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From: 7103_2622@uwovax.uwo.ca (Eric Smith)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Legalization of Prostitution (bodies & rights)
Message-ID: <7684.27388aae@uwovax.uwo.ca>
Date: 8 Nov 90 03:29:02 GMT
References: <9011062253.0.UUL1.3#5129@willett.pgh.pa.us>
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I find it rather mind-boggling that we're discussing, in 1990, on a
feminist newsgroup, the question of whether or not the government should
have a say in a woman's choice of sexual partners. I don't think this
should be an issue at all. Whom a woman sleeps with, and why she sleeps
with them, should be none of the government's concern (unless coercion
is involved, of course -- in which case the coercer, NOT the woman, should
be punished for a crime).

I do understand that many women turn to prostitution because
of economic reasons, and are exploited by pimps, clients, etc. I fail to
see why this should make the woman a criminal. The proper response to this
is to provide viable job alternatives for these women. Those who choose
to remain prostitutes (for whatever reason) should keep the money they earn,
and receive police protection from pimps and unruly clients.

Being exploited shouldn't be a crime. Exploiting should.
--
Eric R. Smith                     email:
Dept. of Mathematics            ersmith@uwovax.uwo.ca
University of Western Ontario   ersmith@uwovax.bitnet
London, Ont. Canada N6A 5B7
ph: (519) 661-3638
--
Eric R. Smith                     email:
Dept. of Mathematics            ersmith@uwovax.uwo.ca
University of Western Ontario   ersmith@uwovax.bitnet
London, Ont. Canada N6A 5B7
ph: (519) 661-3638