Prostitutes-what to do

[Greatest I Am]

Prostitutes must have a special place in Heaven.

Prostitutes. male or female, are products of abuse by our societies. These young people come out of homes where physical, mental and sexual abuse has occurred. They are basically forced from their environment to the streets.

The societal response to these abused people is rather strange. We create them and then use our police and laws to further abuse our sons and daughters legally. We do provide social services on occasion but most of our response is negative. We drive them to a lifestyle of drugs and slavery under pimps and use police to try to hide our own shame in a forgotten cell.

What should people do. Having created this trade, should we now use them and abuse them more or should we let them starve or find some other criminal activity in order to live.

Are we paying them for our gratification or is the payment to ease our conscience for creating them.
Do some of us use them with compassion because we recognize that they are our creation? Or am I trying to justify their existence. In countries where poverty is rampant and children are sold by their own parents, can it be said that this is good in order to maintain a family structure. Is it OK to go to some of these places of poverty and contribute to their economy. Not availing ourselves of this product do we help the country to stay poor.
The same weird situation exists where child labor occurs. If we do not buy the carpet woven by the eight year old, does his family then go hungry.

There is good and evil in everything, can we clear up the view of this problem and know the best course of action?

Does survival of the fittest include the ability to use and abuse our own children. We tend to continue with these unsightly customs regardless of the wealth of a given nation. Would wealth and education put an end to these practices? It appears not.

Question for debate.
Is it better to avail one’s self of the services of a prostitute to help them survive, or is there a better way.

Please do not say things like ending poverty without telling us how.
Impossible solutions are not solutions.

Regards
DL

[mister_lee]

GIA,

You start with a faulty premise, IMO.

Prostitutes. male or female, are products of abuse by our societies. These young people come out of homes where physical, mental and sexual abuse has occurred. They are basically forced from their environment to the streets.

You have presented no evidence to support the assertion that prostitutes are products of abusive homes or societies. Some prostitutes may be a product of abusive situations, some may not. One cannot assume one way or the other without investigation (unless one does not care whether they are right or wrong in what they say).

Can you honestly say that ALL prostitutes come from abusive homes? Can some be engaging in the business for "fun and profit"? Can some be college students seeking money for expenses or extravagances? Can some be housewives seeking a thrill and a bit of spending money? Can you say these NEVER happen?

If the premise is faulty, the discussion is faulty.

I meant this as a general look at the problem. If you need statistics then the last I read was that 60% of females suffer abuse in the home and 40% of males.
These statistics are for north America but since they fluctuate for, various countries are meaningless. The reason I excluded them.

I would estimate that 50% of prostitutes are of the abused variety. I am not concerned with the rest.

Now was there something you wanted to say on the topic or is presentation all you care about.

Regards
DL

I kind of see what you were getting at it. In terms of the abused women, the ones that live their lives as streetwalkers, forced into the situation because of life's difficulties and abuse, it is a difficult situation and i'm not sure what to do to solve it.

On one hand, I see it as complete degradation of women. To legalize it would be an admission that it is acceptable behavior, which in my opinion it is not. The mother of my child decided to begin selling herself, and although she had a rough upbringing emotionally, I would not say she was abused. She began as a stripper and naturally began doing more once she realized the girls that did made more money. It was part of the destruction of our relationship, that and much more.

Through her indiscretions, I twice got an STD, though I did not know the true nature of how she got them. Once, was when we first got together, and the second was the warning bell, and I finally found out what she was doing, something I'm adding so that it doesn't seem like I am a complete fool, though I've made plenty of foolish decisions. So I feel the need personally that there needs to be something done. I didn't get anything incurable but it could be a lot worse for me. It was for her because she does have something that can't be cured.

On the other hand, like drugs, legalization could potential lessen the problem, weeding out those who do things for the thrill of doing something deemed as wrong, at least in terms of legality. Perhaps if it were legal, more women would feel the degradation of men treating them like a kroger meat case. The logic appears off but women such as my daughter's mother, feel like they are the ones in control by setting the price and either making or breaking the sale. The legalization would put the men in control, where if the man did not agree to any terms, he could go to the next woman. I'm not for this, I'm just trying to think objectively. My stomach is a little uneasy imagining a world where such a thing could be legal, like a grocery store, and not taboo, like the places on the outskirts of Nevada that have tumbleweeds rollin' by and are less reality in our world.

