Comments on: Legalize Prostitution in the Commonwealth

By: rives

rives — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:23:30 +0000

aha Gary Hart has entered the house….

By: Jim Hoeft

Jim Hoeft — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:20:45 +0000

Anne,
Is this your most commented on post? If so, I think that says alot.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:08:34 +0000

I just want sex.

By: ka-ja

ka-ja — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:46:24 +0000

I always find it amusing how many people can quote Mark Twain when the results of studies don’t support their biased opinion. A phrase from your second paragraph probably sums up the problem with your reasoning – “one can only imagine…” Your entire argument is based on imagination and stereotypes, not substantiated facts from the real world.

By: Citizen Tom

Citizen Tom — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:26:07 +0000

KA-JA, before you quote statistics, please take the time to understand how statistics can be used to mislead. With respect to behavioral studies, I think it safe to say that statistics are often more confusing than useful. Consider this reference, http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1091350.

“Sex worker?” I believe that is what we call a euphemism. I suppose it is possible that some prostitutes have a higher self-esteem after they take up prostitution. Assuming that is true, one can only imagine what these prostitutes were doing before they took up “sex work.”

Let’s set the statistics aside and consider what should be obvious. Given she has a viable alternative, it is extremely difficult persuade a woman to become a prostitute.

By: ka-ja

ka-ja — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:42:16 +0000

Citizen Tom,

Your facts are wrong. According to US government statistics, you’re far more likely to pickup an std from casual sex than you are from a “professional sex worker”. Only 3-5% of all std transmissions are the result of sex between a prostitute and her customer - probably most of these are “street girls”, not professional “escorts” or “models”.

As to “what prostitution does to the prostitute”, again research shows that professional sex workers have just as high self-esteem as women in other careers, including house wives or home makers. In fact, many sex workers report that their self-esteem is higher than before they began sex work.

To the main point of this thread, sexual frustration is a common symptom of violence; however, I don’t know of any research that has studied the therapeutic effect of prostitution.

By: Badrose

Badrose — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:04:36 +0000

You’re in good company - only my dog is truly versed in my sense of humor . .

The chance of prostitution (not just escorts) EVER being legal in Virginia is so minute that I thought it was a funny proposition (pun!)

I agree with you if we’re talking about “real men” (those over 25). Here’s an article about 90% of violent offenders (in England & Wales) being between the ages of 17 & 24:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/feature/men_and_violence.htm

By: Citizen Tom

Citizen Tom — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:44:31 +0000

Tongue in cheek? I guess I am not sufficiently versed with your sense of humor. I also found it quite easy to take you seriously. Unfortunately, there are plenty of folks who think the idea of legalizing the oldest “profession” would be harmless.

As to how testosterone affect behavior — well, I do not doubt there are some effects. Nonetheless, I doubt having sex has much affect on a man’s self-control. Rather, I think it is the other way around. I suspect it is those men with the greatest self-control who find it easiest to persuade a woman into bed.

By: Badrose

Badrose — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:03:37 +0000

Rives:
I love the name Zelda! (and Link!)
I think since kids tend to do the opposite of what we want and expect, I may adopt a daughter and name her “Sleezebag,” just to see how she turns out.

Citizen Tom:
My response to Rives was, again, tongue in cheek. (kinda)

By: Badrose

Badrose — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:59:08 +0000

Citizen Tom:
As an avid reader of “Men’s Health” I can cite numerous articles linking testosterone to aggression and violence. In fact, according to “Men’s Health,” testosterone is either a cause or a cure for most everything your sex does.
While I couldn’t find an article specifically stating that young men who get laid are less likely to commit mass murders, I couldn’t find one that refuted this theory, either. I think most reasonable people would agree that young men getting laid regularly are less likely to be violent but I thought most reasonable people could see that this post was written tongue in cheek (hmmmm), the point being that to legalize prostitution would be a more effective knee-jerk reaction than to “tweak” the 2nd amendment further.
Personally, I have no qualms with the current application of prostitution: calling it an “escort service.”