Saturday, March 20, 2010

T 5:40pm

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I have a lot of friends that are strippers and a few that are porn stars and even escorts. Although the aforementioned figures are overwhelming, I know more about the industry than what I am reading.

Lets begin by talking about the strippers. Strippers are very highly paid for what they do. Dancers get paid per dance and don’t have to do anything in the private booth if they choose not to. Clients are not ever allowed to touch the dancer in the booth, and if this rule is ever breeched, there are “bone crushers” standing outside the doors to deal with these clients accordingly. Although some find the profession degrading, I think that they are simply forming their ideas off of others say on the industry. Stripping is also an easy way to get ahead in life. That is not to say that there are not negative phycological affiliations with this line of work. The money and fame is addicting.

Now, pornographic acting is a little bit different. The money is good, and a high percentage of strippers are porn stars as well. Nevertheless, this involves sexual intercourse and one can contract a disease in doing so with individuals they do not know personally. Although most companies force actors into having an STS/HIV examination done one month before the shoot, that is not to say that they will be sexually inactive for the next month and not pick something up in that time frame; not to mention that HIV can take up to three months to show up in the blood of an individual. So even if the test states that the individual is HIV negative, the individual may actually be positive, yet not have the condition fully developed, wherein they can still pass the disease to others through sexual activity.

As for escorting services (a euphemism for prostitution), I find this work very dangerous for several reasons. A major reason is potential STD/HIV infections. Another major reason is the possibility of rape/murder. Nevertheless, I don’t believe that the work itself should be illegal. If an individual feels that they want to market sex, why should the government tell them they cannot do so. I think that there should simply be designated areas, such as sex clubs, where these individuals can do their work in a safer environment. Although the STD/HIV situation still stands present in this option, that is a risk the escort would have to take if they wish to perform in this line of work.

So where do I stand? Stripping is a totally ingenious way of getting ahead in life. Pornographic acting and escorting on the other hand is risky business and I wouldn’t suggest someone pursuing them, yet they should remain/become legal.

Jake Torano said...

I've met people that have participated in prostitution, and pornography, and for some reason or another, they all seem to have deep seated problems with themselves. It's no wonder that in a society dominated by men, that are women are subject to the cruelest forms of exploitation so commonly. there are a great deal of women and men, however, that approach the commercial sex industry for a little fun for cash, with seemingly no consequences, and that makes it hard for people to draw the line between them and someone who is in the same position, under different circumstances, and is completely miserable and exploited. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to distinguish capitalism at it's best, from cruel sexual exploitation, even to the people participating in it. There are a great deal of women who have used prostitution as a easy way to make cash, only to find themselves later victimized, and filled with regret. since adult pornography will always continue to exist in our society, the only real solution is to continue to try to prevent illegal child pornography and prostition, and try to understand that the individuals in the commercial sex industry (in america at least) are responsible for themselves just like everyone else, regardless of their choices.

Alfredo Triff said...

Michael, stripping is hardly human trafficking. We're talking about deceptions, kidnappings, physical abuse, drug inducement, forced child prostitution. This is not a reality about willing young women trying to move ahead, but horrible stories of women being brutalized.

April D said...

Human Trafficking is a serious problem that has been gaining momentum in the last 50 years making it nearly impossible to crack down on world wide. The Yakuza control much of the tourism and sex trade market because there can be much more money extracted from this form of business than other illegal avenues. For example, David Kaplan implies in "Yakuza Japan’s Criminal Underworld", “Unlike drugs and guns, a prostitute’s service can be sold again and again.” (238). Kaplan also points out that Not only is the sex business profitable, but penalties are less severe than those for moving guns or drugs.” (238). This provides a sound business venture when thinking only about dollars and is one of the main reasons why it continues today. What they do is recruit and transport young girls from various countries by enticing them with promises of legitimate work to help feed their struggling families. When they do get to these brothels and realize why they are there, it is too late. These girls are young, scared, and heavily sedated so they are in no frame of mind to find a way out. The younger the girls are the more money these traffickers can get. If they are virgins the price goes up. Poverty drives their families to force their daughters to go with no questions asked in hopes to receive monetary benefits from their blood sweat and tears as if they were livestock. Unfortunately the bottom line is women still seem to be expendable in many countries which leads to generations of abuse and toleration. It's a vicious cycle that promotes self hatred and continually devalues our self image which feeds the sex industry damaged women who have no idea what they are worth.

