Prostitution

[mangomike]

Much has been discussed here about prostitution. While it's officially illegal in Thailand, it flourishes everywhere.
What would you do to wipe it out ?

[mangomike]

46 people have viewed this topic and no opinions.
I'm very disappointed.

[sally]

Hi ya

I wonder how many tourist are attracted to Thailand because they can find a girl? If the prostitution trade was wiped out, what effect would it have on Thailand's economy? Is the reason why it hasn't been wiped out?

I am not a fan of prostitution. I hate seeing older men with young girls On the other hand, how else can you escape poverty?

How would I wipe it out? My words would not be printable. lol

[blonde18]

But to escape poverty you must disrespect yourself by sleeping with strange men? I understand that they do it for money but what i don't understand is how can they see it as ok, and put themselves through it? Don't they feel awful later in life, or am i being to narrow minded about it....???

[DanD]

and how much money are we really talking about? If all prostitutes were in another form of 'employment' wouldn't they be generating just as much money?
Well, what do you think mike?

Cheers,
แดน

[sally]

Quote[/b] (blonde18 @ Oct. 13 2004,02:46)]But to escape poverty you must disrespect yourself by sleeping with strange men?

Maybe I am wrong to jump to the conclusion that they do it to escape from poverty. I don't think that addressing the poverty issue will bring the end of prostitution. Actually when you think about it, prostitution is the need of both the buyer and seller of sex and therefore poverty is not the cause. Prostitution is something which has been around for a very long time, and will always be. It happens all over the world, not just in Thailand.

Some people may just enjoy giving this type of service. Who has the right to deny someone doing something they enjoy?To many people, it is just a job, a job that they enjoy.
Notice how I say people and now not assume that prostitutes are just women. There are also many male prostitutes too. It is so easily to jump to conclusions without facing the facts.

Maybe the answer is not to wipe out prostitution, but instead to legalise it thus giving prostitutes protection from abuse and better access to health care.

[BigRed]

Well!
There are many arguments, for and against prostitution.
As Sally says, not just in Thailand, but all over the world.

I have talked to many Bar Girls in Bangkok, and although many of them do not like what they do for a living. The most important thing in life for them, is supporting their family.
In this I have nothing but admiration for them.

However, the fact that there is no other way out of poverty for these ladies, makes me ashamed that we, in the relatively rich, West are happy to boost our economies at the expense of the less well off nations of the world.

Free trade is not necessarily Fair trade.

[SiamJai]

In the face of the impossible, think of the smallpox virus. A deadly microbe that has practically been eradicated from the face of the Earth. Not too long ago, just mentioning something like this to the scientific community would have been received with disbelief.

How does this pertain to prostitution? While almost everyone would agree that it is a deplorable condition that's been around long, few believes it is possible to done away with it completely. Well, I am one of those few, for the reasons mentioned above. I strongly believe in a future where the sexual needs of a privileged but mentally deprived minority can not be imposed on people of vulnerable socioeconomic background.

How could this be done? I believe that education holds part of the key to success. Education that is targeted to suit the unique needs of the exploited. This would give them a chance to stand on their own feet and live an independent life. The other part of the solution is the creation of good-paying jobs that'd accept this newly educated group of people. I believe that most prostitutes did not really choose what they are doing, but found themselves in that position due to the lack of alternatives that'd allow them the same or better earning standards. The solution I sketched above would take care of this problem.

This, of course, is all easier said than done. In fact, I am sure I am not saying anything new here. Social think-tanks have surely figured this much out by now. The difficult part is actually getting it done - especially expanding the current job market to accept the new influx of educated workers.

... I guess the realization of the solution is still in the future. But this problem cannot be taken lightly, for the time spent thinking is also time that's running out for Thailand's vulnerable youth that needs to be saved - now.

[mangomike]

I would like to expand a little on seekers excellent response.
First, lets take a look at what motivates these girls to join the degrading sex industry.

Most of these girls come from poor backgrounds in the north in which they were forced to quit school for lack of money.
Working 10 or more hours a day in the fields doesn't pay that much and without at least a highschool education, their prospects for a good job in the city or factory are dim.
In Thai culture, children are expected to support their parents as they get older. Now, this is not a bad thing, it's one of the better qualities of Thai culture lacking in the west.

OK, now to briefly go over what seeker said about education.
More money needs to be spent on schools. Education in the government schools needs to be free so all can attend and finish highschool.
University education needs to be subsidized more and scholarships made available to needy poor kids.

Foreign as well as domestic investment in the north and south's less developed areas must be nurtured.
Perhaps businesses could be granted incentives to expand into these areas.

As seeker stated, these solutions are far off in the future.
The govt. has many pressing problems to deal with and education and other social services always seem to take a low priority. Lets hope this gets turned around somehow.

[Makiy0]

I agree that Seeker's solution is a wise one, however, it does not apply to one and all that is involved with the industry. I think Seeker's prescibed solution through education and job creation only applies based on the assumption that all in the industry are not there by choice. Let me quote an example: Person A is by nature a very lazy person. A decides to quit school and enter the industry to earn easy money. A earns $X a month. Person is then through Seeker's solution educated about alternate choices and trained with certain skills. A job in that skill will net A $X-Y. A still chooses to go back to the industry because the hours are more flexible and the job is so much easier and maybe A enjoys performing A's job...

I believe that not everyone in the industry is forced to be there. Quite a number choose it as their livelihood. As long as there are people who choose to be in this line, Seeker's solution would never be completely effective.

For me, I say the best solution is a legal clamp down with severe penalties for both consumer and provider throughout the world.

Note: The industry I am constantly referring to does not plainly mean prostitution but includes pornography production, "unclean" massage and escort services, etc...