Things may be a temporary fix like what? The current criminalization of prostitutes? Spitzer has been putting women in jail for doing what they want to do (or what they were forced to do) and does he get jailtime? No.
Not all clients of prostitutes are married men. There're a variety of people who use a prostitute's services; not all are married men. Similarly, there're a variety of reasons why people seek out prostitutes... it's not just that they felt like cheating on their spouse. People have a long way to go in terms of relationship-maturity before we manage to get the kinks out and really prevent cheating.
And of course, a prostitute who does not consent is being raped. Not that a lot of people understand that, but it's still rape. Doesn't matter if she gets paid after, too. There is a problem where the prostitute provides services, but she isn't paid. Is that rape? Not necessarily, but it IS a form of cheating, of not paying for services rendered.
The problem with pimps is that it's an easy door to exploitation - a woman SHOULD be able to work on her own terms without anybody dictating to her what she can or cannot do.
The problem with prostitution, on the whole, is that most people are uncomfortable with the idea of the body being a sexual commodity.
Here's some really good reading on sex workers, the trials they face and other whatnot. (http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2008/03/17/decriminalization-ending-demand-and-choice/)
Re: Comment Part II
Date: 2008-03-22 08:05 pm (UTC)Not all clients of prostitutes are married men. There're a variety of people who use a prostitute's services; not all are married men. Similarly, there're a variety of reasons why people seek out prostitutes... it's not just that they felt like cheating on their spouse. People have a long way to go in terms of relationship-maturity before we manage to get the kinks out and really prevent cheating.
And of course, a prostitute who does not consent is being raped. Not that a lot of people understand that, but it's still rape. Doesn't matter if she gets paid after, too. There is a problem where the prostitute provides services, but she isn't paid. Is that rape? Not necessarily, but it IS a form of cheating, of not paying for services rendered.
The problem with pimps is that it's an easy door to exploitation - a woman SHOULD be able to work on her own terms without anybody dictating to her what she can or cannot do.
The problem with prostitution, on the whole, is that most people are uncomfortable with the idea of the body being a sexual commodity.
Here's some really good reading on sex workers, the trials they face and other whatnot. (http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2008/03/17/decriminalization-ending-demand-and-choice/)