killerpineapple |
Jul 27, 2009 02:35 PM |
Wow. Boy did I miss a lot. Over the weekend this thread has evolved from mildly interesting, to frustratingly repetitive, to irrelevant, to whatever you call this latest...um...stuff.
Here's four reasons other people have given me about why prostitution continues to be illegal most places...
patriarchal misogyny and aristocratic concerns: I had a weird reaction to these two reasons because I think they can also be given as reasons for why prostitution was and is legal in certain areas. Don't feel it applies as much today except in places where it is illegal and exploitative in nature. But on second glance, they still make sense as reasons why prostitution is illegal, but again, I don't feel it applies as much today. It would be my guess that many lawmakers would be offended if you attributed their stance on prostitution to these reasons. Remnants of these may still be around but I don't think they are the primary force behind outlawing prostitution.
religious bigotry: Definitely more apparent in areas dominated by religious conservatives. But that doesn't mean it is the predominant reason. Many parts of the world controlled by liberal/progressive legislators still have no desire to legalize prostitution, at least not at a significant enough level to warrant any revision of the law.
the desire to undermine the status of women: I really don't agree with this at all. First of all, it kind of implies that women (for or against the issue) have no say in the matter even if they are legislators. Second, most people against prostitution are also against male prostitution. The ratio of men to women in this industry tempts us to approach it as a gender issue. However, if (ew, a hypothetical) the gender roles were reversed, prostitution would still be outlawed. (Yes, I can see how switching the genders would change certain elements of the issue, but I cannot see how it would change my opinion on prostitution)
As for my credentials, I scored 10 out of 10 on Facebook's "Guess Which Disney Film This Is From". Plus I squeezed one of those love-meter's at Dave&Busters and it said I was a "Red Hot Cassanova".
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