From a legal standpoint, I don't like that we crowd our jails and prisons with these women, something we pay for with our tax dollars. Jails and prisons should be for real criminals. Furthermore, committing these women to such a fate only further determines said fate by increasing the odds ten-fold that he/she will continue this behavior when they get out. I'd like to see more help given to these people but money talks in this country and there's not enough positive resources to get around. Lots of initiatives center on political campagins and funding usually decreases outside of these time. It's sad really but we can't give up on it just because it's hard.

But as far as legalizing it? In theory, it could be a good thing for the women, but there are other factors to consider. First, it is terrible for marriage and relationships because it would give men an outlet to go to when they are not satisfied at home. Although, for married men it might do the trick because women that don't want their men going to prostitutes might start taking care of their men more regularly. We might effectively destroy the stereotype, a true one from some I know, that marriage is the end of sex. Prostitution legal? The men of the world rejoice, not because they plan on using them, but because now they're wives have more to consider than cheating. See, cheating at least takes work and can be easy to catch. Men could take a lunch break or a smoke break and head over to the brothel where a menu of options is waiting. I'll have blank with a side of blank, no dessert today. HAHAHA....Sorry, I was entertaining myself for a moment. It's funny, but it will never happen, not in a Christian based society, unless something radical changes.

We just need more programs and support outside of political agenda. Then we can get to the root of the problem. Legalizing prostitution at best would be a temporary bandaid. There is so much that can happen with what's going on now, that it might take something radical to help the situation. The positive is that there would be a control in terms of disease. That's something I'm all for, but I still think it takes getting to the root of the problem. With my daughter's mother, it took taking her in after being separated and taking an active role in her recovery. It's one of the most difficult things I've done in my life, living with an ex, especially one that has done terrible things to me. She took a toll on me mentally and physically but seeing her now, a year and a half after I made the choice, I've seen the fruits of my work.

She just got back into school, she is dedicated as a Christian, and has taken a more positive approach to it, trying to help others and being extremely tolerant. Even though I'm not a Christian in the same way she is, I can't deny the impact of her faith in her life. She's not perfect and I'd never take her back, but if you saw how she was and how she is now, it is remarkable. She's always been a Christian, but she was intolerant of anyone that didn't share her belief. Now that she's filled her heart with love, somewhat at least, she's very tolerant. She has friends that are homosexual and even those of other religions. So helping these women without paying them to degrade themselves, is possible. I don't know if I'd recommend taking them into your home, but whatever you can do. It's just important that we build them up positively and help them see how beautiful they are as women, as mothers. I don't think that's possible using them like a toy. I've been used, never sexually, but I know it's not a good feeling.

But, I don't know, i'm open to suggestions about the problem. But I've seen first hand that it is a problem. And i've seen first hand a possible solution and how it can work.

[katiej49]

[quote="The Duke of Vandals"]Clearly, the best thing to do with prostitution is to make it illegal which should completely stop it from happening. [/sarcasm]

Seriously, there's nothing stopping prostitution from being legal beyond our absurd puritanical roots.

There are better ways to help abused kids than by going after prostitution. Prostitution is the effect, not the cause.[/quote


ever heard of AIDS? using a prostitute for your pleasure is the pits in morality....it uses another human being like a piece of meat......Jesus evidently loved them, for He would speak to them when others in His society shunned........Jesus loves sinners....i am no better than the prostitute ........we are both sinners!!........the one who uses her is as guilty as she is.......we are all guilty, for we are all sinners.....forgive me, this rambles a bit as i am quite tired this evening.......blessings

[Zzyzx]

I meant this as a general look at the problem. If you need statistics then the last I read was that 60% of females suffer abuse in the home and 40% of males.
These statistics are for north America but since they fluctuate for, various countries are meaningless. The reason I excluded them.

I would estimate that 50% of prostitutes are of the abused variety. I am not concerned with the rest.

Now was there something you wanted to say on the topic or is presentation all you care about.

I am interested in the topic -- provided that its major assumptions are correct. We can legitimately say that some prostitutes come from abusive backgrounds and some do not. I do not know the ratio. Is your 50% figure a guess, an educated guess, or substantiated by investigation?

It might be appropriate to NOT dismiss the “non-abused” prostitutes. Why would one do so?

Those who willingly choose prostitution might have made an unwise decision, but we cannot assume that is true. It is just our opinion (and we are probably not in the situation or the business). It is not unknown for college students, career women and housewives, among others, to "turn a few tricks" for extra money or a thrill or whatever. Some are temporary or part-time prostitutes – or just occasional participants. Some may enjoy the business and the income and later go on to successful careers and marriages.

