Prostitution by any other name
Reader comment on: Prostitution Case Features Prosecutors of Corruption

Submitted by Joel A. Robinson, Mar 10, 2008 10:44

ATTENTION: MR. JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN

In today's NY Sun it was reported that a public official could be linked to a prostitution ring operating out of New Jersey, which seems odd on several levels except one. The public official was alleged to be making $112,000 a year and possibly spending $3,500 for sexual favors. On that basis this investigation makes sense because it would seem logical that this official was making additional income and potentially misusing his office.

On any other level the issue of a consenting woman and man engaged in the oldest profession seems out of date at the very least. The operative issue is "consenting" on the part of the woman – and if this is the case, where is the crime. People that accept benefits other than money could be alleged to be partaking in the same enterprise as the woman that exchanges sex for cash.

Many couples live together outside marriage and if a woman of modest means chooses to live with a wealthy man would this be called prostitution? If a woman consents to have sex with her employer who is to say this is not a romantic relationship rather than an economic relationship.

An escort service such as the one described in the NY Sun is clearly and exchange of sexual favors for money, but hardly a crime if both parties are consenting adults in today's climate of tolerance in sexual matters.

The bluenose line of thinking that prostitution is evil fails to consider activities that are no different except in definition. Why is taking money for sex more reprehensible than a person entering a relationship for reasons other than romance? Is anyone so naïve that they believe all associations between couples is based solely on love? What about a woman that wants to get ahead in politics and marries a man who might be the Attorney General, or Governor of a state. It may be a loveless marriage but both parties are enjoying other goals from the association.

This is not a defense of prostitution; it is simply to point out that pursuing people and their chosen profession can be a double edged sword when applied to the activities implies the same activity where only the name has been changed to protect the guilty.

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