And hoping this starts a lively discussion.
I was listening to an NPR report about prostitution (the particulars aren’t vital to this conversation), and was struck again by a thought I’ve had for a long time.
What’s the difference between a porn actor or actress and a prostitute? More specifically, why do people go to jail for one, and the other is a perfectly acceptable form of entertainment?
From a strictly intellectual perspective, I don’t see a great amount of difference.
The differences, I think, are ones that society has created. We’ve given porn a certain amount of legitimization. There are contracts, the people involved are protected from the seedier elements of the world of prostitution.
Why is that?
I think it’s because we think that porn stars only sleep with each other…where prostitutes sleep with our husbands/boyfriends.
The technical argument is probably that the porn actors are being paid for their “acting,” (ha) not for the sex per se. Also, they’re generally paid by a third party who is not partaking in the sex, i.e. one actor is not paying the other for sex. Which, yeah, is splitting hairs, but that’s what the law is about 😉
I’ve never really understood why prostitution is illegal. Why not legalize it and regulate it and make it safer and make tax money from it? People are going to partake regardless of the legalities.
And yeah, I don’t get why porn is legal and prostitution isn’t.
Will you go to the prom with me in San Dimas? We will have a most excellent time.
they have contracts because it is legal not the other way around. really it all ought to be legal and regulated.
here from Brians
I never really thought about it, but I do agree that prostitution should be legalized.
Just read an article about a teen in california who made a couple hundred GRAND selling pornographic material of himself made with his webcam. Child porn is illegal, of course, but it might be hard to explain to a family that can’t make ends meet exactly “why” this is wrong. Wonder how many families are using their kids this way. The teen’s online “friends” helped him set up a Paypal account etc.
Just read an article about a teen in california who made a couple hundred GRAND selling pornographic material of himself made with his webcam. Child porn is illegal, of course, but it might be hard to explain to a family that can’t make ends meet exactly “why” this is wrong. Wonder how many families are using their kids this way. The teen’s online “friends” helped him set up a Paypal account etc.
Porn in the number one industry onthe internet.