A selection of our reader comments is provided below. We believe these statements are particularly relevant to our core question "Should prostitution be legal?" or are pro or con our site.
We posted these pro, con, and not clearly pro or con comments in the approximate ratio that we received them. (For example, if 60% of the responses received are "pro," then about 60% of the responses posted below would be "pro").
The comments are arranged in reverse chronological order within each category. We sometimes edit comments for brevity, clarity, and spelling. We may also remove comments posted when we find better comments covering the same issues or for other good reasons. To preserve confidentiality, only the writer's first name is noted, unless he/she has waived confidentiality. Respondents are generally notified when we add their comments to this section.
PRO Prostitution
CON Prostitution
"While I feel that prostitution is morally wrong, it should be legalized so that the workers can be periodically checked for STDs more readily. There were a couple of instances during the Civil War when it was legalized locally. Doing so did manage to bring down the rate of STDs even then as the ladies had to be regularly checked by local doctors. Any of them who was found with an STD was locked up and not allowed to work in her 'profession' until cured.
Plus, at least it could be taxed like any other business is. If the clients had to give their real names, that might keep a few people away while at the same time keeping a client list that could be used in case a prostitute was found with an STD. Anyone who had visited her since her last 'clean' check-up could be contacted and advised as to their possible condition." Stephen, July 30, 2009
"First off I want to start off by saying I am truly offended by some of the ignorant comments made by such educated people on the con's side of things. How dare someone assume all prostitutes are sexually abused as children, addicted to drugs, disease infested, or forced into this occupation...
I have worked in the industry for eleven years now and was never forced to do a thing. I however feel forced to do things I don't wish to do at a normal job like having to answer to someone else or commit to a schedule, or when I have to appear at work even though my daughter might be sick... Trust and believe I have never felt enslaved in the adult industry. I have only felt empowered, financially secure, and it actually boosted my self confidence. We as women are always self conscious about our looks until you get in this industry and realise what men really want and what matters to them...
Furthermore, I feel only the women not tending to their man's needs are the ones keeping it illegal afraid their men might be the ones calling our services!!!" Alektra, June 24, 2009
"I find it ironic that it appears to be the Christian movement which seems to be so against prostitution. This is an issue regarding 'free choice'. If my memory serves correct, according to the Bible, there was a disagreement in Heaven between Lucifer and Christ as to whether or not mankind was to 'have' to do the will of God or have 'free choice' in their actions (judgment to be rendered later). It appears to me that any attempt to legislate (make illegal) the choices of consenting adults acts in the manner of Lucifer not Christ." Anonymous, May 4, 2009
"Yes, and prostitutes should be medically tested for venereal diseases, etc. periodically, perhaps once every month.
In addition, a special 'red light' district should be assigned to them in cities." Haig, Mar. 21, 2009
"Women have a right to sell sex in a safe & secure environment.
Women's safety is more important than moral judgments or flawed political ideology." Peter, Feb. 27, 2009
"I believe it would be best for the nation to legalize prostitution. The crime is only in the minds of the people who do not participate. They need to understand it doesn't matter whether it is legal or not, it will continue. If it is legalized, I can see there would be health restrictions, age requirements, and the criminal element would no longer have a hold. Why can't people see that?" Ruth, Feb. 9, 2009
"This term 'morality' is bankrupt - it has come to mean nothing but sexual repression. Instead it should mean 'do no harm'. Instead of forcing prostitution underground, we should systematically eliminate chances for harm (compulsion, violence, disease). Legalization is the first step.
Prostitution will never be wiped out, because it is the most natural and normal thing in the world. It exists in every society - even strict Christian, Muslim and Communist countries. Even monkeys trade bananas for sex! There is nothing inherently wrong with trading sex for money.
Monogamy is an utterly failed concept. Maybe it worked thousands of years ago, when we lived in tribes of 50-100 people and died by age 30 or 40, and where sex outside of marriage was punishable by death. Today the divorce rate is over 50%!!!! Nobody wants to only have sex with one person the rest of their life. How grim is that?
If we want to keep families together for the sake of children, we need to stop expecting men to behave like women. Most women are happy enough with one sex partner for life (often they're happy enough without sex altogether). Most men are not. When women can accept that normal, healthy men need to screw around a little on the side, everyone will be much better off. Meaningless recreational sex is no reason to end a marriage and break up a child's home.
Focus on eliminating violence, disease, poverty and compulsion (and outdated 'morality') - not on banning prostitution." Tom, Dec. 16, 2008
"I am a prositute and I think it should be legalized. There would not be a need for pimps. A lot of girls have been doing this all their life. And why should it be illegal. Two adults choose to have intercourse and the girl just gets helped out. It's not a scam, just a way to help someone out. It really makes a difference!!!" Angela, June 19, 2008
"I think prostitution should be legalized because some people need that job because the government won't give them a job whether or not they have a college degree. Some of them have kids that they need to provide for so if the government doesn't like it they should start providing jobs for them." Tiffany, Mar. 13, 2008
"I believe prostitution should be legalized for the safety and well-being of the women/men involved." Christi, Feb. 20, 2008
"Thank you for providing a 'voice' for those who choose to take the opportunity. I'm 72 yrs. of age; female. And I am totally in favor of the 'right to choose'. For me, these few words are sufficient: 'WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY.' Taking extenuating circumstances into consideration, of course is very important. But at the end of life's road if it becomes more than what we choose to travel -- then the words in quotation marks above say it all.Thank you for the great website, and the opportunity to voice my opinion. Good wishes to you all." Arlene, Dec. 12, 2007
"I think prostitution should be legalized.
