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Researchers find men are more than willing to talk about hookers
A group of researchers -- most of them young women -- invited more than 100 Chicago-area men who frequently use prostitutes to talk about their attitudes and experiences. They were overwhelmed by the response; in fact, more than 200 men were willing to sit down with strangers to discuss at length their illegal sexual practices. (Chicago Tribune)
May 6, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Next week in the Chicago News "200 Men busted for soliciting prostitution when they answered a sex survey ad"
We've covered prostitution ad nauseum.
Legalize it.
Posted by: Cherie | May 6, 2008 11:20:44 AM
"As anti-prostitution groups try to thwart sex trade by going after customers, they said they have faced a big problem: researchers have only the crudest grasp of why men buy sex."
You. Have. Got. To be molly-flocking kidding me. We're dealing with AWW-THEN-TICK experts here, kids.
Here, let me answer the question for the experts- men have testicles. Testosterone. A Dick. They get drunk, they get horny, they can't get it for free, so they pay. Wow. Complex as hell, that was. I'll take some tenure now, please.
Posted by: sometimesilie | May 6, 2008 11:21:42 AM
"Illegal sexual practices"
Sounds like some uptight Muslim country. It's sad how much we are like those we feel most different from.
Posted by: Violent Acres | May 6, 2008 11:22:46 AM
"A majority were college-educated, and more than half were either married or in a committed relationship, according to the study.¨¨
In other words, their S.O.´s are unwilling to have anything but the dullest, most boring sex. Being in a long term relationship doesn´t guarantee you access to the goodies. A few are probably authentic sex addicts.
The World is filled with weird, strange, and lonely people. If you, I don´t know, legalized prostitution, you would make it a lot safer for the girls who are going to ply their trade anyway and the people who are going to pay for it. Anyway.
Posted by: sometimesilie | May 6, 2008 11:30:45 AM
I agree with sometimesilie - having prostitution as a crime creates a criminal atmosphere around the sex trade (pimps, drugs, sneaking around, and a lack of accountability for the nasty customers). Make it legal and safe and hell, even tax it. Then everyone wins except for the wives and girlfriends who apparently don't put out enough or in the desired way.
Posted by: Reno | May 6, 2008 11:37:00 AM
Men frequent prostitutes because their creator designed all these impulses into them, and then ordered the men to ignore the impulses.
Posted by: Sean, Torrington CT | May 6, 2008 11:40:28 AM
JIM--Do you know with FRONTIER(S) coming out on dvd today if it will still be in theaters Friday??
to all sorry for the off subject post.
Posted by: saltylemonaid | May 6, 2008 11:43:36 AM
I didn't even want to put it in there until you said I couldn't! ;)
Posted by: Lou Ford Prefect | May 6, 2008 11:46:12 AM
Why do men in Chicago want to buy sex? Cause it's cold up there and ya gotta keep warm somehow! Yeah, you could buy a coat...but this alternative is so much more fun! Although, I can't understand why their wives and girlfriends aren't wearing them out to the point they were to tired to look at a hooker. I guess all the women up there didn't learn effective heat producing methods.
Posted by: jojo | May 6, 2008 11:56:00 AM
"A lot of us felt really sad for a lot of these men," she said.
Sorry but I don't feel any sorrow for these guys at all. When you choose to turn sex into a recreational sport, you get to live with the emotional and physical consequences.
Posted by: Swangirl | May 6, 2008 11:58:12 AM
I'm torn. As it stands now, I can't support prostitution. A lot of the girls in it don't really WANT to be doing it, they either have no other options, they've been sucked into it, etc. There are also serious public health issues at play.
As STS and Reno pointed out though, maybe a legalized system would protect women who choose to partake in "the world's oldest profession" and instill some kind of basic health precautions. I wonder if the criminality of it were removed, how much danger and damage would still exist around it.
Even if it was legalized, I can't imagine feeling comfortable, personally, visiting a prostitute. But then again that's me and my own personal morals and values, which I don't have a right to press on others.
Thankfully it's not my job to decide this complicated crap.
Posted by: elchampino | May 6, 2008 12:00:19 PM
Don't know, saltylemonaid.
Posted by: Jim Romenesko | May 6, 2008 12:00:40 PM
Anonymous was quoted in the report: "For a small second...I feel happy, & then it's over....There's frustration beforehand and depression afterwar [because] it's so quick...."
1. The guy did not get his money's worth.
2. One word, anonymous: VIAGRA!
Posted by: Anna | May 6, 2008 12:01:11 PM
i agree with the facts that legaliing prostitution will make it safer for the women. Manditory STD testing...AND it would probably do away with the criminal PIMP crowd ...no more beatings, getting to keep their "hard earned" money etc. Keeping prostitution illegal isn't helping anyone and its also wasting our tax dollars, court hours etc.
