[quote=harvey]Perhaps a more precise way to say it would be that you can’t “equate” them. [/quote]
Agreed, and then I un-equated (perhaps not a word) them to some extent with, “I agree with you that there are differences… just not as much as would appear on the surface.”
[quote=harvey]
Which you tried to do but didn’t make a compelling case. [/quote]
Perhaps an “in my opinion” or “in my view” should be added here? I assume you don’t feel you’re the last word on Everything.
[quote=harvey]
Your model for “Profile 1” one is absurdly oversimplified. [/quote]
You just described 99% of all internet posts in which a complex topic is being discussed. I apologize for not having the time to post a dissertation.
[quote=harvey]
The “we are all prostitutes” generalization is trite. Superficially it sorta makes sense but it’s pretty shallow and intellectually lazy.[/quote]
Yes, “in your opinion” (again)… I was unaware that you were the Arbiter of Shallow and Intellectual Laziness on the Internet. But your opinion is duly noted.
[quote=harvey]
A key word when discussing prostitution is “dignity” – sure it’s a subjective word, but it does have meaning and it does have value.
Although some jobs and roles in life have less dignity than others, it is universally accepted that prostitution is at the bottom of the scale – low enough that no one should have to do it simply because they have no alternative. We all do things we don’t like to make a living, but there is an ethical threshold that society must recognize. I don’t know exactly where the line is, but I know prostitution is on the other side of it. It certainly is not just another job.
We should not outlaw prostitution or condemn prostitutes, but we should strive for a world where nobody has to be a prostitute unless it is truly what they want to be.
Because being a prostitute is a helluva lot different than being a consultant, or a dishwasher, or a woman in a marriage that has grown apart after a decade or so.[/quote]
From what I can gather – if the internet is right on this statistic – prostitutes average about $45K-$50K annually in earnings. Obviously, there’s a wide variation – I’m sure there are some who make several hundred thousand dollars annually and others (the “crack whores” noted above) that make considerably less. That pay range happens to be about in the middle of all pay for all jobs in the US. So, clearly if one was willing to earn less at another job, one could do so. But most prostitutes (that aren’t trafficked slaves) apparently want to make more money (than the lower-paying job for which they’re qualified). Let me be clear – prostitution has gotta be pretty low on the “desirability” job scale – I won’t argue otherwise. But clearly for a lot of women the trade-off is more than worth it.
You speak of “dignity” and “universally accepted” notions of such. I don’t pay much attention to what’s “universally accepted” which is I think at the root of our differences. “Dignity” is what you make of it. Furthermore, in many ancient cultures prostitutes were held in high regard from a social standpoint (the so-called “sacred prostitute”). Clearly, religion and the passage of time have had their effect on such notions.
The root of the issue here is that lots of folks see “sex” as something “sacred” – even many of those folks who would support legalizing prostitution. I don’t. In my view, it’s just an activity that can be used for procreation, enjoyment, compensation, in combination with “love”, or whatever… nothing more. Which is why we’ll likely never see eye-to-eye on this issue. Which is ok.
