MovieChat Forums > The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) Discussion > Legalizing prostitution ...?

Legalizing prostitution ...?

posted 17 years ago by scott-sw
25 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if the movie and play were statements to legalize prostitution or not, but this does bring up the question. Prostitution is legal in Nevada. That way it is regulated and the criminal element of pimps are taken out of the picture. Also, like in Nevada, girls would have to go through health screenings and the houses are inspected. If a woman is abused in this case, they could file a report without fear of being arrested for prostitution.
To me, though, the real problem is this: Should people be penalized for what two consenting adults agree to in the privacy of a home? There is no one being hurt.
It's called freedom. Yes, with freedom comes responsibility. But sometimes freedom has an ugly or unwholesome side--and that side exists. Ultimately, you cannot be free to do something unless you are free to not do something.
I agree minors could not participate in such activity. And there are moral implications. It may seem immoral to some people, and that is their peroggative.
But just because something is immoral does not neccessarily make it illegal.
So what does everyone think about it?

[–] NukeyShay 17 years ago

All consentual sex is prostitution in one way or another ;)

Unless you are doing it alone.

[–] scott-sw 17 years ago

Hey ... how did you know I was doing it alone?

[–] tambourine_man36 17 years ago

I'm not usually the one for more government intervention but I think in this case, the spread of STDs and other diseases transmitted through prostitutes could be regulated better. If it were legal, I'm hoping that wouldn't encourage young girls to grow up and become whores. :) The libertarian in me wants to say that I'm morally against prostitution but I don't think it comes down to a question of legality.

[–] martand 17 years ago

Thats the most ridiculous argument. The spread of the STDs!!!! For the same reason, you should make bar sluts illegal too. But you cant do that because thats what is keeping a lot of men from strangling pretty chicks on their way home from a hard day's work. And why the hell would you care if some woman wants to become a whore? Stop being a coconut, theres nothing wrong with it. The main reason it should be legal is that, god has given women free will, and a vagina. So stop complaining and shut the F up.

[–] hayesism 17 years ago

Piss off, libertarianism would be FOR the legalization of prostitution, just as it is for drug use. Freedom overrides any rigid moral institutions, is one of its basic clauses. I'm so sick of people equating libertarianism with traditional conservatism; they're both right wing but they're markedly different.

[–] philfeeley 8 years ago

All consentual sex is prostitution in one way or another ;)

Nonsense.

[–] bobbybrdwy 17 years ago

im glad the Aids virus can been noticed by a brief inspection and is cured by a 3 minute shower... my mind is at ease

[–] hayesism 17 years ago

AIDS isn't a virus, numbnuts.

[–] corusca 17 years ago

No, but HIV is, which causes it. Don't be an ass.

[–] moviegeek71 16 years ago

Prostitution is legal ... I had to drive about 50 minutes ... They inspect you ... make you take a 3 minute shower ... protection is used ... take another shower ... girls get medical checks

WOW!!! That is a lot and I mean a whole lot of effort for pseudo-sex. No, prostitution should not be legal because the girls and the customers are both victims.

Here, try this in your own town, it's a lot easier:

1) make eye contact
2) smile
3) say hello
4) introduce yourself

...you will be very surprised when you learn that girls find confidence very attractive, give it a shot!

[–] scott-sw 16 years ago

Let me play devil's advocate here.
How are the girl and the customer victims? I might concede if either is a minor, but if it's two consenting adults, how is there a victim?

[–] przgzr 16 years ago

1) make eye contact

...and she sees that you are ugly, more than 120kg overweight, less than 1m50 tall etc. Not to mention that you might be handicapped (without a leg or something, what makes you additionally attractive). Very good for the start, try it! Then let me know about next phases.

[–] jaimie-14 16 years ago

I agree with you scott-sw and for the reasons you gave except I don't see anything immoral in it. We tend to judge whether something is immoral by the Christian Bible but who says that is the final word? Prostitution has been around for thousands of years and nothing can make it go away.
"Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Auntie Mame

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] jefgg 12 years ago

Prostitution is NOT legal in Nevada. BROTHELS are legal in some counties in Nevada. What goes on in those brothels is a private matter as it should be. This is from wikipedia. Please click on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Nevada

Prostitution in the U.S. state of Nevada is notable for the fact that Nevada is the only U.S. state to allow legal prostitution, albeit only in the form of regulated brothels. Prostitution outside these licensed brothels is illegal under Nevada law.

The brothels are mainly situated in isolated rural areas, with Nevada's more heavily populated counties outlawing prostitution. The vast majority of Nevada's population lives in counties where all forms of prostitution are illegal.

[–] mpurvismattp 9 years ago

Any and all black market "vices" that involve two consenting adults, or where no parties are physically hurt or abused should and must be legalized. That includes drugs, pornography, guns, gambling and yes prostitution. When you make acts of "vice" illegal you just create a black market that crooks and gangsters will certainly and predictably exploit for their own financial benefit. Places in Nevada where prostitution is legal, Atlantic city and Las Vegas where gambling is legal, Washington, Colorado and my home state of Oregon where marijuana are legal, along with the mass legalization of alcohol after the obvious failures of prohibition in the early twentieth century have all had POSITIVE EFFECTS on society. All of these rational decisions enabled these "vices" to be taxed, regulated and made much safer. You just can't argue with the facts.

[–] 8 years ago

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