Posted by: Cherie | May 6, 2008 12:02:26 PM
LMAO Lou!
Posted by: sometimesilie | May 6, 2008 12:12:44 PM
AND WHY WOULD MEN NOT BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT HOOKERS?
Posted by: ULTRA | May 6, 2008 12:32:49 PM
For the life of me I cannot figure why this is still illegal in most of the US. Has anyone ever watched the show "Cat House" on HBO? OK it's cheeesy at best but this guy is raking in the bucks. His company is taxed and monitored. Everyone is happy. No pimps, no run aways, just people getting what they paid for and going home. Imagine if this was legal throughout the US. We could free up law enforcement to go after actual crimes.
Posted by: jupiterjim | May 6, 2008 12:47:25 PM
I love a whore that gives value for money.
Posted by: Will I Am | May 6, 2008 12:57:57 PM
Yet another bit of evidence that sociological researchers are the most credulous as well as the least observant beings on the planet.
Getting 200 guys to sit down and yak (with embellishments) about their sexual experiences isn't hard. Getting them to shut up is the problem.
I am paticularly intrigued by this finding
"57 percent suspect the women they pay were abused as children"
So what? Are these guys qualified to determine a history of child abuse in an adult? Or are they, more likely, burping up the conventional wisdom that ANYONE engaged in sex work is doing so because they are damaged goods (which in turn makes it okay to screw them for money).
And by the by, for everyone who is referring to "girls" ummm prostitution is an equal oppourtunity enterprise.
Posted by: nellagain | May 6, 2008 12:59:25 PM
Problem is that most places punish only the prostitute. The man can get off paying a fine or just with a warning. If the guy PAYING for the illegal sex in the first place was prosecuted just like the prostitute it would help. Most guys know that they won't get into much trouble if they get caught, if any at all, so they continue to do it.
Why some guy would risk STDs and AIDS by having sex with random hookers is beyond me. I would think watching some porn and handling it on your own would be a better option. Plus, we all know that 90% of hookers (if not higher) are prostituting themselves for drug/alcohol money. They need help, not legalization.
Posted by: me | May 6, 2008 1:21:16 PM
I find it amusing that everyone thinks that legalizing prostitution will make women safer. Who is going to monitor this? The government? Our government can't keep teachers from sleeping with kids and can't keep kids out of homes where they are abused (or takes kids out of homes where there is no abuse). But, yes, they will do a good job monitoring prostitutes. I sure the hell don't want to pay a hundred thousand settlement to a John who gets herpes because one of the "monitored" women fell through the cracks and passed on a STD.
Even if by some miracle, the government does monitor the prostitutes, there are some diseases, such as AIDS, that don't show up for several months or years. I recall a discussion not too long ago about people having to go get tested for years to ensure that they do not have HIV.
I don't think legalizing prostitution will make it safer for the women who are in that profession. There will still be teenagers selling themselves to drug dealers to support their habit. There still will be prostitutes with diseases passing them on to others because they don't fit into the "clean" or legalized prostitution circle. These legalized places will be expensive, and there will always be women who are willing to prostitute themselves for far less than the going rate.
Posted by: lawdog | May 6, 2008 1:29:40 PM
Hey me, once the act is legalized, it is regulated heavily. This virtually eliminates the risk of STDs and AIDS. Here are some of the employment rules for one of the local brothels:
Be 21 years of age or older
Fill out an application at the Police Department
Have a five year employment record with names and addresses of employers or contractors and name of supervisors.
A complete criminal record listing all convictions
You can not have any outstanding warrants.
No felonies or gross misdemeanor in the past 5 years.
5 year residence record with addresses
You must have at minimum, 2 forms of I D.... Like driver license, state I.D. card, birth certificate, social security card, passport etc.
You will be fingerprinted, and have your picture taken.
You will go to a Nevada doctor here for blood work and a vaginal culture. It takes 24 for clearance before your work card will be issued. We can help arrange your Dr. visit.
ONCE YOU ARE WORKING
You see the doctor once a week for a vaginal culture and to have your blood checked.
Also to make sure that both the lady and her gentleman friend have a nice safe clean party, by law, they must use a condom.
You will be given a copy of the house rules when you start.
Any girl found with drugs or using illegal drugs will be terminated immediately.
So visit Nevada and give your hand a break!
Posted by: Reno | May 6, 2008 1:32:06 PM
But Reno, what about the women who don't meet those regulations? You actually think that a person who doesn't meet those standards will just stop prostituting herself? Nah, she'll just sell herself for a lesser amount.