If a man wants sexual satisfaction bad enough to be willing to pay for it, and a woman wants money bad enough to give him that satisfaction in exchange for said money, that should be nobody else's business but their own! As long as both participants are consenting adults, and understand the risks they are taking, I feel everyone not directly involved should keep their noses out of it, and mind their own business!" Jim, Feb. 2, 2008
"Legislation of morality is never the right course. Laws need to be made only to protect, not to dictate. The laws against prostitution actually do MORE harm than good. People will just become criminals because the behavior won't stop; the behavior just becomes a crime. There actually would be less crime with legalization, more protection with less ability to take advantage of that which people will do anyway." Jan, Jan. 19, 2008
"Prostitution should be made legal. There is no reason why it shouldn't, as long as it is limited by fair conditions and terms; a woman's body is HER body and no one else's, therefore she should be able to do with it what she pleases. If prostitution were decriminalized it would be fair to require that all prostitutes have frequent medical check-ups by sufficient doctors to prevent the spread of STIs. People forcing women and children into the trade could be decreased dramatically because the prostitutes that voluntarily worked could report it to authorities without having to worry about revealing themselves." Christine, Nov. 18, 2007
"Prostitution should be decriminalized. The only restriction should be age related. Why should consenting adults not be allowed to engage in agreed upon transactions that are victimless?" Eric, Nov. 17, 2007
"As an adult entertainer/escort (by independent choice) I fully support legalizing prostitution. I believe that by legalizing prostitution the women who are independent providers by choice wouldn't have to fret over being 'caught' or visited by Law Enforcement. It would also allow the community to locate the prostitutes who are being forced to do so either by their situation or by another person.
Prostitution is a victimless crime!!!
There are many other things that have been legalized on the sole basis of 'women's rights' (i.e. abortion, birth control, anonymous new-born drop off spots etc). These things have been allowed because women have the right to do what they wish to themselves (particularly their bodies) so it seems just a bit hypocritical to keep prostitution illegal."
Carmen Smythe, adult entertainer and escort, Oct. 31, 2007
"If it's legal in politics, should it not be legal in all other relationships? People have the freedom and the right, regardless of 'government' opinion to do with their bodies whatever they so choose." Anthony, Oct. 9, 2007
"There are hundreds of millions of women in the world who get paid for prostituting and live by the income. The paradox is we see and know its existence but fail to recognize it. Whether we recognize it or not we must live with it because these women have a right to live and they do not have any other best alternative to what they are doing. Unless we can change it we better legalize it as a genuine business and respect those who do this business." Anonymous, Sep. 29, 2007
"Using resources on prostitutes and drug offenders to prosecute and jail them is an extreme waste in so many ways. There has to be some sanity somewhere." Thomas, Aug. 14, 2007
"What no one seems to care about is the guys who women do not find attractive enough to sleep with them. What about us? I'm fat, lazy, insecure, I'm not being funny here just honest. I feel a prostitute's job is to have sex with guys who can't get laid (by a CUTE woman) for free. I think it is cruel to guys like me to have to either remain celibate, or have to constantly worry about getting caught and arrested. Why does no one seem to care about the guys who can't get sex any other way?" Anonymous, Aug. 8, 2007
"I think that there should be a distinction between forced and voluntary prostitution. Nobody should be forced by violence or threat to prostitute himself.... On the other side if people choose freely to prostitute themselves in order to gain money or for whatever other reason I think nobody has the right to decide in their place..." Ralph, May 22, 2007
"I have living examples of women inducted as prostitutes in legal brothels in Australia and other advanced nations, subjected to inhumane treatment and conditions having the most undignified living, and no legal protection... By legalising there will be free abduction of our daughters and sisters." Ramesh, Oct. 17, 2009
"People confuse the term 'legal' as being the same as stopping women from being arrested for prostitution. It's not - the term actually means that you are for the brothel system. So if you were to say you think prostitution should be 'legal' in Nevada for example - you're saying you're for brothels being allowed to open and operate. I do not think installing brothels is a solution for the men and women in the sex industry. If you 'decriminalize' prostitution - while it means no one gets arrested for it - it also means the sex worker still has no protections under the law or services provided them when they need exit services.
