Posted by julia from dhcp100049.res-hall.northwestern.edu (199.74.100.49) on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 2:13PM :
In Reply to: YYargh. posted by Jeff from bgp01107368bgs.wbrmfd01.mi.comcast.net (68.42.59.180) on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 7:26AM :
: ++++ Prostitution in America is a bad situation.
===> why is it a bad situation?
Prostitution in Germany is a bad situation. Of course, it's worse in America. Also, prostitution will always exist as long as men are what they are.
===> Your implication seems to be, it will always exist therefore the best thing we can do is manage it. I think otherwise. I think that the best way to handle this problem is to study the population of women who prostitute - and then find out what goverment can do to help them. maybe healthcare for all and income supplements or job training will help these women....help them first by giving them the means for long term success in the world, and helpthem by saving their dignity.
: : If I were to handle this situation, I would first see what kind of women wanted to participate in the prostitution economy. Were they educated , middle class women with human capital and job histories that indicate ability to move vertically and horizontally in the economy? Or were they low income women coming from abused families, with problems of drug abuse, and held jobs that offered wages that don't support a family? This to me is what is the important assessment. Then, I would ask what can I do to provide these women the resources they need to improve their material existence? Cash income supplements, health insurance, in kind transfers and childcare subsidies are all options to consider.
: +++++You are looking at it from a moral standpoint.
====> A moral,and a logical standpoint, and a common sense standpoint.
Prostitution is "sinful", and women would only do it if they were poor, or didn't care about themselves, or had low self-esteem, or low job skills, etc. etc. What if they just like sex? Keep in mind that I'm no excusing the practice.
====> I highly doubt that women who are in the position of some wealth and who are educated choose to prostitute. I believe that the majorityof women who prostitute do so bcause of a lack of options to succeed in the real world. DOn't be ignorant, man. Do you think it's the oldest profession because women 'like sex'? Or because these women have few alternatives to live successful lives? What about your concept of dignity? who wants their body for an economic transaction? I would argue that very few women would ELECT to prostitute themselves if they could have otherthings, such as an education and networking to better jobs and a better lifestyle.
'Keep in mind that I'm not excusing the practice.' Why don't you excuse the practice? I mean, if your mother or sister became a prostitute, would that bother you - what if they just liked it?
There are plenty of people in the world who have sex - and plenty of women who like it. But you don't see educated women making sex their vocation - you see the poorer ones, the ones lacking an education or perhaps had problems with sex abuse growing up, or with drugs- making it their job.
I don't try hard to disagree with you, but i think in this case you were pretty flippant about something you didn't think about thorougly.
-- julia
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