Short answer: Yes, you should be able to pay for sex. When two consenting people (a prostitute and her client) agree to a trade (money for sex), and that trade doesn’t immediately, directly, or violently affect a third party, they should be free to make that trade.
By the way, you should also be able to pay for other things:
Longer answer: People do a lot of things I don’t like. For example, when I see people gambling on sports, it makes me feel like they’re tarnishing the games I love. When I see people smoking, it makes me sad, because I know they’re damaging the beautiful, intricate machine that is the human body.
But I don’t get to impose my personal and subjective view of “right” and “wrong” on other people; especially not through government laws. The truth is, I have enough trouble figuring out what’s right and wrong for myself; I certainly am in no position to do it for other people.
Moreover, biting my tongue on the gambling issue is the price I pay for getting to do peaceful, nonviolent things that other people might not want me to do … like drinking coffee or using electricity, which some people consider immoral or against their religious faith.
So, yes, you should be able to pay for sex … if a consenting person is willing to sell it. That reminds me of the riddle below, which highlights the importance of consent:
What’s the difference between sex and rape? Consent.
What’s the difference between work and slavery? Consent.
What’s the difference between tax and theft? Magical fairy dust.
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This piece solely expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the organization as a whole. Students For Liberty is committed to facilitating a broad dialogue for liberty, representing a variety of opinions.
