Letters to the Editor
AlecsMom
Published Letters: 637 Editor's Choice: 18
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Research into Prostitution
[Read the article: Misadventures in logical reasoning -- and lessons learned from the Spitzer scandal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I just got to reading some of the many posts that referred to my comments from last night. I can't begin to answer them all but I'll respond in general here.
1) To the poster known as Silenced: Your stance about the nexus between prostitution, a disordered (and illegal) behavior, and abuse is disturbing. First, it is not supported by research evidence. Let's be very clear about that. Secondly, from your post you seem to be upset that anyone would conclude that abuse can drive disordered behavior. At any rate that was my impression of your post. I can only state again that you need to do some study on the subject beyond your own experience. The research into prostitution overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that many prostitutes enter the field, so to speak, as an extension of their abuse. As we all know, childhood abuse is both deeply destructive and has long-lasting effects.
My own education and training is in working with special needs children so I don't work with adults. However, I have worked in the past with children with emotional and behavioral disorders. One strong predictor for these disorders is trauma/neglect/abuse and I have direct experience working with children from these specific backgrounds. They act out, many times in sexual ways and at startlingly young ages. With proper suppports and interventions, many of these children can make progress to lead productive lives. Did Kristen get that help? I haven't read that from statements she and her family have made. I do know that she ran from home to escape abuse as a teenager so I suspect that she did not get the help that she needed.
2. I have repeatedly defied anyone on this board to locate research that suggests that prostitutes are not troubled people who do not, in fact, "choose" prostitution. Most are apparently quite desperate to leave the profession. Please reference the information located today on the NY Times editorial page about Spitzer's own work to increase penalties for the "johns." We all have our own opinions but the research gives us a far clearer picture than our own specific experiences or perspectives can.
3. Please also look up on phillynews.com the archived story on Dawn's Place (past 12 months). The story is about a shelter in Philadelphia, Dawn's Place, that helps women leave the profession of prostitution. Within the article are many sources of information about what drives women into prostitution and the difficulty of them leaving the profession due to a host of emotional, behavioral and psychological factors.
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NY Times Op-Ed
[Read the article: Misadventures in logical reasoning -- and lessons learned from the Spitzer scandal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/opinion/13kristof.html?hp
It's titled "Do as He Said."
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Good Article
[Read the article: What the Poling autism case means]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This article is an important clarification of a ruling that, if not carefully read, might needlessly scare parents.
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@LWM
[Read the article: Misadventures in logical reasoning -- and lessons learned from the Spitzer scandal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]No, you don't get it with all due respect. I have repeatedly argued that prostitution is not "victimless" regardless of the size of the paycheck. You are doing so.
Aside from the extensive research, I also pointed to the key witness against Spitzer as a prime example. Let's look at Kristen's history: Homeless runaway, abuse survivor, drug abuser. Oh and a very high-priced call girl. What then makes her situation so uniquely privileged? Please list all of her wonderful advantages in being a prostitute because they escape me right now.
Or do you think a young woman who has survived abuse in her childhood along with other behavioral and emotional struggles should simply be happy to sell her body to keep a roof over her head?
JMO: I want and expect far more for the Kristens of this world. She may be too young to know the many different ways to make a positive, healthy life for herself, but I hope she gets that help now. I certianly will not condone or give a pass to the men who exploited this young woman or women like her.
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@jayackroyd
[Read the article: Misadventures in logical reasoning -- and lessons learned from the Spitzer scandal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]What are your sources for that statement. Just because one type of sexual commerce is legal doesn't mean that it stamps out other types of abuses. For example, Amsterdam still has trafficked sex workers. Why is that?
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@LWM
[Read the article: Misadventures in logical reasoning -- and lessons learned from the Spitzer scandal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The research into prostitution supports and informs my perspective.
What research informs your personal perspective? Are you a client or a sex worker? Frankly, I fail to see what insight you could possibly bring when you utterly refuse to address the real lives of women involved in prostitution as evidenced by the research data.
Here's a link to help you begin the process of educating yourself about the profession:
http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/c-prostitution-research.html
If you have any research to show me that indicates that prostitution is not heavily influenced by factors such as abuse, addiction, psychological problems, poverty, etc.. please let me know. I am reading your posts waiting to see a response NOT based on your personal opinion.
Bottom line: I find it an unethical stance to state that prostitutes are essentially free agents who should be able to choose to sell their bodies. They are not free when their behavior is driven by powerful and destructive forces such as abuse, addiction, mental illness and poverty. No one chooses to be afflicted by those conditions either.