Would legalizing the world's oldest profession
stop "massage parlors".
On November 13th, Covington, LA police arrested three women for allegedly running a prostitution ring out of a massage parlor on U.S. 190. This is just the latest in a string of ongoing investigations and recent arrests of prostitutes working in “massage parlors” from Pennsylvania to Arizona. Professional massage therapists, who are often affected by this negative publicity as prostitutes use legitimate massage as a front for sex services, are expressing their opinions on this seemingly never ending problem. In reviewing the dozens of responses received one thing is evident: The majority of massage therapists who responded agree that legalizing prostitution should be considered as a way to stop illegal businesses from using legitimate massage as a front for sex.
All names below have been changed to protect the privacy of the respondents.
Susan a state massage board member and massage therapist says, “I've been saying this forever. If people could look in the phone book and call a prostitute, they wouldn't be calling us. Get these people a board and a practice act and let them pay taxes just like the rest of us.”
Tammy, a business owner and massage therapist agrees that we should legalize prostitution and adds, “I've had people tell me that they were nervous in seeking out massage offices for fear it was actually a place of prostitution.”
Tom, a business owner and massage therapist has a minority dissenting opinion saying, “Absolutely not. Making something legal does not change its morality or lack thereof. Secondly, many licensed female massage therapists provided "extra's", legalizing prostitution will not stop these "therapists" from providing the extras since they won't want to be considered prostitutes so our profession will still be marginalized…. I live in (Arizona) and the majority of the women who are providing extra services are doing so because they can't make it on piddly pay. It is a pricing issue and nothing else.”
A follow up to this article will be posted later in the week with more comments from massage therapists through out the nation. Please feel free to comment on this article if you have an opinion on this controversial subject.
Do you think we should legalize and regulate prostitution nationwide? Take our quick poll.
All information and advice published by Steve is general in nature only and should not be used as specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor for medical advice. All articles are copyrighted to Steve Ibach and may not be reproduced without his written consent.
If you would like to receive updates via email whenever the Massage Therapy Examiner publishes a new article please click SUBSCRIBE at the top of the article. You can contact Steve at the email address on his profile page.
Comments
The argument for legalizing prostitution is a slippery slope. Utilitarian arguments for moral issues is a mistake. Crime Doesn't Pay. Well, what if a particular crime does pay? Should it be OK to participate in it?
If we are to continue to develop our society into something that will enable future children to live fruitful, satisfying lives, we must develop at least a core set of common values that lie at the heart of a good life. However, most of the powerful forces in the world these days are devoted to making people better consumers and spenders rather than better people.
I can understand why legitimate Massage Therapists may wish Prostitution was not using their profession for a front, but legalizing it is wrong-headed.
-Greg
I agree with Greg!!! Ditto.
I think they should legalize it. What's the difference between a prostitute, male or female, and being in the pornography business- only the lack of a filming crew. People in pornography are paid to participate in adult activity, so tell me, what is the difference? I don't know that legalizing prostitution is the complete answer, but it's a start.
In almost all the world in private consenting adult prostitution is legal with no registration or other requirements at least for outcall with no real negative issues. Women in charge of their own business, they already are required to pay taxes just like anyone. We don't need the horrible legal brothels of Nevada where the houses are the pimp.
While outcall is legal in almost all the world except the U.S., incall varies from only 1 gal per flat in the U.K. to huge public brothels in New Zealand, Australia etc.
This has nothing to do with street hookers, trafficking etc. But in private consenting adults, legal almost worldwide except the U.S. and in my view is a benefit to a society to get legal, safe sexual outlet.
In my country -The Netherlands- prostitution is legal and the prostitute has to pays VAT.
I think this is very oke, this people do good jobs, and actually it is a very old job, much older than coputer specialist of bank director. It is quit save for woman to walk on the streets in the Netherlands and I think our free laws about prostitution has something to do with the savety, especialy for women.
Anyway, we as massage-therapist still get questions to do sexual services.
So do not have any illusion that 'massage' and 'prostitution' are absolute seperate worlds after legalisation. Only it will be more clear.
As long as we as massage-therapists let see our clients our clean but cosy rooms, clean cloths, no nail polish on the hands, carefull with make-up, better look like a docter than like a prositute, our profession will keep a good name. World wide.
Actually, I think it should be legalized, unregulated, and not taxed.
Tom,
libertarian
I am a therapist and I think if it is to be legal then it should be regulated, and taxed like every other JOB. I am so tired of being compared to a prostitutes. Let them be legal, just like everyone else and pay for their licence and be taxed;.
I am a medical massage therapist. It happens alot in MI that no matter how professional and healthcare focused I am, I'm treated like I could be a front for prostitution. My response is stalwart education and activism for the advancement of women. A woman's value and self esteem, and her ability to earn a living are what is at issue here.
It is not A REMEDY to give in to the violence and sexual dysfunction of prostitution. We DO need a new dialogue in this country about marriage, sex, bonding, bi-sexuality, etc. But legalizing prostitution will only sweep the diaglogue under the rug. Prostitution, like battering, like any violent crime...is a crime. It is against the needs of all humanity to engage in sex without bonding, without relationship, without spiritual awareness.
There are many prostiution businesses in Maricopa County, some are women who have been given the "opportunity" to come to America with the promise of a "job" to help repay the "debt" to a human trafficker..a debt which can never fully be repaid. Other women choose to get into the industry by the lure of quick tax-free cash, with no other concern. All of it, however, is illegal and tremendously damages the massage therapists reputation -- one who is called to a wellness/healing profession.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!