Prostitution is often called “the world’s oldest profession,” because sex work has always existed in some capacity. In the United States, prostitution is illegal in every state except for Nevada, where it’s only permitted at licensed brothels. Some states are working toward decriminalizing the selling of sex so that only purchasers can be prosecuted. Of course, even though it’s illegal, it doesn’t mean people don’t participate in sex work all over the country.
Although it’s a taboo topic, prostitution is a subject of fascination for many people. On Reddit, someone asked, “If the laws were to allow it, what are your thoughts on having sex in exchange for money?” Women from all over responded, giving their honest takes on being paid for sex. Here’s what they said:
Safety should be the priority.
“prostitution is never going away. neither is abortion. both should be made safe for women. there should be unions that protect sex workers, and abortion should be accessible for everyone. making them illegal doesn’t stop them, it just harms women. maybe i’m too logical but it’s the truth.” –shinebrightlike
It can be lucrative and enjoyable.
“I enjoyed it when I did it. Best money per hour I’ll probably ever make. And genuinely I felt more respected in that job being my own boss than i have at any other job bar 1.
That being said, I’m visiting Amsterdam. And seeing the women in the windows does give me an uneasy feeling. Like they’re action figures, wanting you to come and try them.
I’m still trying to reconcile my feelings of knowing I enjoyed the job, in the context I did it in. And knowing the gut feelings of sadness I have towards scantily clad women propped up in a window waiting for someone to ‘purchase/rent’ them.” –Sophia13913
Decriminalization is the answer.
“Personally, I think prostitution should be decriminalized. No one wants to have sex with strangers and put themselves at risk if they weren’t desperate. Instead maybe we can treat it as a job, ensure rights of sex workers and see the environment is as safe and healthy as possible instead of punishing people who are poor, disadvantaged and cornered.” –StopthinkingitsMe
I wish the industry didn’t exist.
“I would neither do it, nor support it. I wish the sex industry didn’t exist actually, as it is full of abuse, exploitation and is centered on the objectification of women. The whole existence of sex work comes from a patriarchal way of thinking that sex is something owed to men. So if the individual can’t find a person who’d WANT to share bedroom with them, they can always pay to have their desires fulfilled. That way they don’t need to reflect on themselves and question why they can’t find a suitable person and maybe try to change. No, they can find pleasure in seeing their partner getting hurt and think that’s perfectly fine because there is always someone who would agree to do it for proper amount of money.” –Plane_Regret8909
It objectifies women.
“Nope. It objectifies women, not empowers them. It’s bad long term for everyone involved. I say that as a woman that truly cares for other women & wants to see them & their mental wellbeing thrive. We are so much better than that & should carry more dignity because we are worth being loved and cherished in better settings.” –tobaccocandle
No judgment.
“I would never do it myself and I think selling and buying women’s bodies is degrading. However, I do not judge prostitutes. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.” –ThrowRA_Sodi
Women need more control over it.
“I think it’s only good when people are not desperate. Otherwise they can be coerced, taken advantage of or have their boundaries pushed beyond what they wanted to do.
Also women need to be able to chose their clients. They need the ability to turn down clients.
And a way to make sure there’s no sex trafficking.” –uniquelyfifi
There’s too much stigma.
“I’ve done it — in the context of having a sugar daddy. it was awesome, I had fun, he had fun, and it was a lot of money for very little work. it got me through a difficult transition period where I didn’t have a job or health insurance for a few months. I wouldn’t be opposed to doing it again if I needed the money. the only thing I didn’t like about it was putting my personal dating life on hold during the sugar relationship. this wasn’t a necessity per se, but I didn’t feel right about dating while also actively having a sugar daddy.
I’ve only disclosed this part of my life to a small number of people due to the negative stigma. I don’t feel shame about it, but I know it would change the way some people see me.” –felis_catus_
It should be legal.
“Decriminalize it, or even make it legal. Ideally, it will give the workers protection, cut out the pimps. Prostitutes and those who engage with them will always exist – legalization would just make it safer for the workers. I’m guessing its pretty hard to report a rape or a robbery as a sex worker…” –TheAlmightyFuzzy
I fully support sex workers.
“Would never ever ever ever ever ever ever do it, but I’d be fully in support.
As others have said, sex work will never go away, and in my opinion it’s not inherently harmful. All of the terrible and heartbreaking things that often come with it in our world come as a result of sex work having to be shady and informal. If it was established and dignified and legal and regulated and audited and formal, things would be a lot lot lot better for everyone other than pimps and abusers.” –silam39
Your body, your choice.
“When no one is forcing you and it’s something you genuinely choose to do of your own free will, there’s absolutely no problem with it. It’s your body, and you’re the only one who gets to make decisions about it. If it’s truly what you want, then it’s completely okay to do it.” –sherylbaby
It shouldn’t be celebrated.
“It shouldn’t be encouraged or glamorized, but it will never go away. The pimps are a huge part of the problem and they should be eliminated from the equation entirely. It should be safe and the workers and those serviced should be protected. A healthy degree of shame should remain associated with the work and those seeking it, as it is not a respectable practice. Acknowledging the reality of its inevitability doesn’t mean you should celebrate it.” –Z00tNT00tN
We should treat it like any other job.
“Sex work should be legalized. It should be regulated. It should be treated just as any other job and it should have laws that protect the workers from workplace harassment.
Sex work is not disgusting. And those who participate in it are not disgusting.
People, even many women, think that only the helpless will participate in it. Well that’s mostly true for a society like my country where it’s illegal and women [and] children are trafficked and the police, state n society dehumanize the sex workers.
Criminalizing prostitution or pornography helps absolutely nobody. Not even the women who were trafficked into it.
Legalize it. Decriminalize it. That will give people their right. And when people have rights, they will have dignity. This will help the women who have been trafficked into the system get out one day.
And it will also open up a legal way to earn n live independently for women who would like this work. Yes, women can like sex work. People also get into this for just curiosity and not always because they were helpless and then they grow to like what they do n even flourish in it.
If people can’t wrap their heads around how any woman can like this…well that’s on the people who can’t understand and not on women who are into this.” –ChikyuNoOmiyage