Who is to say prostitution in general is "wrong"? On what basis?

I maintain that criminalization of sale of goods between a willing seller and a willing buyer is merely at attempt to inflict one person's "morals" upon another. All "victimless crimes" are attempts to legislate morality -- and are ineffective and morally wrong, IMO.

However, legalization of prostitution would put a lot of people out of work -- pimps, cops, prosecutors, judges, jailers, bondsmen. Some might need retraining to find alternative sources of income.

STDs are certainly a factor that should be considered by prostitutes and their customers, but each person is responsible for their own decisions in that regard. Some make a poor decision and become ill or die; some make a poor decision and stay healthy. A wise decision is more likely to result in health, but there are no absolute guarantees except total abstinence.

Regarding responses toward a prostitute who chooses the business because of an abusive background, I have several comments.

1. There is no way to casually determine who has been truly abused and who has not
2. Whether there has been abuse or not, a person is responsible for their decisions. There are other options. Many who have been abused have NOT decided to become prostitutes.
3. Occasionally it is possible to help someone -- often it is not.
4. Often drugs and alcohol play a role in prostitution, which can complicate all considerations and limit the options for assistance.

[Greatest I Am]

GIA,

You start with a faulty premise, IMO.

Prostitutes. male or female, are products of abuse by our societies. These young people come out of homes where physical, mental and sexual abuse has occurred. They are basically forced from their environment to the streets.

You have presented no evidence to support the assertion that prostitutes are products of abusive homes or societies. Some prostitutes may be a product of abusive situations, some may not. One cannot assume one way or the other without investigation (unless one does not care whether they are right or wrong in what they say).

Can you honestly say that ALL prostitutes come from abusive homes? Can some be engaging in the business for "fun and profit"? Can some be college students seeking money for expenses or extravagances? Can some be housewives seeking a thrill and a bit of spending money? Can you say these NEVER happen?

If the premise is faulty, the discussion is faulty.

I meant this as a general look at the problem. If you need statistics then the last I read was that 60% of females suffer abuse in the home and 40% of males.
These statistics are for north America but since they fluctuate for, various countries are meaningless. The reason I excluded them.

I would estimate that 50% of prostitutes are of the abused variety. I am not concerned with the rest.

Now was there something you wanted to say on the topic or is presentation all you care about.

Regards
DL

I kind of see what you were getting at it. In terms of the abused women, the ones that live their lives as streetwalkers, forced into the situation because of life's difficulties and abuse, it is a difficult situation and I'm not sure what to do to solve it.

On one hand, I see it as complete degradation of women. To legalize it would be an admission that it is acceptable behavior, which in my opinion it is not. The mother of my child decided to begin selling herself, and although she had a rough upbringing emotionally, I would not say she was abused. She began as a stripper and naturally began doing more once she realized the girls that did made more money. It was part of the destruction of our relationship, that and much more.

Through her indiscretions, I twice got an STD, though I did not know the true nature of how she got them. Once, was when we first got together, and the second was the warning bell, and I finally found out what she was doing, something I'm adding so that it doesn't seem like I am a complete fool, though I've made plenty of foolish decisions. So I feel the need personally that there needs to be something done. I didn't get anything incurable but it could be a lot worse for me. It was for her because she does have something that can't be cured.

On the other hand, like drugs, legalization could potential lessen the problem, weeding out those who do things for the thrill of doing something deemed as wrong, at least in terms of legality. Perhaps if it were legal, more women would feel the degradation of men treating them like a kroger meat case. The logic appears off but women such as my daughter's mother, feel like they are the ones in control by setting the price and either making or breaking the sale. The legalization would put the men in control, where if the man did not agree to any terms, he could go to the next woman. I'm not for this, I'm just trying to think objectively. My stomach is a little uneasy imagining a world where such a thing could be legal, like a grocery store, and not taboo, like the places on the outskirts of Nevada that have tumbleweeds rollin' by and are less reality in our world.

From a legal standpoint, I don't like that we crowd our jails and prisons with these women, something we pay for with our tax dollars. Jails and prisons should be for real criminals. Furthermore, committing these women to such a fate only further determines said fate by increasing the odds ten-fold that he/she will continue this behavior when they get out. I'd like to see more help given to these people but money talks in this country and there's not enough positive resources to get around. Lots of initiatives center on political campaigns and funding usually decreases outside of these time. It's sad really but we can't give up on it just because it's hard.