Anonymous said...

Melody Rosado
Women need to stand up and shout. So many rapes and molestations are kept in the hush. I know many women who have been sexually assaulted and have never said anything. It is so hard to feel violated. Being a stripper is a choice people say "well I need to feed my kids" I know darn right there are allot better jobs that you can feel proud about yourself and have dignity doing . $10 dollars an hour is not enough to raise a baby let alone yourself but there is always the government to help you. Most of the time women began prostituting to pay for their addiction to drugs and once they began prostituting they need the drugs to cover up all the pain that prostituting brings. Any which way you look at it sex is a huge industry in the world it’s a sad but true fact. This is a big reason I don’t want to have kids in this backwards world we live in.

Ileana said...

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, and women. Sex Trafficking or prostitution the recruitment,transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years.
a lot of people is not aware of how manny kids are exploted because of sex, somentimes the percentage of this situation is npot posted for the public and they can be aware of what is happening in our society. Many young girls became prostitus because people offered to them that they will working as a model which is not true and they pay their airline ticket and them when they are in the country they see the reality. Many of the times is ignorance that young people dont want to know what will be the consequences.
Ileana

Elizabeth Molina said...

Why do we still struggle with these horrible issues in the Twenty-First Century? Simple... because we live in a world where women are exploited for sexual pleasure. People are desensitized towards these women, such as prostitutes because of their profession. Many people find it incredulous that there are child prostitutes out there. There are MOTHERS, and I use that term lightly, who have sold their young daughters to men right here in Miami. Yes, an eight year old girl was raped by a 49 year old man so the mom could earn $50.00 right on Biscayne Blvd.
It happens! That is why I found it very disturbing when a discussion on the director Roman Polanski who raped a 13 year old actress showed that many students actually sympathized with this man. It is one thing when a grown adult woman decides that she wants to exploit herself in this manner. But I find it unfortunate that children are being sexually abused for the pleasure of adults.

April D said...

Women are exploited for MONEY... not pleasure. Money and power over our minds, bodies, and natural born powers. There needs to be a revolt worldwide. More detailed investigations on businesses connected to businesses that profit from these human trafficking rings. There needs to be a severe blacklisting of anyone or any business entity that is associated in any way with foul play. Stocks and profits of these companies should be divvied up and distributed to these girls and their families.(.. the ones we can trace at least.) At the end of the day this is a business and a successful one at that, so to properly dismember it one must focus more on the inside operations. By narrowing down the major people and legal companies that profit from these terrible memories maybe we could really lean on these A-holes and diminish the exasperating impact it has caused to date.

Anonymous said...

Erick Tinoco

It makes me furious to know the fact that human trafficking exists. i have three sisters and just to think they could become a victim troubles me. ruthless employers exploit, abuse,and maltreat young women for their own financial gain. this is a global problem that must be dealt with with more intensity. It is a common practice to persuade a young woman to leave home and to move to a wealthier neighboring country where she can work in domestic service, child or adult care, or as a waitress in a restaurant or a bar, or perhaps as a dancer. Upon arrival, her passport, visa, and return tickets are taken from her and, effectively, she is imprisoned, either physically or financially or mentally. She is made to work as a domestic slave or as an agricultural or factory worker, under slave-like conditions, or in a brothel. She sees virtually none of the money that she earns, and eventually she will be sold.

Thomas kennedy said...

Since the beginning of civilization women have been oppressed. The bible casts blame on eve for committing the original sin by biting out of the forbidden apple. So is it any surprise that woman have suffered so much throughout history? The inequality is still here with us to this day and it will take a long time until equal playing field is established (though slowly but surely, things seem to be moving in the right direction). The best we can do for now is to empower women and tackle the issues that affect them head on... as for prostitution it is the "worlds oldest profession" so it's not going anywhere... i think the best thing to do is to legalize it that way its safer for the women involved and the criminal elements usually involved with prostitution dont manifest themselves.

Fanny Martinez said...

