21st century Slavery (anyone read SciAm??)

**~~Zero~~** · 06-24-02, 07:47 PM

I just read a fascinating social science article in SciAm (the April 2002 issue I think). It's about how slavery, such as prostitution, still exists nowadays in various forms. Contrary to popular opinion, prostitutes are not avaricious women out for money and nothing else. They are broken minds who have been psychologically exploited by their employers (also known as pimps

), and they both create an insiduous mutual dependence. Hard to believe, but a slave is NOT some recalcitrant and indomitable soul who will run the first chance he/she gets. A slave has been psychologically changed to the degree that some pimps can let women out to visit familiy and friends, because they always come back to work. They are adept at creating insecurity and dependence in these poor women, and they do it in many ways, such as social values or religion. They constantly put so called 'debts' on these women, charge outrageous rents on the rooms they use, and take 100% of the women's profits. They cite religion, etc to tell them that they must work hard and please their customers or their parents will suffer, they committed heinous crimes in a previous life so they must do this. Etc etc.

Any thoughts? Social scientists are baffled (no wonder, this field is highly underdevelped, and there is a palpable paucity of scientists working out in the fields to do large scale research).

Comments?

**Avatar** · 06-25-02, 08:14 PM

it is very widespread in europe. Eastern european countries are the suppliers and western and central european countries are importers, especially germany.

tht's a serious problem over here. when you get in, you can't get out. all your documents are conficated, your family is threatened.

**Bebelina** · 06-25-02, 08:35 PM

The sadness of it all is that it is now when scientists have written a report about it that people react to what has been under their noses all time, but they have chosen not to see it.

**~~Zero~~** · 06-26-02, 07:27 AM

Yes, I've often wondered why there aren't any field scientists out there. It is puzzling, though. Even if you grab a prostitute from her bed of servitude and set her free she will go right back of her free will. It is baffling. The reasons for THAT is not right under our noses.

**Xenu** · 06-26-02, 02:13 PM

Zero, are you saying that everyone who works under someone for money is to some degree a prostitute? They control you with your paycheck, keep you coming back.

So is capitalism just organized prostitution?

**Bebelina** · 06-26-02, 02:38 PM

You are so right there Xenu.

Why they go back, is of the same reasons that children who has been sexually abused often become prostitutes. They have no self esteem, are grossed out by their own and others bodies, they think that they don't deserve any better, that they are the scum of the earth.
They are very damaged individuals and pulling them away from that environment must be followed by therapy for years and years for them to recover from such trauma.

**~~Zero~~** · 06-26-02, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by Xenu
Zero, are you saying that everyone who works under someone for money is to some degree a prostitute? They control you with your paycheck, keep you coming back.

So is capitalism just organized prostitution?

no no NO. Prostitutes are unofficial slaves held against their own will at first. Then, in order to adapt to their horrifying life, they start to make bonds with the pimp. Then, since the pimp is smart and he knows her insecurity, cites various things like social order or even religion to get ehr to do what he wants. This is not a laughing matter Xenu, and that was an extremely innapropriate post.

This has nothing to do with money, these prostitues automatically get debts slapped onto them by the pimp, who charge weird sums for rents etc, and that is a means of control the pimp uses. He first gets her to sign a big complicated document or something (which she might not have the time or presence of mind or the education to read through) and uses it to exploit her for his own good.

**Asguard** · 06-26-02, 06:45 PM

i gess its good that its legle here then. At least the goverment protects them from exploytation like that just like it does for any workers

**kmguru** · 06-26-02, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Xenu

So is capitalism just organized prostitution?

YES, it is. Only different body parts are involved and it is called slavery. The interesting part is, the consumer always look the other way.

In US, we have an uproar about child pornography and CBS aired about how a 9 year old child was crying while being videotaped. It is not only criminal but disgusting activity. However, when the same 9 year old works with her hand blisters in Bangladesh - every consumer of that product keep their eyes closed - oh, the little girl is poor so she can eat....

And it is no different in prostitution and slavery. Some do it out of their free will, some have no choice.

**~~Zero~~** · 06-26-02, 07:24 PM

? You work for your money, but psychological dependence making and the employer abusing you and robbing you of your rights???? Is this the US I know?

**Xenu** · 06-27-02, 12:51 PM

Zero, I didn't mean to make it sound like a laughing matter. I was trying to understand what you were getting at. I see what you are talking about now, you are talking about a more specific level. Boss's intentionally manipulating their workers and such. But there is also a point to what I said "capitalism is organized prostituition", if you consider this type of manipulation in a subtle and unconscious way.

Also, like you said it's not about money, at least directly, it's about power, but in an indirect way, money is power.

**~~Zero~~** · 06-27-02, 07:49 PM

? And what kind of society would be non prostitutional?

**Avatar** · 06-27-02, 07:50 PM

a dead society , if you ask me

**~~Zero~~** · 06-27-02, 08:06 PM

nice. So prostitution is actually necessary???

**Avatar** · 06-27-02, 08:10 PM

no , it's a part of our society.
not the best, maybe the worst, but IT IS the most ancient profession

**Xev** · 06-27-02, 08:26 PM

Thanx Zero, I dug out the April issue and re-read.

It is interesting, especially the way slaves adapt to their surroundings, and have a hard time adapting to freedom.

Some even commit suicide.

It seems that, in this perverse calculus of suffering, the slave actually needs the slaveowner.

I am glad this is being studied and that solutions are being sought.

As for prostitution, I think it should be legalized and perhaps regulated in some way. This would at least make it harder for women and young men to be held against their will, and might cut down the incidence of STDs.

I can really see no moral reason not to legalise. One's body, one's choice, no?

**Avatar** · 06-27-02, 08:28 PM

I can really see no moral reason not to legalise. One's body, one's choice, no?

I know you don't need my agreement , Xev, but I agree

**~~Zero~~** · 06-28-02, 07:43 PM

Hmm. True. It would be better to legalize prostitution, so that it will be easier for the gov't to regulate it. It's kinda hard to do that when you've outlawed it, and there are ... er.... 'freelancers' or 'freelance employers' out there who spend quite some effort in hiding it.

Not that prostitution is good. But it is a bit unrealistic to completely outlaw it. Kinda like prohibition. Good motives, but it didn't work.

And what social scientists might want to look into is the actual thought processes behind the psychology involved and try to break that chain.