It's a service occupation with a lot of taboos attached. I don't have any problem understanding how love can be considered sacred, but sex and love are NOT the same thing. Sex is often separated from every other thing in life as sacred and secret and... just plain taboo. People teach their kids about all sorts of things, but they have to be 'old enough' for their parents to talk about sex. Why isn't it just a matter-of-fact thing like every other aspect of biology? Taboo...

I have a problem with people being forced against their will and that includes people who feel like the HAVE to turn tricks to make the money they need to survive. I don't have any problem whatsoever with people who choose to be sex workers.

I was a military public health technician in South Korea, where prostitution was illegal but ubiquitous and overlooked most of the time. Our office, the local 'businesswomen's' association and the local health authorities made sure the women were registered and had monthly health checks. This helped keep them free of disease and helped keep the guys they serviced free of disease. There were women who freelanced and we used to warn the guys about them because they weren't checked.

Some of these girls had had to leave their homes because of economic reasons, and likely wouldn't be welcome at home anymore. They made pretty good money and most that I talked to didn't have a problem with self-esteem. Some people tried to hand them a big load of shame, but the smart ones left it

Sex as a job can be demeaning and raunchy, mostly because that's how 'righteous' people view it, and sex workers can easily be marginalized and treated as pariahs.

Personally, I don't understand why anyone would choose to be a sex worker, but I don't understand why people choose to do a lot of the things they do. A thing shouldn't be illegal just because I, or anyone else doesn't understand it. So yeah, legalize prostitution - then organize. (right Mick?)