Posted by: lawdog | May 6, 2008 1:53:53 PM
lawdog, I'm sure you're right about that. But the thought is that the more legal it is, the less appealing the nasties will be to the johns who frequent ladies of the night (or men, as the case may be). Even if it means spending a little extra cash, I think a guy would rather know he gets to keep his willy when he's done.
Posted by: Reno | May 6, 2008 2:03:20 PM
I'm a hooker.
I hook walleye, bluegill, bass, muskies, etc.
Posted by: A.V. | May 6, 2008 3:55:20 PM
Hire prostitutes to be teachers.
Posted by: Get Real | May 6, 2008 4:18:52 PM
OFF TOPIC: According to what I read Frontier(s) will be in theatres on Friday the 9th and then released on DVD the 13th.
Posted by: wpngdrgn1 | May 6, 2008 10:31:49 PM
I totally agree with lawdog on this issue.
This is the 'oldest profession' for a reason.
Legalizing it shall never make it 'safe' ...
Give it up, guys!
Posted by: Anna | May 7, 2008 12:01:44 AM
Once again, Canada leads. Prostitution has never been illegal here. In my city, the "Escort Agencies" pay a $5000 per year licencing fee, each "Escort" pays large, too, I believe $500 per year. The agency charges a small booking fee, the escort works out the rest with the client. Biggest problem? Keeping them working. At $150 for a half hour, $250 for an hour, it is easy for an escort to make in one evening, enough party money for a week, and then that is what they do. We have no 'stroll', no pimps to speak of, and they advertise in the local paper. Most of them have substance abuse problems, and no skills for any regular work, so this is perfect for them. The clients get what they want, the streets are safe, and the blue-stockings are apoplectic. How perfect. The reason I know all this? I rented a house to a lady who owned one of these agencies, and she told me all about it. Paid her rent in cash, too, and never any problems in over 9 years.
Posted by: primus | May 7, 2008 5:16:22 AM
I really don't understand why paying for sex is illegal and paying for cigaretes and beer is not? It just goes to show you women makes the rules because they would rather kill us than let us get some relief.
Posted by: Ted | May 7, 2008 5:35:28 AM
Anna (and anyone else against legalization), look at how the state of Nevada deals with legalized prostitution. Reno listed the regulations that are imposed on the brothels there.
On the Showtime series "Bullshit" (with Penn and Teller), they did an episode that talked about prostitution. The county health inspector, that works in a county where prostitution is legal, said that in the years that it's been legal, there has not been a single case of a prostitute testing positive for HIV.
They get tested regularly. They visually inspect customers before sex takes place for any obvious signs of an STD. The customers are required to wear condoms. The women are tested for drug use. They aren't walking the streets and being taken advantage of by a pimp. So yes, it can be done safely.
You are right that it's the oldest profession and there is no denying that prostitution isn't going to vanish any time soon. But you also can't deny that there are many ways to make it safer for everyone involved.
Posted by: Valcia | May 7, 2008 6:34:15 AM
I wouldn't have to see a prostitute if the accujack was still on the market. Good stuff for those long lonely drives.
Posted by: BallstotheWall | May 7, 2008 6:40:13 AM
Oh come on, keeping it safe in one city (Reno) is one thing. Keeping it safe throughout the US? It'll never happen. I'm with Lawdog and Anna.
Posted by: kevy | May 7, 2008 7:03:21 AM
kevy, why would it be that difficult? Make them get a license that would require them to get checked by a doctor regularly. Educate them on sexually transmitted diseases, how to protect against them and how to spot the obvious signs of them. Like someone else said, tax them to support the entire process. Of course there would still be unregulated prostitutes but if a man had a choice of visiting a drug addicted street walker or a tested and regulated pro, who would most men choose?
You make it sound like it's only legal it'd be impossible to legalized in anything larger then one city. Primus pointed out how they've done it in an entire country. See...it can work.
According to your logic, it's better to stay with what's going on now everywhere instead of trying to improve the situation. Like I said, prostitution isn't going anywhere. Why not try to make it safer?
Posted by: Valcia | May 7, 2008 7:34:08 AM
kevy, why would it be that difficult? Make them get a license that would require them to get checked by a doctor regularly. Educate them on sexually transmitted diseases, how to protect against them and how to spot the obvious signs of them. Like someone else said, tax them to support the entire process. Of course there would still be unregulated prostitutes but if a man had a choice of visiting a drug addicted street walker or a tested and regulated pro, who would most men choose?
You make it sound like it'd be impossible to legalized it in anything larger then one city. Primus pointed out how they've done it in an entire country. See...it can work.
According to your logic, it's better to stay with what's going on now everywhere instead of trying to improve the situation. Like I said, prostitution isn't going anywhere. Why not try to make it safer?
Posted by: Valcia | May 7, 2008 7:34:42 AM
sorry about the double post...
