuses for any who wanted to get married, partly because a married woman would be unlikely to return to prostitution.

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by strathyboy  
think Mao Zedong had one of the best solutions to the prostitution problem.


He had them all retrained to perform other duties, such as factory workers, farmers, secretaries, or sent to school for higher learning. He also offered economic bonuses for any who wanted to get married, partly because a married woman would be unlikely to return to prostitution.

 

I've never heard of Mao Zedong before, but his solution to the problem is something that I think was a good idea.  Question is, do we even attempt something similar here in North America?  If not, why not?

 

[strathyboy]

Originally posted by nyj


 

I've never heard of Mao Zedong before, but his solution to the problem is something that I think was a good idea.  Question is, do we even attempt something similar here in North America?  If not, why not?

Mao Zedong was the infamous Chairman Mao who implemented a communist system in China. He actually had lots of good ideas, but they tend to get overshadowed by his bad ones.

I think the solution is a very good one. But the problem is getting tax-payers to endorse it. Some people might be unwilling to have their own tax-dollars spent to help solve someone else's problem.

 

[Divinus]

Personally, I think that prostitution should be legalised. We're not going to get rid of it - it is the oldest profession, after all - and at least if it was legal then we could get rid of the drugs, the pimps and the violence. And then we could make sure no women were forced to do it by men, through drug addiction or anything else, but had a choice. And also the women who felt they had to do it because of poverty could be a bit more visible - instead of having to hide because of fear of the police - so they could be helped easier, and not have things made worse by time in prison or fines.

So, I'm with the English Collective of Prostitutes, and their associated trade union, the GMB, on this one.

 

[HazyRigby]

You all know that men are prostitutes, too--right?

 

[Divinus]

Rent boys, yes, HazyRigby.
Them too.

 

[Annabel Lee]

Originally posted by Job_38
I think that jail time for any crime should result in hard labor, slave labor for a comapny that needs work done. Then that money is payed to the State, then used for projects, defense and in the cases of private prisons, they get the money.

Slave labor? You must be kidding. How in God's name will that help a prostitute break out? Will the men who frequent prostitutes be forced to be slaves also? This is supply and demand. You stop the demand (men) and the supply will dry up. Maybe men need to have more self control.
Oh, and if you could do something about the pimps (males), that may help also.

 

[Starscream]

Maybe men need to have more self control.

Bingo.

(Personally though, I think prostitution should be legalized - and it will be, some day)

 

[AFI]

Prostitution is legal in some parts of Nevada and all of Amsterdam.  The related problems that go w/ illegal prositution (violence, drug abuse, ect.) are non-existant.  (Well, drug abuse is equal to that of normal jobs).  Completely getting rid of prositution would be like getting rid of drugs:  There will always be a demand no matter how much it is outlawed.  My view is as follows.  If you can't get rid of something, why not make it as safe as possible for everyone interested? 

 

[Miss Shelby]

Now, what I have a problem with is that if a person is already in dire straits, what good purpose does jail time serve? Would it not be better to help that person make an honest living, help them restore their dignity and find a lawful means to keep a roof over their head and food on the table?

Yes, that does seem to make sense. But .... in order for them to change they have to want to change. And that is a very hard thing to legislate.

Michelle

 

[Job_38]

Originally posted by Annabel Lee

Slave labor? You must be kidding. How in God's name will that help a prostitute break out? Will the men who frequent prostitutes be forced to be slaves also? This is supply and demand. You stop the demand (men) and the supply will dry up. Maybe men need to have more self control.
Oh, and if you could do something about the pimps (males), that may help also.

 

 Oh no, Im not kidding. And those harlots won't "break out" unless they either choose to or are forced out of it. If you spend a month doing hard labor then you might think twice about doing it again.

 

 Oh yes, its all the mens fault. Not the prostitutes who partake in the action. The women are just the victimes. Sigh. I say this with a hard heart and must ask for forgiveness, but it burns me up to see people throw blame and morals around.  Hey, if I could have my way, the men that go to the prostitutes should be tarred and feathered.

 

[nyj]

 

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by Miss Shelby
Yes, that does seem to make sense. But .... in order for them to change they have to want to change. And that is a very hard thing to legislate.

True. Would "rehabilitation" be an alternative legal sentence, implemented by a judge who thought the prostitute in question would respond well to such a treatment? I'm sure some of these women, if given the chance, would greatly desire to stop despairing and live a normal life. Shouldn't we, as society, attempt to make that happen?

As for legalizing prostitution... that goes against my Christian ideals and I would personally find that unacceptable.

 

[isshinwhat]

If you spend a month doing hard labor then you might think twice about doing it again.

Showing someone the love and forgiveness of Christ might do the same.

Neal

 

[isshinwhat]

I'm sure some of these women, if given the chance, would greatly desire to stop despairing and live a normal life. Shouldn't we, as society, attempt to make that happen?

I wholeheartedly feel that we should. A downward spiral is a difficult thing to get out of when you see no alternatives. If we as Christians don't give them a viable alternative, who will?

God Bless,

Neal

 

[Annabel Lee]

Oh yes, its all the mens fault. Not the prostitutes who partake in the action. The women are just the victimes. Sigh. I say this with a hard heart and must ask for forgiveness, but it burns me up to see people throw blame and morals around. Hey, if I could have my way, the men that go to the prostitutes should be tarred and feathered.

(I'm wondering, of course, what the moderator had to edit in your post)

Please do not put words in my mouth. I never said the women were just victims. I am saying that the men who frequent prostitutes are equally culpable.

And just who is throwing blame and morals around? We are discussing how best to deal with the problem of prostitution in a "Christian manner".

*tarred and feathered*...well there is a solution. Wasn't that outlawed in the 19th century?