But as far as legalizing it? In theory, it could be a good thing for the women, but there are other factors to consider. First, it is terrible for marriage and relationships because it would give men an outlet to go to when they are not satisfied at home. Although, for married men it might do the trick because women that don't want their men going to prostitutes might start taking care of their men more regularly. We might effectively destroy the stereotype, a true one from some I know, that marriage is the end of sex. Prostitution legal? The men of the world rejoice, not because they plan on using them, but because now they're wives have more to consider than cheating. See, cheating at least takes work and can be easy to catch. Men could take a lunch break or a smoke break and head over to the brothel where a menu of options is waiting. I'll have blank with a side of blank, no dessert today. HAHAHA....Sorry, I was entertaining myself for a moment. It's funny, but it will never happen, not in a Christian based society, unless something radical changes.

We just need more programs and support outside of political agenda. Then we can get to the root of the problem. Legalizing prostitution at best would be a temporary band-aid. There is so much that can happen with what's going on now, that it might take something radical to help the situation. The positive is that there would be a control in terms of disease. That's something I'm all for, but I still think it takes getting to the root of the problem. With my daughter's mother, it took taking her in after being separated and taking an active role in her recovery. It's one of the most difficult things I've done in my life, living with an ex, especially one that has done terrible things to me. She took a toll on me mentally and physically but seeing her now, a year and a half after I made the choice, I've seen the fruits of my work.

She just got back into school, she is dedicated as a Christian, and has taken a more positive approach to it, trying to help others and being extremely tolerant. Even though I'm not a Christian in the same way she is, I can't deny the impact of her faith in her life. She's not perfect and I'd never take her back, but if you saw how she was and how she is now, it is remarkable. She's always been a Christian, but she was intolerant of anyone that didn't share her belief. Now that she's filled her heart with love, somewhat at least, she's very tolerant. She has friends that are homosexual and even those of other religions. So helping these women without paying them to degrade themselves, is possible. I don't know if I'd recommend taking them into your home, but whatever you can do. It's just important that we build them up positively and help them see how beautiful they are as women, as mothers. I don't think that's possible using them like a toy. I've been used, never sexually, but I know it's not a good feeling.

But, I don't know, I'm open to suggestions about the problem. But I've seen first hand that it is a problem. And I've seen first hand a possible solution and how it can work.

I appreciate your honesty and candor.
Nice to know that individuals can and do make a difference.
If only all prostitutes had such.

Regards
DL

[Greatest I Am]

Clearly, the best thing to do with prostitution is to make it illegal which should completely stop it from happening. [/sarcasm]

Seriously, there's nothing stopping prostitution from being legal beyond our absurd puritanical roots.

There are better ways to help abused kids than by going after prostitution. Prostitution is the effect, not the cause.[/quote


ever heard of AIDS? using a prostitute for your pleasure is the pits in morality....it uses another human being like a piece of meat......Jesus evidently loved them, for He would speak to them when others in His society shunned........Jesus loves sinners....i am no better than the prostitute ........we are both sinners!!........the one who uses her is as guilty as she is.......we are all guilty, for we are all sinners.....forgive me, this rambles a bit as i am quite tired this evening.......blessings

Many like yourself see the situation that way but what do we do.

Regards
DL

[Greatest I Am]

I meant this as a general look at the problem. If you need statistics then the last I read was that 60% of females suffer abuse in the home and 40% of males.
These statistics are for north America but since they fluctuate for, various countries are meaningless. The reason I excluded them.

I would estimate that 50% of prostitutes are of the abused variety. I am not concerned with the rest.

Now was there something you wanted to say on the topic or is presentation all you care about.

I am interested in the topic -- provided that its major assumptions are correct. We can legitimately say that some prostitutes come from abusive backgrounds and some do not. I do not know the ratio. Is your 50% figure a guess, an educated guess, or substantiated by investigation?

More of an amalgamation. The statistic for North America was 60% of females and 40% of males.


It might be appropriate to NOT dismiss the “non-abused” prostitutes. Why would one do so?

Those who willingly choose prostitution might have made an unwise decision, but we cannot assume that is true. It is just our opinion (and we are probably not in the situation or the business). It is not unknown for college students, career women and housewives, among others, to "turn a few tricks" for extra money or a thrill or whatever. Some are temporary or part-time prostitutes – or just occasional participants. Some may enjoy the business and the income and later go on to successful careers and marriages.

Who is to say prostitution in general is "wrong"? On what basis?

GIA wrote
I would not like my children to need to or my wife to need to. It feels wrong.
One poster else where implied that he would not care if his daughter was in the trade.
I mentioned that if his child was a dentist he would have no problem using him, her, for that service but he recanted when I asked if he would use a prostitute offspring for that service.
This tells me that it is inherently wrong.
Do you agree?