Posted by: Valcia | May 7, 2008 7:35:17 AM
These men are so pathetic it's disgusting. Quit worshipping your damn genitals and try being human beings instead of dogs.
Mentally ill people will find a way to justify anything disfuctional they do.
Posted by: mme.alexis | May 7, 2008 7:38:48 AM
sorry about the double post...
Posted by: Valcia | May 7, 2008 8:00:58 AM
"Mentally ill people will find a way to justify anything disfuctional they do."
Like neurotically hating all men only because they're men.
Posted by: A.V. | May 7, 2008 9:29:01 AM
I just think it is interesting that the women are really being kept out of this discussion. The assumption is that these women *want* to prostitute themselves. Many are runaways who have drug & alcohol problems...who grew up into a world of hooking. They don't have any other skill to make money, don't have any support, and are stuck.
I would rather spend time and money helping these women get off the street and learn how to have real jobs. Get them counseling. Something.
Women aren't doing this b/c it is a great way to make money. They are doing it out of desperation. And that is sad to me.
Why jail these women? Get rid of the men and the pimps, who generally get out of prosecution as well...then you might seem some changes.
Men who frequent hookers are just sad. Sex is that important to you? Really? Just disgusting and sad. Get a life, buy some porn, find a girlfriend.
Posted by: person | May 7, 2008 9:30:38 AM
We need to get over this puritanical attitude we Americans have towards sex and drugs.
Prostitution is legal is most of Europe. They have no pimps, no street walkers, and fewer STDs than we do.
They also have more liberal alcohol and drug laws, and fewer problems there, as well.
I am mostly conservative, but we have it wrong on these issues, people.
Posted by: WhoKnew? | May 8, 2008 6:29:51 AM
puritanical attitude we Americans ...
And what puritanical country would that be?
The one that splat Brittney's lady parts all over the Web?
The one that puts up mile wide treetop tall billboards with boobs aplenty advertizing strip clubs, the franchised Lion's Dens, and Dunkin Donuts?
The one where Lil Kim is considered over dressed if she puts *two* pasties on?
The one where Madonna was photographed hitchhiking in nothing but high heels, sunglasses and a handbag?
The one where you can get Call in sex therapy?
The one with where Dan Savage, Mistresse Matisse, and hundreds others make their entire living from yakking their heads off about sex?
Posted by: nellagain | May 8, 2008 7:05:43 AM
nell, I think WK? means the one where there was a *major* meltdown over a Super (sacred) Bowl Halftime Nip slip, and $8,000 satin robe for Lady Justices' mammaries, etc. I think the word is more schizophrenic than puritanical, in light of your many fine examples. I would like to see a sustained and balanced study done by Really Good Researchers with America's Sexual Schizophrenia as the thesis.
Posted by: sometimesilie | May 8, 2008 7:14:38 AM
STS, Excellent description and thought about Sexual Schizophrenia. It is really extreme.
One other thing I thought of while contemplating all this high minded discourse about legalizing prostitution (which frankly I care little about, the problems commonly associated with prosititution aren't caused by its legal status) Here's a simple question.
Male or Female -- If prostitution were legal, would you marry a sex worker? Would you be able to tolerate your spouse continuing as a sex worker as a career (kids in day care, the whole bit, just as if s/he were a office manager or a rising ad executive)?
I recuse myself from this question because I won't marry for any reason whatever.
Posted by: nellagain | May 8, 2008 7:37:39 AM
nell, I, hmm...No. No I would not marry a sex worker. I find it a bit difficult to picture marrying anyone, but for the sake of argument, I´ll pretend.
There is something of a raw O´Henry like feel to one partner working as a Sex worker to pay for Little Timmy´s ailing heart medication, quite another for it to be for the extra couple hundred thread count sheets. I wouldn´t say it was a bad idea, in fact my attitude is no different from say, contemplating marriage with a Colonic Therapist. That sort of stuff just ain´t for me, but I´m not about to tell anyone else it´s not for them (Aww, Shucks, what´s next, a man marray-ing a dawg, e-yuk)
I could see Trent Reznor, or Pat Burrell (Phillies left player whose batting soundtrack has been ¨Fame¨for the past 3 seasons.) Marrying a lady of the night, but I am slightly more of a domestic than I am a Rock star. Maybe when I was 17 through 25 and slightly taller. :)
nell, I think this question and topic would make for a whole book full of delicious metaphors.
Posted by: sometimesilie | May 8, 2008 7:58:45 AM
"I would rather spend time and money helping these women get off the street and learn how to have real jobs. Get them counseling. Something.
Women aren't doing this b/c it is a great way to make money. They are doing it out of desperation. And that is sad to me."
-------------------------
And people flip burgers because they like it?
Posted by: Ace | May 11, 2008 5:12:24 AM