There are no easy answers - but if you 'abolish' prostitution - then you pave the way for them to receive support and exit services they desperately need. What I'm for is the day that a prostitute can file a rape charge and not have a judge reduce it to a theft charge because he feels prostitutes can't be raped." Jody, Apr. 28, 2009
"Are you crazy! Prostitution is not a relatively harmless act or job! These women say that they don't mind it because fools like you make them believe that there is no other way. You don't know who you're messing with. These women are people just like you bastards. How dare you post pro lists about reasons to continue prostitution!" Anonymous, Feb. 7, 2009
"Legalizing would complicate more administrative problems, increase crime many fold including rampant corruption amongst the enforcement agencies especially in countries with multi-racial communities. Not a single female likes to indulge in prostitution willingly albeit for occasional compulsions. It should have wider opinion from females." Ramesh, Dec. 3, 2008
"I am concerned about what message we are sending to our children. What will happen to increased drug, crime, and disease rates? What about peer pressure for teens? It is an unhealthy way to make money for everyone involved. Law enforcements are paid to do their job and it means protecting everyone. Just because a governor wants to do it legally, doesn't mean they should legalize it or just because some call girl claims it to be positive. Why not support other ways for people to make money and keep them from turning to prostitution. This is so wrong! I don't want my daughters to wind up in this mess!" Margaret, Apr. 10, 2008
"I think a lot of people tend to forget about the spouses, partner, etc. (both male and female) of these people using prostitutes...as victims of this crime as well...
What I don't understand are those prostitutes or strippers (online or not) who agree to be what they are as a form of 'work' or 'job' when there are other things available for them...These men and women don't seem to realize they HURT other people by doing their 'job'. They are partners in destroying people's lives and families and perpetuate this stupidity and addiction...They can't grasp the concept that they may feel there is no victim there, but you know what there are - broken families, broken hearts, hurt feelings and lifelong suffering of STDs of the partners..." Clarisa, Mar. 25, 2008
"I think prostitution shouldn't be legalized! It's a ridiculous idea to start with. In my English 1102 class we're writing positions essays, and I choose this topic because I feel that if the government were to ever make this legal it's like saying to the world it's okay to be a prostitute! I mean what would that say to the kids today when we're suppose to be setting an example...In taxing it like it's a career, is our society that desperate for money that it is willing to stoop so low to get it?" Teecara, Mar. 12, 2008
"Prostitution may be a trade or profession, and to legalize it would encourage more people to go into the profession and more people to seek their services. What would be the impact of that on family as we traditionally know it?...There are arguments on both sides of the coin but I believe that in the end, the one who gains from the boom in customers is the one who would be exposed to more abuses and pain...
It is bad enough that this profession still exists, but to legalize it may also be compared to legalizing drugs and products of that type, and anyone who wants it can have it with no legal/moral consequences.
Who would be proud to say he or she is a prostitute, or that their child or spouse is a prostitute? Would legalizing the profession make it less dishonorable? I think not." Vera, Feb. 14, 2008
"The only obstacle as whether to legalize it or not is the question of morality and the religious perspective. Prostitution and adultery have always been like two faces of one coin; both require and result from a lack of loyalty to one single partner, either in wedlock or out of it.
The examples of how religion looks at it are explicit in all Heavenly faiths, and to sanction this particular aspect of all cultures without regard to the moral and religious considerations would be an outright violation to all that keeps societies morally intact." Elizus, Dec. 24, 2007
"Prostitution is sexual slavery, sexual fascism, ripping profits from the vulnerable bodies of those who were commonly brutalized as children. Children and women have always been trafficked by bullies who seek to legalize their merciless barbarism. In fact, all prostitution is forced. For no healed human being would willingly serve as a garbage dump for every selfish, vulgar, and heartless boor passing through town." Judith Reisman, PhD, President of the Institute for Media Education and Science Advisor to the California Protective Parents Association, Oct. 2, 2007
NOT CLEARLY PRO OR CON Prostitution
"Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness. Leviticus 19:29." Becky, Sep. 4, 2009
"If you want to make any better changes on it [prostitution], look at Sweden and Norway where it's not illegal to sell sex but it's illegal to buy. With that men will think twice in approaching a woman with the intention to take money or advantage of her work. As a woman you have the right and freedom to contact the authorities as you wish.
Come on America, bring some real change on your small, pathetic, ignorant mentality." Michelle, Apr. 2, 2009
"My daughter was 21 when she was violently murdered. She was a prostitute. I did not think much of it, she seemed happy, she had only been involved since 2003...I thought it was ok, if she enjoyed it. She made good money in the beginning. Then she became hooked on the drugs and it became another story. She needed the work on the streets to get the drugs.
She went to prison for awhile, who knows for what, and when she got out, low and behold she was released back to the same area!!...Within 3 weeks she was a murder victum, just another statistic. In October 2007 I had learned that her stepfather of 12 years had molested her!! My God, she was only 2 years old when he came into her life, I just never got it. So ultimately, she did not choose to be what she had become, she was just a statistic, like so very many children before her.
If someone chooses to be a prostitute on their own and does not have the stigma of being molested as a child....then that is fine, but how many does that actually happen for??...I always believed that everyone had a choice and if that is what they wanted, who cares?? But since my baby has been involved, and I know why she was involved, does anyone really make the choice freely on their own?" Mary, Dec. 23, 2008
