https://www.humanityinaction.org/knowledge_detail/the-audacity-of-tolerance-a-critical-analysis-of-legalized-prostitution-in-amsterdams-red-light-district/

Thought you ladies may want to take a look at this - it examines prostitution after it was legalized in the Netherlands. It provides a balanced view - if prostitutes are legal and registered they can work in a safe environment and the government will provide them with social, legal benefits as well as a way out when they want to exit prostitution. However, since they have to register and are now "independent contractors" they have to rent a space, pay taxes, and "out" themselves as sex workers. So if before a woman only wanted to sleep with two men a day, now she would have to sleep with 4 or 5 just to pay rent.....for her to continue being a prostitute. And now the government gets a cut of her earnings, so in reality both the economy and politics are screwing her out of her money.

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What's interesting is they have an actual prostitute give her point of view. A direct quote from her - "I have 22 year olds that tell me they are too old to work as prostitutes" (in response to the legal prostitution age being raised from 18 to 21)." She also describes how the "influx" of "migrant women" into the industry and trafficked women from Eastern Europe raises competition amongst prostitutes, ie if normally a local woman would say no to condomless sex, fisting, or anal sex, she now has to say yes otherwise she will lose her clients to these "other" prostitutes. More rejections = less money. And speaking of money....one bank refuses to take on clients who are known prostitutes. Despite the legality the social stigma is still there and many women refuse to register since they know it is looked down upon.

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Another direct quote - "prostitution is not respectable according to societal norms. When government passes legislation on its behalf it suggest a money-making scheme in line with capitalist ideology." This is from Amsterdam everyone, a well known liberal city. If societal norms there reject prostitution clearly it isn't just "conservatives" and "prudes" who are anti-sex work. And notice only a Dutch prostitute was interviewed, and not a foreigner, who is most likely trafficked.

Anyways what do you all think of this? Drop any links or studies here too if you want. I think the best way to combat the growing "sex work is empowering" narrative is with facts.