Prostitution
and the exchange of sex are licensed in Canada. In her article on prostitution
in Canada, Lang (2012) mentioned that there are no laws which consider sex trade as an illegal act. The past few months, prostitution has been a social issue in Canada, since that The Ontario Appeal Court has authorized prostitution
and the trading of sex. On the other hand, the legislation was narrowed and
controlled. It was permitted as long as no outdoor activities are involved. The Legislation aims to protect women by keeping them safe and
off streets (Doherty,Resenberg, Feldman, MasPherson, and Cronk JJ.A, 2012).
The music video " How To Love" by Lil Wayne tells a story of a
girl who has been physically and emotionally abused, for that she did
not experience love in her relationships with her surroundings. Throughout the
story, the video shows how the mother's choices in life shaped her daughter's
personality and her choices in life as well. The video continues to highlight
some of the events that made the girl become a prostitute, such as
the absence of her father and getting raped by her mother's ex male partner.The lyrics say that love is taught and learned. At the end of
the video, a flash back happens and some changes occur, such as not having any child abuse in her childhood and graduating from college, indicating how the
girl's life would have taken a different turn if she had experienced love,
caring, and tendency in her life (Lil Wayne, 2011).
In this blog, I am going to talk about the group of women who did not choose to be prostitutes and want to get out of the sex trade industry. Sextrade101 ; is a group of Canadian women who work as sex traders that started their own organization in 2007. The organisation was founded to educated people about the hidden face of prostitution.The group has it's own website that they use to communicate with others. Each female member of the Sextrade101 has her own unique story that includes many ups and downs, struggles, hardships, and battles. Just like the woman in the video, many women have been abused, raped, beaten, ignored, and taken for granted. In
general, women who work as prostitutes have been dragged into that field
because of the economic or social situations they have gone through in their
lives (Sextrade101).
A Marxist ideology view on prostitution is the only one that looks at prostitution as a social problem from an
economic perspective. Ericsson mentioned that Marxists argue that
prostitution is a result of the unjust capitalist system. For instance, they blame the system for creating
two social classes; the poor and the rich. Also, they explain that prostitution is linked to the wage or
monthly payment the woman get from the government (p.344). Moreover, Marxists blame the wealthy men
for the outgoing of prostitution, because they believe that rich men support
prostitution by taking a part in it (Ericsson, p.347). Furthermore, Marxists would view prostitution as it is liberated from the ethics and morals that have been set by the society and its members. They believe that the woman has not turned into a prostitute because she lacks self-respect, but because she needs the money in order to survive (Ericsson, p.344). They also argue that prostitution is linked
to poverty because most women who become prostitutes are victims of the economic
and financial situations they face. Therefore, earning money becomes an issue, so that is why
many women return to prostitution (Ericsson, p.347).
The trade of sex or prostitution is legal in Canada. There are no restrictions on prostitution unless it is outdoors. The Ontario Appeal Court agreed to provide a safe environment for prostitutes to work in (Doherty,Resenberg, Feldman, MasPherson, and Cronk JJ.A, 2012). A group of Canadian sex trader women founded an organisation to represent their voice and to change the stereotype people have about prostitution. Also, the organization aims to share the real image of prostitution with Canadian locals and citizens (Sextrade101).
-Farah
References:
Doherty,Resenberg, Feldman, MasPherson, and Cronk JJ.A. (March 26,
2012). Court of Appeal
for Ontario. Retrieved
Ericsson, L. (April, 1980). Charges Against Prostitution: An
Attempt a Philosophical
Assessment. The University of Chicago Press. 90(3).
Pages(335-348). Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2380575
Lang,G. (March
26, 2012). Prostitution in
Canada: You Can't Talk about It, But
You Can Do It. Canada.com.
Retrieved from http://o.canada.com/2012/03/26/prostitution-in-canada-you-cant-talk-about-it-but-you-can-do-it/
Sextrade101. (2012).
Hi Farah! I applaud you for taking on this subject. Prostitution is such a delicate subject in Canada. It's definitely one of those questions that people are either completely against because of ethics or absolutely for because of woman's rights. I agree that Marxism would see prostitution as a collective issue that is the result of an individual's position in society. Although there may be some exceptions, I also whole heartedly agree that prostitution is interconnected to poverty. I believe it can also be linked to a rough childhood or insecurity.
