Dear Banjo,

I've had a re-think about your question: Should visas be issued to foreign sex workers?

My answer is - Yes.

It is an entirely moral judgement for Immigration to say that a woman can come to Australia and work underpaid in a restaurant, clothing factory, or be an underpaid cleaner but cannot legally visit our country and be employed in a legal brothel - where she can be awarded the same protection as Australian workers in the sex-industry.

Foxy,
Firstly, I hope that your posting is an indication of positive response to treatment. In any case you have my best wishes. You and I have disagreed on a couple of issues, but we can have differing opinions. I have found your posts to be informative and interesting.

On topic.
As I understand it, the Government is considering the matter of 457 visas for foreign sex workers. The faction of sex workers that work in the legal brothels do not support the issuing of the visas,on the grounds that it will take business from them. The faction of sex workers, called Scarlet Alliance (Australian sex workers Association) made up of the illegal sex workers, is lobbying the Gov for the introduction of the 457 visas. They claim it will reduce humsn trafficing and that sex work is a legimate occupation. I don't know why they would want extra competition.

457 visas would certainly make it legal for foreigners to ply their trade here.

I would not want a daughter of mine to be a sex worker,for safety reasons. She may like the job and the earnings and the work hours, but she is far more vulnerable for abuse. I don't know what security arrangements legal brothels have to protect the workers. Also her risk of getting STD is a lot higher. Having said that, there are other occupations I would not like a daughter to engage either, for reasons of safety, difficulty and uncleanliness.

I wonder how other religions see prostitution. I am aware of the Christian view. It is about 50 years since I did any bible study but I do not recall if there is a direct commandment, or if the view was formed later by church leaders. I recall that Jesus blessed a prostitute named Mary Magnalin (spelling). So apparently Jesus did not find them dirty or below him.

Many other women accept 'payment in kind' for sex. Be it gifts or a roof over their head. There have benn many marriages of convienience.

So I don't think love is a pre-requisite for sex.

WOOOOOOOAH there young Yabby.. "Christians have a problem with sex period" ? *slap* :)

I disagree. Some might, but thats because of a skewed faith understanding.

What we have a 'problem' with is ... fornication promiscuity and adultery. And its not 'we' who have a problem with it.. it's God Almighty.

Prositution goes back to the first women who saw she could make extra bucks from it, for reasons of poverty alleviation or wealth enhancement.
But it spilled over into Cult Prostitution and was associated with idol worship/fertilty gods and it involved both male and female cult prositutes. During Jesus time the cult of Dionysius was alive and well.

The interesting fact though, is that once the door was opened to such immoral activities, it led to much worse.. involving horrific cruelty to both animal and human.
BACK 2 THE QUESTION.

LEGALLY
The question itself raises a ramification of the whole question of 'Prostitution legalization'.. to be legally consistent of COURSE it should be included in the 457 visa program IF.. there is a 'skills shortage'... which I rather doubt.

MORALLY absolutely not! The very idea of human beings selling their bodies for the sexual satisfaction of others, it degrading, and dehumanizing. Oh wait..thats just our Creators view... don't mind Him.

Even if foreign women or men were allowed here for prositution purposes, it would not change the fact that once the new goal posts have been positioned.. they will represent a 'limit/boundary' that people will want to transgress and cross, for the sake of further financial gain.

While we cannot stamp out prostitution by the force of law, we can sure limit it, and make a community declaration that "This is immoral, evil and illegal"

If we take the view 'currently unnaceptable' then it's open slather for whatever people want.. you know..'loudest, most well funded voices' kind of thing

Dear Banjo,

Thank you for your kind words. And for asking about my health. The results so far are good. I remain positive.

We may have disagreed on some issues - but your arguments were always valid and well made.

As you know I enjoy the Forum discussions - and this one looks like it's going to get quite interesting.

The subject is certainly one that should provide some mixed reactions.

Which is great.

Do we want more STDs in our society?Why do you want to have sex with someone with whom you have no emotional attachment?This image driven society sees power in having sex with their perceived physically perfect female/male counterparts.It is really sick.

Masturbation is far cheaper,honest and safer,until you have the courage to have a relationship with someone who can give you a deeper perception of self.

Dear Arjay,

Kingley Davis (1996) argues that, like other institutions in our society, prostitution exists because it must have some effect, or function, that contributes to the maintenance of society as a whole.

Both men and women, he claims have sound reasons for entering into the relationship.

From the point of view of the prostitute, the occupation offers some advantages: it can be less tedious and better paid than many alternative unskilled jobs, such as office cleaner or assembly-line worker, and there is often the possibility of forming relationships with high-status men.

From the point of view of the clients, prostitution provides a convenient opportunity for sexual contacts. Men who are away from home may find the prostitute a convenient substitute for their usual partners; men with unusual sexual preferences may find that prostitutes will cater to tastes that other women will not; and old or unattractive men may use prostitution as the only way to enjoy sex with a young and attractive woman.

Most importantly, these services involve no complications (safe sex is practiced in legal brothels), obligations, or emotional entanglements. Prostitution, therefore, is functional, for it meets men's needs for a variety of sexual outlets without undermining the family system in the way that more affectionate and involved extramarital relationships would.

Having said all of that, the question arises - Prostitution may be "convenient" for men - but what is the long-term effect on the women of servicing the lonely, the kinky, and the ugly?