Morals

As with anything related to sex, or the sex industry, there are people who criticize the choices others may make. There's obviously a negative stigma related to the sex industry, the people who work in it, the people who patronize it, and of course the actual acts themselves. I figure it'd be interesting to look at and discussion some of the morality involved with it. I certainly don't have all the answers, but it never hurts to ask questions and make your own opinion.


Religion
One of the first things that comes to mind, is that religion tells us that the sex industry is immoral and evil. I find it interesting that Jesus spent time with prostitutes. He did not judge them, but rather forgave their sins. There's also the story in the bible about the prodigal son, who squandered his father's money by living wildly. Yet his father welcomed him home and killed the fatted calf in celebration of his return. Personally, I believe that if you do not agree with how someone participates in the sex industry, you should not judge or denounce them, but rather try to understand and forgive them.


Morals
There are many reasons why someone may decided to work in the sex industry. Some people actually enjoy the work, and find it appealing. Should we tell them that they should stop doing what they love to do? Perhaps we should tell them that they should not enjoy these perfectly natural, biological responses to stimulation, because they are not committed to each other.

Others, join the sex industry due to circumstances in their life. Should we tell them that they should not get an education because they cannot afford it otherwise? Should we tell them that they should give up their child because they cannot afford to provide for them otherwise? Or perhaps they should spend less time with their child, and work several jobs instead in order to make ends meet? Perhaps we should tell them that they should live on the streets because they cannot find a job in this economy?

On the flip side, let's look at the actual interaction. If a guy pays money for sexual contact, many consider that immoral, right? What happens, if he takes her out shopping, and she decides to thank him for those gifts in bed? Or perhaps, she needs help with her bills, because she got into debt? Prince charming swoops in, has the means and helps her out. She's so endeared with him, that she sleeps with him, is that immoral? What happens, if a girl goes on a date for drinks, drinks too much and chooses to sleep with him? Look at the Bachelor TV show. These girls are treated to expensive and exciting dates, flown to an exotic location, and have an "overnight date" with the Bachelor. Is that immoral? What about a girl that marries a millionaire who's a couple decades older than her because he can provide her with the lifestyle she wants? What about a girl that sleeps with a foreigner, finds out that she's pregnant, and then decides to keep the baby because the foreigner was a US citizen? Does your opinion change if it was a one night stand versus them traveling and sleeping together for a month?

Infidelity
It seems that a majority of the patrons of the sex industry are those who are married, or are in committed relationships. Personally, I don't think I could do this. If I cared for someone, I'd prefer to discuss the situation, and if we couldn't figure something out, end the relationship, rather than start creating an elaborate set of lies, and cheat on them. However that's just me.

I've heard stories from both men and women who claim that a sex worker saved their relationship or marriage. Yup! Some guys really do love their wives and children. However it's simply the fact that their sexual needs aren't being met. Maybe the wife went through menopause, and her sex drive dropped drastically. So instead of getting a mistress who may get emotionally involved, they see a sex worker, to satisfy only their sexual needs, without any emotional attachments.

Other guys claim to be in a loveless marriage, but remain married due to their children. Supposedly seeing a sex worker helps them to remain with their spouse and provide a safe home for their children. Or there's the  married couple's relationship drastically improves because the wife can relax because she's no longer constantly being pestered to have sex with her husband. Is it so wrong, if every party involved comes out happier?


Legalization
As I've mentioned this before, I do not endorse, promote or encourage participating in illegal actions. However I do think that there are enough examples that prostitution should be legalized. Look at prohibition of other vices such as alcohol and gambling. Yeah.... those didn't go very well at all, now did it?

People are going to have sex. Look at abstinence only education and Virginity Pledges. According to studies, 75%+ of those who made a pledge are no longer virgin by the age of 25. I personally believe that it's better to regulate and monitor the industry, rather than prohibiting it, and forcing people to go "underground".

Technology
Supposedly, Prostitution is considered a public order crime. However, with the advancement of technology, I wonder if this is still the case. With the advent of phones, girls did not need to meet in person to set up a meeting. The invention of cell phones, the internet and e-mail have only strengthened this. There's also the invention of the birth control pill. This along with other contraceptive alternatives, as well as abortions, plan B, and research into a male oral contraceptive means that sex workers can protect themselves from pregnancy.

There's also the advancement of condoms, and other forms of safe sex. Combine that with routine testing for STDs, and I can understand that there's never been a case of HIV at Nevada brothels.

Additional Reading
http://prostitution.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000103
http://prostitution.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=113
http://www.liberator.net/articles/prostitution.html