Hit Me

Hit Me... is an outlet for you to express your thoughts, beefs and opinions concerning controversial current affairs and other topics which spark debate.
Hello Hit Me readers! This time, it was all about prostitution. Well, originally, I thought prostitution was something that was forced upon women and that they had to do it and there was no choice. But, a certain book, gave me some insight. Paulo Coelho's Eleven Minutes, is all about a a girl from Brazil, who journeys to Switzerland for the adventure and ends up becoming a prostitute. This book, made me a lot more open-minded. As for Singapore, I have no idea whether it's legal or not (I think it's illegal), so naturally, I didn't think Singapore had sex-workers. But once, I saw a group of women, just sitting around the back of a building, smoking and wearing garish make-up. I was with my mom and I looked at her and she explained. And, just like that, I felt extremely sorry for them, having to sell their body. So, I did some research and below is an article, about how it all started. It turns out that selling your body is a very old trade. Read on::

The History Of Prostitution::



When thinking about trades that have been around for centuries prostitution is not one that normally comes to mind yet it is claimed to be one of the oldest of professions. People have very different views on the subject of prostitution. Since Mesopotamian times, attitudes surrounding prostitution have evolved and changed many times from a celebrated necessity to a cultural evil. The United States Victorian era (1840-1900) experienced the same evolution of thoughts as their prostitutes experienced empathy in the beginning of the century then utter rejection towards the end. The twentieth century on through to the twenty-first has kept the ideals of the latter Victorians. American society’s outlook towards prostitution has not changed in over a century and a half because the societal views and the debate over a solution remain the same.


The Bigger Picture
It is important to note what came out of the movement to abolish prostitution in the 1800s.The Victorian area was known for their strict moral people who looked down on anything or anyone that deviated from the social norm; most of society was against prostitution. A new outlook surfaced among women towards their own position in life, which lead to new organizations and strong women leaders that are still looked up to today. Nineteenth century feminists including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Martineau and Margaret Sanger were inspired by the movement by early feminists to start looking at prostitution not viewed in the male terms but see women as victims of male society. Victorian feminists saw women in prostitution not as the horrible man-sucking vampires some Christians portrayed them to be but as victims of men's desire to keep women oppressed. These new views lead to a growing change in the...

....continue reading the article here

Reader's opinions::

I don't condone prostitution, I think its a sad thing. But I know probably half the time or more, these women (or men..) aren't doing this for kicks, it's their only source of income. I believe that if prostitution were to be strongly illegal, then the governments should offer assistance for general living costs. Otherwise, these people will often have no means. Brown Eyes, 15 from United States
Prostitution is illegal in South Africa, but it doesn't stop people from doing it. I feel it's quite sad that women have to resort to such low levels to make money. With the rising number of HIV/AIDS infections, I have absolutely no idea how men can even consider picking up a woman. There are quite a few prostitutes in my town, and I've seen all types of men pick them up. I feel in order for prostitution to stop, men should stop picking up women. Simple as. Will that ever happen? Doubtful. Lana, 18 from South Africa

NEXT TIME ON HIT ME::

My fellow columnists were having a discussion recently, about *teen* stars, and whether they were actually good role models or not. What do you think? All those has-beens like Britney, and Lindsay Lohan, and those that are currently famous like Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers.....are they good people to look up to? Send in all your thoughts, comments, opinions and theme ideas!!

xox
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