Many years ago women were not able to do many thing including reading or speaking up. Now days women are the number one target for abuse in many levels and ways since we are the "week sex".

I have never had a chance to meet someone that has been thru this and the truth is I was kind of ignorant to the issue until i watched a movie called "human traffic" which broke my heart in many pieces. Human traffic is a huge mafia today and i personally think that its not stopped or avoid completly because it involves extreme amounts of money and its sad but i am 100% sure that many people from the goverment, police, politics, etc.. benefit from this. NOT ALL OF THEM but some.

I also have to add that many parents dont take care of there children as they did in the past. And with this being said most of these girls walk themselfes into these problems without even thinking about the danger it might bring.

Anonymous said...

jessica James
Human trafficking is out of control. the other day i seen a documentary on Human Trafficking on MSNBC. There were sting operations to find girl selling themselves and in some cases the men behind it "pimps". There were girls as youngs as 11. it was sad to see that that happnes in the world. in some cases it is the women fault for her to degrade her self and do those acts for money. But what about the young girls who have been kidnapped from somewhere and are forced in the prostitution ring? Its not until police set up a sting to find them or they run away. in most cases some are unfortuneate and end up dead. i like the idea on MSNBC the undercover cops were finding these women and offering them programs to go to and shelter from there pimps. thats a good solution instead of throwing them in jail. only question is how will there be funding for all these women who decide to escape that harsh life?

Anonymous said...

Luis Canales

Let me start by separating American prostitution/stripping and pornographic acting from this same activities anywhere else in the world. Just by being in America makes the job simpler. Here a killer would think it twice before hurting the sex worker, in other places they wouldn't hesitate to take the life of the sex worker for pure amusement, this is really sad. But lets not focus on the risk but in the studies about rape history and psychological abuse to the sex worker (before they became sex workers). Yes, for what i know and according to my little research i can conclude that most people in this working area have been abused in the past, and present some type of trauma and psychological conditions like bipolar ism. Not to mention worst things like unable to function normally due to drug's addiction and ext. And now that we know just a little bit of this person's conditions here's a personal opinion on the matter. Every time you have sex with ANYONE that present one of this symptoms your raping and molesting someone, this people had been threw hell and back, molested, rape, abused, probably abandoned, and they probably still lonely. Oh and yes they probably do get a lot of money in their area, but is not worth the life style, right? However, everyone should be able to decide what to do with their life's, the government shouldn't had to tell you that your not aloud to exercise a certain profession, just do know your facts and consequences before making a decision.

Luis Canales

Gabriel Sebastian said...

Unfortunately, the US views prostitution as illegal and therefore this trade is mainly controlled by people within organized crime. Making millions of dollars from this industry and having nothing to regulate them. I say prostitution is “unfortunately” illegal, because it happens so often and is widespread. Last year we saw Attorney General Elliot Spitzer get busted and ridiculed in shame for his involvement with a call girl. The same has happened to to other highly recognized public figures. On the other hand, Nevada and countries like Amsterdam, where prostitution is regulated has created standards and allowed for safer environments for people who wish to participate in this activity. These women are also tested frequently to keep their license active and must be free from STD’s and traces of drugs.
Should we allow ourselves to window dress our morality by setting up laws that are impossible to hold? Or accept that prostitution does go on and that people have the free will to choose to pursue this trade?
That being said, the problem runs deeper with human trafficking and the ramifications that come from
sexploitation creates deep scars that even when the sex slaves are liberated from their controllers they may still feel the need to continue within the subculture of the sex trade. Mental disorders like Stockholm’s syndrome, or addictions to Heroin and crack result in a vicious cycle that tend to finish tragically. The uncounted deaths of thousands of woman each year that are killed after they serve their purpose in 3rd world countries that could care less to stop this are another byproduct.
The problem also continues with families that are forced to turn their daughters into prostitutes due to economic disadvantages. Cuba has become famous for this where the “jineteras”, or young females and males are disgustingly sold off by their own families and forced to have sex with all types of men while their fathers and mothers calmly sit in the living room only say they may be able to provide for their families. I am more than positive the fathers' attitudes would be different if there was a better financial advantage, in other words, in a different setting, these fathers would not allow this to happen. In this case as in all, if the woman is to sell herself, it should be her choice, and to her best economic advantage.
Instead, for the safety of these women, many different rules can be placed. Easement of immigration, regulation of the industry by governments, sanctions on countries that turn a blind eye to the problem and taxes and levies on those that participate in the activity that would help support these organizations. In addition, the UN can classify such activities as capital murder and be allowed to pursue such individuals responsible across any border. If by giving people a “safe haven” where they can participate in prostitution, then those involved in human trafficking would find less of a financial advantage.
In closing I only have one counterexample, PROHIBITION. The only thing it served to do was to force people who enjoyed a drink to go underground into “speakeasies”. In turn it made infamous gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel and the father of President John. Kennedy extremely rich. The law also made many people sick or blind from drinking bootleg alcohol that was prepared using poisons like Aspartame. When considering the fact that prostitution is the oldest profession, one just needs to read the Bible to see that its been happening ever since horny men had money to spare. When considering, however, that human trafficking and forcing of women to degenerate themselves to becoming prostitutes against their will, then this is completely different and disgusting.

