Demeaning to women or a legitimate career choice? iVillagers discuss their views on the world's oldest profession

• It's sad and degrading
• They provide a needed service
• Equal opportunities?
• Do men see women as potential prostitutes?
• It should be a choice
• Sex should be kept between couples
• It's high-time we legalised it

With experts estimating that there are over 80,000 prostitutes in the UK (90 per cent are women), this huge industry generates controversy like no other. Currently, lone prostitutes can offer sex from flats or other premises without breaking the law. However, recent government plans to allow two prostitutes to work together in small brothels with a receptionist/maid are being considered. They hope these measures will make prostitution a safer industry for women by allowing them to work in groups.

Yet this is a notoriously difficult industry to regulate; how can this law protect women who are forced into the industry against their will? What of the moral issues? iVillagers debate the issue.

It's sad and degrading
'Strippers, pole-dancers, lap-dancers, prostitutes - what's the difference? They are all treating themselves like pieces of meat. Just like the men who watch them are doing. It's sad and degrading.'
katie4385

They provide a needed service
'I would argue against that. There are many different reasons why women do these jobs. At the end of the day, they are providing a service. For men who want it. I don't believe the women are degrading themselves. In fact, I'd say the opposite!

You could argue that prostitutes, in particular, provide a very important service. Did you read in the paper recently about the elderly gentleman in a care home who had asked for a prostitute because he still desperately wanted sex? If there are women happy to provide this service to men who need or want it, what's the problem?'
scatalie2004

Equal opportunities?
'Did you know that the only profession in which women earn more than men is prostitution? While I'm not advocating prostitution, I make no judgements on individuals who engage in it, (indeed, I have a friend who was an escort girl). Isn't that a great leveller and very telling of our true 'progress' in terms of equal opportunities?'
stargirl0412

Do men see women as potential prostitutes?
I live in Spain and walk past prostitutes when I go to the shops. I feel sorry for them, many are forced to sell their bodies for sex or work in lap-dancing clubs run by local gangsters. I've even been propositioned myself. A man stopped his car and thought I was a working girl. I had bags of shopping! Does this mean men see all women as potential prostitutes? That's how this incident made me feel.'
costabonkers

It should be a choice
'I think the only situation where prostitution is degrading is when a woman is not in complete control of the situation and it's not absolutely her choice. For example, to support a drugs habit. As for not respecting yourself enough, I'm sure there are women who do it because they don't have enough respect for themselves. However, you can't say this is the case for EVERY woman. In essence, for those women who have made the choice to support themselves in that way, why is it offensive?

If men didn't take advantage of this service, it wouldn't be needed. Therefore, perhaps men need to suppress the sexual urges that cause them to WANT to either go and watch lap-dancers or visit a prostitute. In fact, if anyone is being degraded, it's men for not being able to 'control' themselves.'
nat99

Sex should be kept between couples
'Prostitution is disgusting. It breaks up relationships and promotes adultery. I believe that sex should be kept strictly in the bedroom between a loving couple. Sex is a wonderful thing between two people who are in love. It shouldn't be paraded for people, usually men, to gawp at or be bought and sold like a commodity. Women who engage in this business should develop some self-respect.'
sabr

It's high-time we legalised it
'I think it's an absolute shame that people still look down their noses at people who provide services of a sexual nature, whether that be stripping, erotic dancing, prostitution or escorts.

Women have been doing this for as long as time itself.

I think we need to become more like Holland, have sex health visits to brothels and a safe place for prostitutes to get regular health checks. It's in our nature to be attracted to the opposite sex (or the same sex), so why not take advantage and sell it?

If selling your body is wrong, wouldn't modelling be wrong too? Sex sells in more ways than one...'
toby_1_kenobi