Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

is there and 'official' feminist view on prostitution? and what is it?

183 replies

ohnoitshimagain · 27/12/2013 09:48

hi, just signed up and want to get to the bottom of this issue

ok, I'm sure there's not an official view as such, but how about a consensus or just your own personal view on this topic

  1. Should prostitution be fully legalised including brothels?

I believe it should in the modern day, because of freedom

and I'm talking here about female prostitutes and male clients

hope to hear some responses, thanks, btw I"m a man

OP posts:
pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 03:08

"the IUSW is not a feminist organisation and Brooke Magnanti is not a feminist"

maybe not, but they are sex workers.

"I support the decriminalisation of all sellers in prostitution."

Selling of sexual services is already legal in the UK.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 28/12/2013 03:08

How do you define "feminist"? Let OP (a young man) decide for himself. At what point is "a different pov" dangerous?

WhentheRed · 28/12/2013 02:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 28/12/2013 02:27

And, just for fun, @banfreebies also #banfreebies. Very, very witty.

pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 02:23

Also Laura Lee (sex worker for 20+ years and campaigner for the rights of sex workers):
@GlasgaeLauraLee

"whorephobia" a twitter account shared by several sex workers to highlight abuse sex workers face:
@whorephobia

and International Union of Sex Workers:
@IUSW_ORG

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 28/12/2013 02:11

If you genuinely are who/what you say you are, you would be well advised to follow folks like
Dr Brooke Magnanti
@bmagnanti
and
Maggie McNeill
@Maggie_McNeill on Twitter, follow their links, "hear" their voices. You won't hear them here.

Original poster
ohnoitshimagain · 28/12/2013 01:45

änd how about the female sex workers who are neither poor nor addicts, shouldn't they be allowed to sell sex?

Where is the exploitation in this case?

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnoitshimagain · 28/12/2013 01:41

when wrote 'Sex within prostitution is sex for the purpose of gratifying men, without regard to the woman. The woman's desires are irrelevant. It is man pleasing sex. That is not a definition of sex I will ever condone.'

ok, that may well be the case but how about the 'freedom of the woman to choose' , IOW - Freedom of Choice?

She need not sell her body if she does not wish to.

At the same time, do you agree or disagree with freedom to choose an abortion or not?

Because that begs the next question - why can a woman not choose to sell sexual favors, but CAN have her fetus terminated?

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnoitshimagain · 28/12/2013 01:35

Fiscal cliff wrote 'What Are your motives OP?
Are you writing a paper?
You sound very young'

yes, I am fairly young (19), and want to get to the bottom of this debate, especially from a woman's point of view -

I"d also like to look at the 'freedom' angle, from male and female perspectives.

Why shouldn't a woman be allowed to sell, or a man be allowed to buy, as I thought that was the foundation stone of liberal democracy (as long as consent is given).

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnoitshimagain · 28/12/2013 01:32

some posters have mentioned 'reducing demand' - well, how is that actually possible?

Making it illegal will not reduce demand at all, as men will always want sex.

It hasn't worked with drugs so why should it work with vice?

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnoitshimagain · 28/12/2013 01:30

one holy cow wrote 'Sex is human nature, sex for money isn't.'

That's a very broad statement, so can you give some more details on this?

OP posts:
pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 00:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

WhentheRed · 28/12/2013 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 00:21

If poverty and drug addiction are what "drives" women to prostitution how come there are so many high class escorts who clearly are not addicted to drugs or in poverty?

pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 00:20

"buy women"? You mean buy the services sex workers provide?

And do we need to criminalize anyone if it takes places between consenting adults?

Thants · 28/12/2013 00:13

We need to improve things vastly for women in terms of poverty and drug addiction these are the things that drive women to prostitution. Help illegal immigrants and trafficked women work and protect then not criminalise them.
We need to be much harder on men that visit prostitutes. There is no fear at the moment! Men need to know that if they buy women they will be punished.

pokerface1 · 28/12/2013 00:01

I know feminists want the purchase of sexual services illegal and I know legalization and decriminalization are not the same thing.

My point is this view does not appear to be shared much by the sex workers themselves.

WhentheRed · 27/12/2013 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 27/12/2013 22:54

Journalist ?

Bog off

pokerface1 · 27/12/2013 22:50

Ideally though, in the perfect world, there would be no drugs or alcohol either. But look what happened when the USA tried making alcohol illegal (here's the hint- the mafia made a fortune, grew in power and control and had a ball).

Some things are always going to continue regardless what the law is.

Sex work is never going to end. You can kid yourself it is possible to "abolish" it and support dangerous laws, or you can listen to what the sex workers say and help to make it safer for all.

pokerface1 · 27/12/2013 22:44

Feminists generally believe prostitution (or at least the purchase of sexual services) should be illegal.

Sex workers themselves generally want prostitution (buying and selling of sexual services) to be legal and decriminalized.

CaptChaosGlitteryBaubles · 27/12/2013 19:24

What When said.

Although, I have my bingo card ready.

FloraFox · 27/12/2013 18:24

Excellent post when. That gets right to the heart of feminist thinking about prostitution.

WhentheRed · 27/12/2013 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FiscalCliffRocksThisTown · 27/12/2013 13:36

What Are your motives OP?

Are you writing a paper?

You sound very young