Legalised Brothels - can this be a valid way for men to behave?

[adryley]

There are calls for brothels to be legalised to control the spread of sexual diseases, but won't this just make them an acceptable part of life? Surely this can't be a valid way for men to behave?

[Horse]

Why isn't this a 'valid' way for men to 'behave'? I would rather that those men & women who wish to buy or sell sex in this way be safe. It also ensures (as far as possible) the safety of their current /future loved ones. I would hope that any such measures recognise the equality in importance of the safety and prosperity of the women who HAVE to earn cash in this way.

[JohnPPotts]

In lots of parts of the UK, they effectively are. Where I am in Bristol, the Police won't prosecute brothelkeepers, but will prosecute women soliciting on street corners. As for whether this "should" happen, there are plenty more dangerous things that are permitted, eg. smoking, drinking, even driving a car - it's just prudishness that means that we consider sex being different. And no, i've never visited any of Bristol's brothels.

[andy hughes]

Whether or not brothels are an 'acceptable' part of life is debatable, having to accept that they are part of life is not. So, given that we do have brothels and prostitutes as part of our society, the choice is whether we organise them into a socialy acceptable location - say, an industrial estate, where they can be monitored, and security provided for staff and customers alike. This has to be the civilised way to deal with a situation whose illegality leads to exploitation and fear for a lot of women who are unable to survive and feed their families by any other means. This cannot be right - let's legalise, and stop pretending that the seamier side of life doesn't exist, just because it's easier that way.