Donavan Ludwig said...

I dont feel sorry for women that get involved in prostitution at all. When are people going to stop acting like victims and take responsiblity for there actions or hold thier parents responsible. Are we suppose to believe that this is a solvable issue? I think it is a great option for the lazy and unmotivated.

Alfredo Triff said...

Donovan: I guess that makes you a radical libertarian. Is there a chance of trauma, coercion, history of domestic abuse, trafficking, etc.?

Unknown said...

Women have always been pushed to one side by society as mere tools of the men. What I mean is that what is expected of a women, is for them to cook, clean and please her man. So it is no surprise that a female barter system has existed since the dawn of time. It is morally wrong for humans to be sold either for money, sex to be used as sex slaves, servants and any other reasons I have failed to mention. However, the perverse and selfish society we live in will continue to advocate this behavior. Being kidnapped and sold off is not the only way of human trafficking exists, there is also voluntary forms of this action. With that said there is no real root of this problem that can be snipped off and terminated.
-Vanessa Serrano

Anonymous said...

I agree with some of the comments made about this topic, human trafficking has existed for many years and will continue. What is normal to some people is sick, abnormal and inhumane to the vast majority of our society. However, look at prostitutes it is a choice to sell themselves or look at they way a common teenager expresses his thoughts of a women as being a rag.

_Idania Guerra

Anonymous said...

I don't find prostitution wrong, however, there are many factors pertaining to prostitution that make it ethically wrong. That being said, child prostitution and sex slavery should be stopped as it probably exceeds everyone's morality. The problems concerning the rape of prostitutes doesn't necessarily bother me, though. I know it sounds like a contradiction but i don't have any sympathy for the problems they face if they are engaging in provocative and tempting activity. It's as if they chose their fate, so to speak.
In terms of the statistics posted, I wouldn't really trust those sources or any kind for that matter. We don't know if the majority of women confessing are still prostitutes and/or victims that willingly confessed compared to those that didn't. I'm sure rape and abuse of prostitutes is a huge factor but I highly doubt 80%. Then again, those are the least of our worries here. The main concern is child prostitution and sex slavery which is found everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I remember a couple of years ago on the news there was such a case in Miami when policemen breached a house that had Cuban immigrants that were minors being forced into prostitution.

Cristopher Dollar

Anonymous said...

David Acosta
Life is about choices. If someone chooses the prostitution trade as an easy way to make money and are taken advantage of, shame on them. However, for those who are taken as sex slaves demonstrates how horrible the human race can be. It appears that most of these people are taken advantage of because of their socioeconomic status. Unfortunately when it comes to ethics these people don't seem to have any. You have to wonder what this world is comming to.

Anonymous said...

Simone Miranda Mueller
I am very liberal and I dont' have any problems with prostitution. Human trafficking though, is a serious problem and connected not only with prostitutin, but also with "adaption", meaning human trafficking of infants for people who wish to become parents. As long as there is demand, there will be human trafficking and sex nowadays is one of the three major "moneymakers" in the world.
Woman have always been abused and violated and every woman should stand up instead of hiding. Something needs to be done...!