I maintain that criminalization of sale of goods between a willing seller and a willing buyer is merely at attempt to inflict one person's "morals" upon another.

GIA wrote
Like buying a stolen TV, there is no visible victim only a hidden one. An abused person 50% of the time.

All "victimless crimes" are attempts to legislate morality -- and are ineffective and morally wrong, IMO.

GIA wrote
I would agree in most cases, not all.

However, legalization of prostitution would put a lot of people out of work -- pimps, cops, prosecutors, judges, jailers, bondsmen. Some might need retraining to find alternative sources of income.

GIA wrote
Our taxes would drop. Right on.

STDs are certainly a factor that should be considered by prostitutes and their customers, but each person is responsible for their own decisions in that regard. Some make a poor decision and become ill or die; some make a poor decision and stay healthy. A wise decision is more likely to result in health, but there are no absolute guarantees except total abstinence.

Regarding responses toward a prostitute who chooses the business because of an abusive background, I have several comments.

1. There is no way to casually determine who has been truly abused and who has not
2. Whether there has been abuse or not, a person is responsible for their decisions. There are other options. Many who have been abused have NOT decided to become prostitutes.
3. Occasionally it is possible to help someone -- often it is not.
4. Often drugs and alcohol play a role in prostitution, which can complicate all considerations and limit the options for assistance.

True but I would suggest that if there were truly decent options then more would use them. The truth is that we offer little.

As to the many that become addicted to drugs, I would ask, what came first the abuse or the use of drugs?
I would suggest the former but ask. your thoughts.

Regards
DL

[katiej49]

Clearly, the best thing to do with prostitution is to make it illegal which should completely stop it from happening. [/sarcasm]

Seriously, there's nothing stopping prostitution from being legal beyond our absurd puritanical roots.

There are better ways to help abused kids than by going after prostitution. Prostitution is the effect, not the cause.[/quote


ever heard of AIDS? using a prostitute for your pleasure is the pits in morality....it uses another human being like a piece of meat......Jesus evidently loved them, for He would speak to them when others in His society shunned........Jesus loves sinners....i am no better than the prostitute ........we are both sinners!!........the one who uses her is as guilty as she is.......we are all guilty, for we are all sinners.....forgive me, this rambles a bit as i am quite tired this evening.......blessings

Many like yourself see the situation that way but what do we do.

Regards
DL

do what you can where you are! refuse to accept this as a good thing because it isnt. help local agencies that help those who are down and out. be a friend to a single mom.....give to the food pantry.....tell of the love of Jesus which doesnt use, but loves us as we are!!!!........offer whatever help you can...........of course people must be responsbile for themselves too

[otseng]

I kind of see what you were getting at it. In terms of the abused women, the ones that live their lives as streetwalkers, forced into the situation because of life's difficulties and abuse, it is a difficult situation and i'm not sure what to do to solve it.

I'm not sure if I'm technically on the other side as you, but you deserved a MPG donation for that post. 50 tokens to you.

But, I don't know, i'm open to suggestions about the problem. But I've seen first hand that it is a problem. And i've seen first hand a possible solution and how it can work.

I think like a majority of social problems, it's going to take individuals who care about others and willing to personally get involved. I think society as a whole rely too much on politics to try to solve things. So, I think whether it is legal or illegal wouldn't make much difference either way. As you've mentioned, it doesn't address the root problems.

Since you have had a close experience with it, do you offer any suggestions of what might be the root causes?

[Zzyzx]

Mister_Lee,

I understand and sympathize with your position. I will respond without intending to be negative or critical.

My first point is a question that seems basic to the discussion – Are women capable of making their own decisions?

On the other hand, like drugs, legalization could potential lessen the problem, weeding out those who do things for the thrill of doing something deemed as wrong, at least in terms of legality.

This has been shown to be true in countries that have de-criminalized some of the “victimless crimes” (those without a directly affected victim).

My stomach is a little uneasy imagining a world where such a thing could be legal, like a grocery store, and not taboo, like the places on the outskirts of Nevada that have tumbleweeds rollin' by and are less reality in our world.

We may personally disagree with many choices that people make – citing gambling to drinking alcohol to smoking tobacco. Our action should ethically be to avoid them for ourselves and perhaps speak against them, but to allow others the right to do as they wish (and not pass laws to enforce our version of morality).

