Posted: Jan 02, 2014 7:16 pm
Pebble wrote:scott1328 wrote:Pebble wrote:THWOTH wrote:
When it comes to sex-work, I can see no reason why it cannot comprise a kind of mutual contract entered into freely for the benefit of the parties concerned, essentially no different than purchasing any other goods or services. That the goods in question is the time of the sex-worker, and that the services are sexual, does not seem particular contentious, as long as remains a mutual exchange entered into freely by autonomous individuals.
The problem is that there is a long history of abuse of this particular 'free choice' so creating the structures in which we could guarantee that only those who freely choose to become prostitutes do so, is not so straightforward. I would certainly agree that it is not for others to tell women that they cannot do so, but without adequate safeguards, it is certainly an opportunity for widespread abuse.
The simplest way to ensure the health and safety of sex workers is to legalize and regulate it. Prostitutes are at the mercy of their johns and pimps, because they do not have the police to protect them.
Certainly that would improve the situation enormously, however it still leaves the thorny issue of economic necessity as opposed to choice.
True, but how many MacDonald's and Wal-Mart workers are there by choice?