ReplyDelete~ Valerie
Hello Valerie,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I respect your opinion and I could not agree more with you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feeling about the issue. I think it is strongly connected to childhood and the experiences a person goes through. I can not believe I did not include that. Thank you for sharing
-Farah
Position has been around for a long time and I personally don’t think that it will stop happening any time soon. I think that no matter what laws, fines, and/or punishments are put into place it will continue to occur. One that note, I think that the main focus should be ensuring the safety of the prostitutes at all times. If prostitution is monitored in a specific place such as brothel, I think it will reduce the chances of violence from occurring, ensure that the prostitutes are being paid for their services and keep it off the streets and out of the public. If specific rules such as regular testing, use of protections and clean environments are put onto the monitored place then the safety of both the prostitute and their clients will be met. I was pleased the read that the aim of the legislation is to protect women by keeping them safe and off streets. As you said in your post some women prostitute to ensure that there is food on the table for their children and feel that no one has a right to judge these women for their choices.
ReplyDeleteKristen – Mental Illness Group
Hello Kristen,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I like how you think. I believe that you are absolutely right about providing a safer environment for prostitute. However, I think that the people and the government should work together to at least lessen this issue. I think that all women out there and specially single working mothers should be supported by education and valuing them. Prostitution is always linked to women for some reason though most of the times men are the ones who are running this business.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I have learned from what you wrote.
-Farah
This is such a sad topic, and I do agree with you and Valerie in that prostitution is often linked to poverty. I just find it absoultely heart-breaking that women feel that they need to sell themselves and let people treat them as objects to earn money. Everyone deserves the right to fair, dignified work. I believe that the solution is not to make prostituion more safe and private. Although this is beneficial in the sense that the women are more physically protected, it still feeds into the vicious cycle of poverty and prostitution. I think a better approach would be to create viable alternatives to earning money, and other government programs. I would hope that if other options were readily available, women would not have to consider prostitution as even an option, or that women who find themselves in that situation could get out of it. As Valerie metnioned, I too think that prostitution can be linked to insecurity, and selling your body for money will not solve that peronal issue. It will only compound it, and create other problems.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that these women should not be judged, as Kristen says, putting greater controls and protections on prostitution protects only their physical health. Their mental, emotional and spiritual states are still being compromised.
-Selina
Hello Selina,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I totally agree with you. There is nothing I can add after what you have said! Exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks again!!
-Farah
I agree with Kristen in the fact that prostitution has been around for a long time and it will continue to be around in years to come. Due to this fact I also believe safety is an important issue that needs to be dealt with. It would seem that there are much larger issues that lie beneath prostitution, these issues need to be overcome before prostitution can be overcome. I think that the larger issues are so extensive that if we can deal with the issue of safety we should. In allowing prostitution to occur in a monitored place, this reminds me of the harm reduction model used in substance abuse. I think that it is a positive move for legislation to be concerned with the safety of such individuals involved in this type of work.
ReplyDeleteAlissa B- mental illness group
Hello Alissa,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I agree with you about that "these issues need to be overcome before prostitution can be overcome". As you said, we need to figure out what the causes are.
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
-Farah
Well, I think every one has said all of the right points about this topic, it is saddening to see so many women feel like they have to sell their body in order to provide their basic needs. I know a few of the female workers in our city, and it really does break your heart to see how they change their thought patterns in hopes to feel better about what their doing to themselves, which is why I think many of them chose to turn to substance abuse; to numb the emotional pain. Poverty truly has stolen many people's inner souls, and brought them to such a low point that they would do, sell, or take anything they can in order to survive. If we don't want this type of life for our children then serious changes in our current social structure need to happen, and quickly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Farah for your indepth look on this subject, not many people take enough time to analyze the inner workings of how people survive when all they know is pain and abuse.
-Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
What you have shared is at some point personal. Therefore, I respect you for sharing it and for saying it out loud.
I totally agree with you that we need to do something about it because it may become cultural.
Thank you again.
-Farah
Since Sault Ste. Marie has dealt with prostitution issues, I believe this matter is also occurring in other small cities. It was a shock to me when I first heard of prostitution happening on Gore St, when the men who were getting caught are well known and family men in the Sault. It is so sad that women have to degrade themselves this low just to support their families because they have no other choice. I can’t understand that this hasn’t been taken more seriously in Canada, as it appears to be an increasing problem. Prostitution is a degrading issue, but the real focus should be trying to figure out why they are doing it. What past troubles have they experienced, is there a way to help them and how can we stop it.
ReplyDelete-Meri-Beth *
Hello Meri-Beth,
DeleteI totally agree with you. The problem should be traced and tracked down not ignored or hidden. I like the questions you have asked at the end.
I personally think that the first step into solving this problem is to take it seriously and admit that as a society, we have a problem; a dangerous one. Education is one thing that should be provided by the people and the government. As the quotes says "Do not give me a fish, teach me how to fish" , we must help people get out of their situation permanently and forever, so they can leave it behind and move on. And the journey goes on and on..
Thanks again.