From a legal standpoint, I don't like that we crowd our jails and prisons with these women, something we pay for with our tax dollars. Jails and prisons should be for real criminals.

“Jails and prisons should be for real criminals.” I agree totally.

If prostitutes are not “real criminals”, why are they criminals at all? If laws exist that criminalize behavior, we should have a darn good reason for passing those laws. Once we pass laws they should be enforced fairly and equitably to all concerned.

We cannot reasonably say that we oppose legalization of prostitution and other “victimless crimes” while protesting filling jails with people who are not “real criminals”.

But as far as legalizing it? In theory, it could be a good thing for the women, but there are other factors to consider. First, it is terrible for marriage and relationships because it would give men an outlet to go to when they are not satisfied at home.

There are ALWSYS “outlets to go to when they [men] are not satisfied at home” that do not include prostitution. Those outlets are often known as women.

Do we consider ourselves capable of deciding what is “best” for marriages? Is it the duty or right of society to eliminate “alternatives” for dissatisfied married men? Does this include eliminating available non-prostitute women?

We just need more programs and support outside of political agenda. Then we can get to the root of the problem. Legalizing prostitution at best would be a temporary band-aid. There is so much that can happen with what's going on now, that it might take something radical to help the situation. The positive is that there would be a control in terms of disease. That's something I'm all for, but I still think it takes getting to the root of the problem.

What, exactly and practically, can be done to reduce the amount of prostitution? Should reduction of prostitution be a low, moderate, medium or high priority in our society?

With my daughter's mother, it took taking her in after being separated and taking an active role in her recovery. It's one of the most difficult things I've done in my life, living with an ex, especially one that has done terrible things to me. She took a toll on me mentally and physically but seeing her now, a year and a half after I made the choice, I've seen the fruits of my work.

Congratulations and condolences.

She just got back into school, she is dedicated as a Christian, and has taken a more positive approach to it, trying to help others and being extremely tolerant. Even though I'm not a Christian in the same way she is, I can't deny the impact of her faith in her life. She's not perfect and I'd never take her back, but if you saw how she was and how she is now, it is remarkable. She's always been a Christian, but she was intolerant of anyone that didn't share her belief.

Would you care to comment on the effect of her faith upon her decision to go into prostitution and in her decision to find another source of income?

Now that she's filled her heart with love, somewhat at least, she's very tolerant. She has friends that are homosexual and even those of other religions. So helping these women without paying them to degrade themselves, is possible. I don't know if I'd recommend taking them into your home, but whatever you can do. It's just important that we build them up positively and help them see how beautiful they are as women, as mothers. I don't think that's possible using them like a toy. I've been used, never sexually, but I know it's not a good feeling.

It would seem as though “love one another” would be good medicine for a lot of problems.

[otseng]

Are women capable of making their own decisions?

I would hope so.

We may personally disagree with many choices that people make – citing gambling to drinking alcohol to smoking tobacco. Our action should ethically be to avoid them for ourselves and perhaps speak against them, but to allow others the right to do as they wish (and not pass laws to enforce our version of morality).

Actually, I tend to agree with this. Though I think there is a minimum level of morality that must be enforced by the government (eg murder, rape, stealing).

“Jails and prisons should be for real criminals.” I agree totally.

I agree also. I was once on a jury selection for a trial involving possession of marijuana. During the entire time I was thinking, "What a waste of time and money! We're spending so many man-hours of peoples' lives simply because someone is accused of having pot!?" During the questioning, I was so tempted to say "I object to being involved in such a frivolous case."

If laws exist that criminalize behavior, we should have a darn good reason for passing those laws.

I agree also.

There are ALWSYS “outlets to go to when they [men] are not satisfied at home” that do not include prostitution. Those outlets are often known as women.

But the difference with prostitutes is that once it's done, it's over with. No emotional ties, no ambiguity if there is a relationship. The prostitute does not wonder if he loves her or how they can have a romantic relationship together.

What, exactly and practically, can be done to reduce the amount of prostitution?

I was thinking more about this. The issue is a supply and demand problem. So both sides needs to be considered.

In terms of demand, men have a high sex drive. Men will find some way to satisfy this drive. I don't think it'll be easy to limit all men to only fulfill their sex drive in "appropriate" ways.

In terms of supply, women want a way to make money. Prostitution is one of the easiest ways to make a lot of money with very little work and resources. If such an easy way to make money is available, it won't be easy to stop them from taking advantage of it.

Should reduction of prostitution be a low, moderate, medium or high priority in our society?

As a national priority, I would consider it low.