53 replies to this topic

[WannaGo]

By the way, this bit from the Chicago Tribune seems relevant to the conversation:

The Cook County sheriff's police detained three women from Thailand on suspicion they had been coerced to engage in prostitution across the U.S. in the last three weeks as part of an international prostitution ring.

The women said operators of the ring confiscated their passports, demanded $60,000 for their return and then forced them into prostitution in San Francisco, New York, Texas and Chicago.

[Wino]

WannaGo, on 18 October 2009 - 08:40 PM, said:

I take it, then, given the way you feel, that you never patronize the prostitutes, male or female, in Thailand?

Whether I patronize the services of a prostitute, or not, is not the point I am trying to make. I sympathize with the young prostitute that is unwittingly lured into this age-old profession. Some tend to lay blame on the poor prostitute, saying they consciously wanted to go in this direction. That is a very simple outlook, which in my book, is not correct.

[WannaGo]

Wino, on 19 October 2009 - 01:46 PM, said:

Whether I patronize the services of a prostitute, or not, is not the point I am trying to make. I sympathize with the young prostitute that is unwittingly lured into this age-old profession. Some tend to lay blame on the poor prostitute, saying they consciously wanted to go in this direction. That is a very simple outlook, which in my book, is not correct.

I haven't seen anyone laying all the blame on the prostitute, and everyone seems to be in agreement that there is nothing simple about it. And it does seem that, given the way you feel, you then logically would make the choice not to use the services of prostitutes.

[Wino]

WannaGo, on 20 October 2009 - 11:28 PM, said:

I haven't seen anyone laying all the blame on the prostitute.

When one talks about a choice, that implies the prostitute had free will in choosing the profession and therefore, in a sense, is to blame for his/her actions. I do not see it that way.

[lvdkeyes]

We do make choices in life, good, bad or indifferent. Many times we have to choose the lesser of two evils, but still, we make a choice and have to live with that decision unless we choose to change the circumstances.

[Wino]

My problem with the choice issue is that it appears to me, you are blaming the person for choosing a life of prostitution. As we all know it is not that simple. My sympathy lies with the young person that is lured into this life without knowing the full ramifications of their actions. I think socio-economic situation is more of a cause than choice. I wonder if the Thai people see it as a simple black and white issue of choice?

[lvdkeyes]

I was not placing blame; it is not blame unless you perceive it to be wrong.

[Wino]

Call it blame, call it responsibility, call it culpability, call it fault, call it whatever you like. The point is young people are lured into prostitution many ways and for many reasons. I don’t think it is a conscious choice for most. How many young prostitutes from Isaan do you think say, “I think I will go down to Pattaya and sell my body to fat, smelly foreigners?” Not many. Once they are caught up in that life, it is hard to get out.

[lvdkeyes]

I believe they do think, "I am going to Pattaya and have sex for money and get rich." Then they choose to go. They may or may not know what it all involves, but they choose to go without finding out the details.

[Wino]

I bet you think a homeless person chooses to be homeless!

[lvdkeyes]

Depending where the person lives, that is a distinct possibility.

[Wino]

lvdkeyes, on 22 October 2009 - 11:48 AM, said:

Depending where the person lives, that is a distinct possibility.

Oh no, no, no, no. It's a choice. It's a choice.

[lvdkeyes]

You know, you have had your say and I have had mine, now I think it's time to end this topic. At least, I won't comment again about it.

[Wino]

Let's agree to disagree.