-Farah
I agree with your post and think you did a great job. I believe that we should be working as a community to help these women. Although some do choose this way to obtain drugs or alcohol, maybe they don't know where to go to recieve help. Others do it because they have no other solution they can think of or have exhausted all other options. I personally live downtown and I sometimes see women out prostituting at 3pm in broad daylight which is absolutly shocking and heart breaking to see. Imagine how horrible, and desperate they must feel to be out in broad daylight doint something that they are aware society shakes a finger at. I believe if these women were given more support it would not stop it all together but would help at the very least some of these women.
ReplyDeleteErica
Dear Erica,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I could not agree with you more. As you have said, nobody would want to sell their body and get money in return. It is very un-fair. I mean, in a different life situation, anyone of us who did not have the access to education and who lacks money could go down that road as well.
-Farah
With how difficult it is to get a job here, and how little money social welfare programs give you to survive, I'm surprised prostitution isn't more of an issue in the Sault. Obviously there are prostitutes here and there, and women who work at the Studio, but up until now I wasn't aware that prostitution was legal in Ontario. It makes me sad to think that some women have to resort to the means of selling their body just to be able to support themselves, and it's even more shocking when they're a single mother trying to sustain their kids as well. I'm glad you brought up this social issue, and it was very interesting to read about. I feel that it's not just a poverty issue, but a personal issue as well. It has been shown that in many studies, people become prostitutes not just for the money, but for the self-gratification of feeling love, if can call it that. It's an interesting social issue to talk about, and I'm glad you wrote about it.
ReplyDelete-Spencer (poverty group)
Dear Spencer,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I totally agree with you. It is very shocking to know that prostitution in Ontario is legal. I mean, you could never think about it nor it would occur to you unless if someone talked to you about it or you have actually seen it happening. Yes, I also agree with you that it is not just about the money. Many of the prostitute have low self-esteem and have lack of love and caring throughout their lives.
Thanks again!
-Farah
I definitly agree with you. Poverty and prostitution are commonly linked. The number of prosititues in Sault Ste. Marie are increasing due to lack of jobs, mothers not being able to support their children, or because of drug addictions. This is becoming a large issue in general. You used to only hear about the prositition downtown, but it is now visually seen throughout the day, and even more at night. I believe if some of these woman had more options for support that we could take some of them off the streets and have them back on a positivce route. We need to find out more about why they are where they are, and help them with those issues instead of just judging them. Not all woman who are prostitues choose to do that.
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteThank you for commenting!
I totally agree with you. We need to understand where they are coming from and the reason why they are who they are. We all do things from a reason, to achieve a certain goal. As you said, I also think that not all of the people who are involved in prostitution decided to take a part of it. Some are being forced into becoming a part of that industry.
-Farah
I personally do not agree with prostituion. From reading and researching about the issues involved in poverty I can understand why some women choose this profession. For example living on social assistance does not really pay your bills. So alternative ways to support themselves are explored
ReplyDeleteBut if there was proper programming to meet the needs of these women I believe they would not have to resort to such extreme measures to support themselves and their families.
Jen.M
Hello Jen,
DeleteThank you for commenting
You have got a good point there. However, not all women are educated and strong as you are. And that is where we as a society stand with each other and support one another. Women like you can not only be great supporters to those women, but also can be their role models and their inspiration to hold on and not to lose their way.
Sadly, doing the right thing is hard and requires a lot of bravery.There are many obstacles. However, we always pay for the consequences of what we choose, whether our choices were right or wrong, or easy or hard.
-Farah
I am currently involved in a grass roots movement that is working with prostitution as safety concerns and exit strategies for the women involved in the sex trade. Sault Ste Marie has a very large prostitution population, much of which is "underground" and which also includes males and children. For us, we have found that even before safety measures can be taken, education must first happen. Misconceptions towards the sex trade run rampant and until people start to see the facts behind both the sex trade and the individual, nothing will change. Blogs like this, and social workers talking, advocating, and educating is hte first step in bringing a halt to the needless suffering that is happening.
ReplyDeleteLarissa C
Hello Larissa,
DeleteThank you for commenting
I totally agree with you.
The first step is educating women and the society as a whole. Just because we do not see it, that does not mean that it does not happen or exist.I believe that we need to consider supporting those women, with understanding and an open mind.
-Farah
Hi Farah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog entry and I really especially that prostitution was now legal in Canada. I really liked how you touched on the root causes of why women might turn to prostitution such as the abuses they may have faced, lack of opportunities in education and in the work force. And I really see how the cycle of poverty plays in this issue as women who choose this profession often times see themselves as not having any other choice. I agree with your Marxist analysis of prostitution in that he looks at it as a social problem cause by the economic situations in which people live.
Hoda