In reference to my acquaintance’s quote about his feelings on prostitution, I did not mean to imply that either he or I thought that it was an industry without any issues, since sex trafficking is still alive and well and the profession comes with many risks to mind and body . Prostitution is an industry that exploits the abused and unfortunate for further maltreatment. With this reality, yes, I do have a problem with prostitution.
I do not, however, have a problem with the ideal world where prostitution is safe, legal, regulated, and where people choose the profession freely. I also do not believe that the problems with prostitution today imply that there cannot be a world where this ideal is realized. This sentiment is perhaps better said by Nils Johan Ringdal in his book, Love For Sale: A World History Of Prostitution :
Nobody has the right to sex, either unpaid or in exchange for payment: If nobody wants to sell sex, it is a crime to force anyone to do so. But when men or women do want to sell their bodies, they should have that full right without encountering punishment or discrimination.
I’m not bothered by prostitution. But I am bothered when I hear about students who take work that they would not otherwise take were it not for student loan debt. That’s not what education is supposed to do.