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Prostitution - the iVillage debate

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

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