We have previously discussed the curious definition of prostitution in this country. Many libertarians and others believe that consenting adults should be able to consent to such arrangements. My long-standing interest is the legal definition (and fairness) of the criminal code in defining prostitution. If someone agrees to have sex for money, they are arrested as a prostitute. However, if you accept money to have sex with multiple people in a porn movie, you are an actress. Now, Cheryl Cohen Greene, a 68-year-old grandmother and cancer survivor, adds another possible exception. She is a “sexual surrogate” who works with men who are sick or disabled in ‘sexual therapy.’
Greene is happily married and going on her 34th anniversary. However, she regularly sleeps with men for $300 an hour — an occupation featured in a movie with Helen Hunt about her work with journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, who was disabled by polio.
O’Brien was paralyzed and connected to an iron lung. He was also a 38-year-old virgin. The case is detailed in Greene’s memoir An Intimate Life: Sex, Love, and My Journey as a Surrogate Partner, published in November.
She says that she has slept with over 900 people for money in her home near UC Berkeley. Her husband, Bob Greene, a retired postal worker, met her as one of her clients.
There is even an international certifying body for such workers, the International Professional Surrogates Association. Notably, the president of the association says that more than half of the clients are middle-aged virgins. That would seem the same clientele for prostitutes in many cases. The association president insists that “[t]hese people are socially handicapped. They need encouragement in a safe, gentle environment.” Again, I am not particularly opposed to this work. I just do not understand why prostitutes cannot make the same argument.
What do you think?
Source: AOL
Amonymously Yours 1, December 19, 2012 at 8:29 am
Dredd, it’s not really hard and you said perplexing pretty much the same interchange, play words it’s a stripper point……
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The question I am in reference to is:
(JT). I said what I think, and yes it was not hard for me to say that.
Sovereign states can make laws of their own that differ from other states, so long as they do not violate federal law.
That said, one state can look at it one way, and others can differ, and still be legal and even reasonable.
Reasonable people can differ.
It would be easy, therefore, to argue either side, but it would be wrong to take an absolutist position and solve it with brute force of law, then claim all other positions were inferior positions.
BTW, by “absolutist position” I do not mean “bend over” … 😉
If an old fart or any young fart can get it up with any 68 year old surrogate then more power to her. Any law against that situation is a law against nature. I asked HumpinDog what he thought about this and he asked for her address.
Run this by President Hollande of France and get his opinion. Or the Mayor of Amsterdam. Or the citizens of New Orleans. Or the old farts in the Old Fart Home in your home town.
I wouldn’t give libertarians too much credit for anything. When it comes to putting money where their mouths are, they only care about cutting taxes for the wealthy.
What Mike said.
Yeah! Mine too! 🙂
Woosty,
Rationalization. I saw something on the local news a few years ago about a 30-something woman who had her own escort service, all internet based. She was married as well, and apparently there weren’t any objections from her spouse.
She had her trusted clients and wouldn’t accept new clients unless they were referred by somebody she trusted. She would go to her client’s house or a motel of the client’s choosing. She always took a can of soda with her. She would ask the client “would you like to buy this can of soda for $200.00?” After the can of soda was properly purchased she and the client would do whatever they wanted.
A documentary about a woman sex surrogate therapist won an Oscar one year as best documentary. That was in the 1980s, IIRC. It was broadcast on cable and I made a VHS tape of it.
possible new career choice!!!
…….the hypocrisy surrounding sex never ceases to amaze me, some women (and men) trade it for a lifetime of supposed security while others pretend it doesn’t matter at all. Some impose it on children surreptitiously and then cavort in the limelight as ‘pillars of the community’.
Some make a living at it by brutally forcing others to do it against their will for money and then convincing themselves they are doing ‘business’.
Well, …..good sex is a consensual physical act…people who engage in fulfilling sexual lives are healthier and happier…..and compassion has become a dirty word in this new time of cut-throat, dog-eat-dog ‘it’s only business’ rationalizing. You don’t need sex in the equation to be a whore any more than sex is Love….
I think prostitution should be legal. The only role of law enforcement I see in that arena is ensuring the prostitutes (male or female) are of age and are not being coerced.
“Sessions” was one of the best movies of the year. if one wants to learn the difference between the two, see the movie.
Prostitution should not be illegal. I saw a documentary about Mr. O’brien that was quite moving and he is an extraordinary man who has had polio and has mostly been dependent on an iron lung since childhood. He has the capacity to have sex, why should his disability prevent him from having it? If people need to pay for sex, the they should be allowed to pay for it. What needs to be removed from the sex trade is the coercion, the pimps and the possible STD’s. This is a viable thing in many foreign countries and works well. Why not here?
Perhaps it is simply a matter of price? Love your blog Prof. Turley! Wish you were at GW when I attended! JD ’85
I hope the bit is clear about religions
.
You know the movements that end in ceremonies where teenaged boys and girls promise their parents that they will be chaste until marriage.
I imagine that if the church etc did not teach you these values, the societal norms would have.
Remember the post which I call the “Three B’s—Being, Belonging, Becoming.” Without your being your own, then you don’t have a base to start with.
Dread, it’s not really hard and you said perplexing pretty much the same interchange, play words it’s a stripper point……
I see no need for crimiality here, at all.
People have traded since time immemorial. No exception here.
Exploitation, ay, there’s the rub. It amounts to slavery, with not only your life forfeited, but maybe your relatives in your home country.
The well-documented ills must be fought with regulation, health service, etc.
Otherwise what is new, except another step in learning that we have bodies not subject to paralyzing religions.
It is a perplexing question.
Copycat:
How many politicians has this particular profession brought down…… Can we include politicians and lobbyists?
I agree with the professor’s point of view on everything regarding the Libertarian….. But can’t you include Republicans and Democrats as well?