The world's oldest profession

So what on earth am I doing writing about the world's oldest profession aka prostitution? Well, a judge in Toronto, ON has ruled that Canada's prostitution laws are unconstitutional; effectively decriminalizing prostitution in Canada. Cue the outraged conservative right and let the floodgates open!

A quick note before any readers decide to head out and get lucky tonight: the judge also placed a 30-day stay on her decision. Anticipating (wisely) that her judgment is likely headed for the Supreme Court. Needless to say this will be what we're all hearing about for the next 6 months. I wonder if any politicians will be brave enough to weigh in on the issue? Feminists and women's rights activists are divided on the issue.

I personally don't see anything wrong with it. It is one of the easiest and most lucrative ways for a woman to make money. Wait! Don't take away my feminist card just yet! Just because it's lucrative doesn't mean I'm advocating it. I think every woman should be able to make decisions for her own life. There are plenty of jobs and/or careers that I could have that would be quite lucrative. The difference being that I don't want those jobs. I could (in my younger and skinnier days) have been a stripper had I so desired. So why didn't I? Because morally it felt wrong to me. But it was my decision. If a woman wants to be a prostitute, why should society stop her?

If prostitution is legal, it can be enforced thus offering women in that profession some protection. It would keep minors away from the profession and get rid of the men who seek to take advantage of women making money in an illegal fashion.

"But it's degrading to women!" the hardcore feminists will scream. To which I simply shrug my shoulders. Sex can be powerful. In fact, sex can be a powerful weapon. Being in control of your sexuality can be empowering. And let's not delude ourselves here. Men pay for sex every single night, we just don't notice it. I asked the Sperm Donor one night if he had ever paid for sex. His response? "Not with cash." Thinking about it, it makes perfect sense. If a guy wants to seduce a woman, what does he do? Buy her drinks, buy her dinner, buy her flowers etc. Where's it all leading? This isn't the 1900's. It's leading where (hopefully) both halves of the couple want it to lead.

Taking the stigma away from prostitution, removing it from the "taboo" list and working towards a healthier mindset about sex in general is a step in the right direction. I, for one, am all for it and can't wait to hear Stephen Harper's Conservatives fumble their way through this one. Bring on the political missteps! Now...where's my popcorn?