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The “particular demographics” who want to ban prostitution include “the majority of women.” https://www.vox.com/2016/3/11/11203740/prostitution-legal-me...

Women oppose legalized sex work at higher rates than men, because they’d be the ones who would encounter social pressure to do sex work in tough economic circumstances if it became normalized.



> Women oppose legalized sex work at higher rates than men, because they’d be the ones who would encounter social pressure to do sex work in tough economic circumstances if it became normalized.

There is a huge leap from "the majority of women oppose sex work" to "the majority of women oppose sex work BECAUSE if sex work was legal they would encounter social pressure to do sex work".

I have women in my life who oppose sex work decriminalization. Not a single one does because they worry they will encounter any social pressure to do sex work. Almost every single one does because they believe that coercion is very common, and the downsides to criminalization are minimal. And none of them have spent much time listening to actual sex workers talk about the effects of criminalization on their lives.

The women I know who are in favor of sex work decriminalization are very similar to the ones who oppose it but have spent more time listening to sex workers talk about the effects of criminalization. They understand that there is very little additional risk to someone who coerces another into sex work b/c of criminalization but far more additional risk to the sex worker.


> Women oppose legalized sex work at higher rates than men, because they’d be the ones who would encounter social pressure to do sex work in tough economic circumstances if it became normalized.

I don't think that's the only reason; even a few sex providers can distort the (mostly balanced) market for sex.

IOW, if men don't feel the need to date just to get sex then there's fewer men in the market. This means that women have to pay a higher price[1] for the available men, while the available men pay a lower price[2] for any specific woman.

[1] Be nicer, be more willing to engage in sex, etc.

[2] Be less committed, less involved, etc.


If a man wants to date just to get sex, then the woman missing that dating "opportunity" actually just dodged a bullet.


> If a man wants to date just to get sex, then the woman missing that dating "opportunity" actually just dodged a bullet.

I agree, but that still reduces the number of available men in the market, which was my point.


Women are probably more likely than men to have their spouse cheat on them with a prostitute. I bet that's part of it.




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