I've been thinking about this for most of the summer because I had a chance encounter with two ladies who were basically prostituting themselves to survive. I know, you're saying yeah right, chance encounter (nudge-nudge, wink-wink, tripped and fell into them).
Incident 1: An 18 year old female walking down a neighborhood street sobbing her eyes out in the rain. I had just left a dental appointment. I pulled over and asked if I could help and she asked for a ride. Knew she was in big trouble, what 18yr old female willingly gets into a 60yr old mans car. She stated that she had been kicked out of her parents house and needed a lift to her friends house. She had only the clothes she was wearing and a cell phone, no money. She admitted that she had been kicked out because 1) she wouldn't get a job, 2) she was addicted to meth and 3) she was trading sex for drugs, money, food and shelter. During the ride she admitted that she thought she might be pregnant, might have hep c and might have HIV/STD's. I offered to take her to a local treatment facility ( the one free one we have in the city) but she refused. I got her parents name and number and let them know where she had gone.
Incident 2: My wife and I were leaving the casino and saw a woman crying out by the parking structure. We asked if we could help. Again, only wanted a ride. She admitted that she was prostituting for money, free lance (no pimp or service). The john had stiffed her for the money and ruffed her up. She didn't want to call the police or report the incident to the casino. She was a single mom working to pay for herself and her share of child support. She wouldn't say why she was not with the child. We dropped her off at a very seedy motel.
So, I've been wondering if prostitution were legalized/decriminalized would either one of these women been in a better position in life. My gut says maybe yes. Wouldn't necessarily help with the meth addiction. Could very well have helped with the health issues, money issues, violence issues........... I'm not saying that legalization will necessarily stop illegal prostitution activities.
I know that some of this was covered about a year ago in a thread called Legalization. Thought I'd ask for updated opinions. Attached is a pro/com website for the issue.
http://prostitution.procon.org/view.reso...eID=000115
Incident 1: An 18 year old female walking down a neighborhood street sobbing her eyes out in the rain. I had just left a dental appointment. I pulled over and asked if I could help and she asked for a ride. Knew she was in big trouble, what 18yr old female willingly gets into a 60yr old mans car. She stated that she had been kicked out of her parents house and needed a lift to her friends house. She had only the clothes she was wearing and a cell phone, no money. She admitted that she had been kicked out because 1) she wouldn't get a job, 2) she was addicted to meth and 3) she was trading sex for drugs, money, food and shelter. During the ride she admitted that she thought she might be pregnant, might have hep c and might have HIV/STD's. I offered to take her to a local treatment facility ( the one free one we have in the city) but she refused. I got her parents name and number and let them know where she had gone.
Incident 2: My wife and I were leaving the casino and saw a woman crying out by the parking structure. We asked if we could help. Again, only wanted a ride. She admitted that she was prostituting for money, free lance (no pimp or service). The john had stiffed her for the money and ruffed her up. She didn't want to call the police or report the incident to the casino. She was a single mom working to pay for herself and her share of child support. She wouldn't say why she was not with the child. We dropped her off at a very seedy motel.
So, I've been wondering if prostitution were legalized/decriminalized would either one of these women been in a better position in life. My gut says maybe yes. Wouldn't necessarily help with the meth addiction. Could very well have helped with the health issues, money issues, violence issues........... I'm not saying that legalization will necessarily stop illegal prostitution activities.
I know that some of this was covered about a year ago in a thread called Legalization. Thought I'd ask for updated opinions. Attached is a pro/com website for the issue.
http://prostitution.procon.org/view.reso...eID=000115
I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem.
