Strippers, Prostitutes, and Respectability

[thesummerqueen]

All right, seriously: have at it.

I want to know why stripping, burlesque, prostitution, pornography and related activities are disreputable (or not).

I'm making a few assumptions (just to tidy things up):

We're talking about adults. No children (under 18) involved. I could be wrong but I think most if not all people on here would agree that minors don't belong there.

We're talking about legal activities: therefore, the legal prostitution that goes on in Vegas, and so forth. I realize that it's illegal in much of the world and that automatically puts a "disreputable" spin on it, so I want to go under the assumption that it's legal and hear reasons why it shouldn't be, or why any of it is a bad thing

I'd rather not hear it from a religious standpoint, simply because the vast majority of members on this board do not recognize a religious or divine authority.




Briefly, because I have to get home and make dinner, I'll tell you what I think:

I personally see no reason why any of these businesses should be illegal, and plenty of reasons why they should be allowed to exist and be regulated (mostly for health reasons). Sex has been found to be healthy for a variety of scientific reasons. In anecdotal terms, I know plenty of people who are perfectly willing to satisfy sexual urges with strangers but feel no need to foster close companionship with someone to do it. For example, perhaps they are in a point in their life where they are simply too busy to give another person the attention they need to have a real relationship, but do occasionally want sex. Flirting and sex are fun - and atmospheres that promote both create a natural high.

I've seen pole dancers and burlesque performers who are in ridiculously good physical condition - they take what they do and turn it into an art form, which is enjoyable with or without the sexual component.

I'm not trying to paint a rosy glow on what I know is still a dangerous occupation, but I think that much like drugs, all of these would benefit from people taking the taboo nature out of it and therefore offering prostitutes and strippers better protection and respect.

Some of these are not jobs I feel I could do. I do not like strangers touching me. But I also could not be a garbage person, or a waitress, or a call center tech (actually, I suck at customer service in any respect).

However, I don't disrespect anyone who does any of these jobs - in fact, most restaurants I frequent know I'll pay at least 20% because they're providing a service I damn well know I wouldn't/couldn't. I feel the same way about anyone working in a sex trade or sexually charged situation.

So enlighten me. Why is it disreputable to flaunt your body in a situation where that is expected and paid for? Is is any worse than the sexy pictures I might take - the less lewd ones I've even posted on this forum - for lovers? Aren't I still flaunting my body for someone I'm not married to? Why is selling sex a bad thing if the parties agree to the terms and safe practices are used? Where do we draw the line on what's appropriate and what's not? Is there an inability for people to realize that there's a brain behind the body?

I'm including men in this as well, by the way - they tend to get lost by the wayside when these discussions come up. People seem to only think of women.

[Minimalist]

Frankly, I think they are fine people.

Much better than bible-thumping assholes who walk around wagging their fingers at everything.

[Nine]

I don't see an issue with any of these professions. People are willing to buy the services and others willing to sell them. You hear of psychological issues with prostitution and pornography but they are mostly to do with the stigma of it. And most lines of work have there own health risks anyway.

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As far as respect same as any other form of work in my eyes.

[Anomalocaris]

They are not disreputable in my eyes.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Imo, prostitution is OK as long as it involves consenting adults and the prostitute is not forced or exploited. However, afaik the latter is the case in over a third of prostitution situations: the prostitutes are forced and/or exploited. And very often mentally and physically abused. And then it is of course plain slavery. I must stress, though, that the Johns – the customers – aren't aware of that in the majority of cases. If only because the girls do everything to hide it!

[Erinome]

My best friend, the one who died from AIDS, was a prostitute during his late teens/early twenties. That's actually how he caught AIDS. This was the early 90's when still little was known about AIDS. We discussed a few times, that if the sex trade had been legal and regulated, he might be alive and well today. He did it to support himself, and then the last 10 years of his life, he was a pimp for female prostitutes. He required all johns to wear condoms, and he protected his girls the best he could.

The only reason things like this are so taboo with some people is because of distinctions invented and imposed by human beings. It's ridiculous if you ask me, but maybe I'm biased.

I've never been extremely talented at pole dancing. The size of my natural breasts, and shortness of my arms and legs makes doing fancy stuff on the pole rather difficult, but I have had to keep in decent shape to keep doing it, so I feel it has benefited me in that way, so that's a good point.

Now that I'm 50 in stripper years, I mentor young girls about self-esteem. I have heard it said that strippers don't have any self-esteem. That's ridiculous. I've met strippers who had too much self-esteem, and strippers with none whatsoever. If we were to walk into a public school and talk to all the teachers who work there, I'm sure we'd find teachers with plenty of self-esteem, and teachers with none. People generally only see things how they want to see them, and no other way.

Sex, lust, wanting to see attractive people naked, that's all human nature. That's how I see it.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS-QgUi-2SY

I wanted to add this, because I think it's very cool.

[Shell B]

My opinion in a nutshell: I think it should be legal and I don't generally find it disreputable. However . . . I would rather work every waking hour than allow any woman in my family to do either.I simply don't think it is an ideal profession. Of course, I would rather them do that than starve. If it is within my power, though, neither would happen.

I'm old fashioned in some regards.

[thesummerqueen]

What if one of those women wanted to? I'm just wondering what your distaste in it is.

[Erinome]

Some people don't do it for the money. Some people do it because it's their art and they love it. I think whether it's an "ideal profession" is best judged by the person doing it. I know some people who wouldn't want to do anything else.

Just sayin'...

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And yes, I think sex can definitely be an art form. It is for me, and I'm not even a prostitute.

[Rokcet Scientist]

My best friend, the one who died from AIDS, was a prostitute during his late teens/early twenties. That's actually how he caught AIDS. This was the early 90's when still little was known about AIDS. We discussed a few times, that if the sex trade had been legal and regulated, he might be alive and well today. He did it to support himself, and then the last 10 years of his life, he was a pimp for female prostitutes. He required all johns to wear condoms, and he protected his girls the best he could.

The only reason things like this are so taboo with some people is because of distinctions invented and imposed by human beings. It's ridiculous if you ask me, but maybe I'm biased.

I've never been extremely talented at pole dancing. The size of my natural breasts, and shortness of my arms and legs makes doing fancy stuff on the pole rather difficult, but I have had to keep in decent shape to keep doing it, so I feel it has benefited me in that way, so that's a good point.

Now that I'm 50 in stripper years, I mentor young girls about self-esteem. I have heard it said that strippers don't have any self-esteem. That's ridiculous. I've met strippers who had too much self-esteem, and strippers with none whatsoever. If we were to walk into a public school and talk to all the teachers who work there, I'm sure we'd find teachers with plenty of self-esteem, and teachers with none. People generally only see things how they want to see them, and no other way.

Amen.

Sex, lust, wanting to see attractive people naked, that's all human nature. That's how I see it.

And no amount of criminalisation is going to make it go away. It'll only go underground. Hush-hush. Out of sight. Creating and increasing opportunities for crime and exploitation.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS-QgUi-2SY

I wanted to add this, because I think it's very cool.
[/quote]

That was a great performance. But I've seen even better! One on Youtube and one in the flesh, as it were. She was from the Ukraine. Frail, though toned, to look at, but as strong as an ox on that pole! It was breathtaking! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor...
You don't want to pick a fight with a girl like that!