Decriminalizing Sex Work | Jessica Flanigan

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work.

Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation.

The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its possible benefits, and the impact of market dynamics on both workers and clients. Flanigan offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often controversial topic.

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Thought Experiment: Don and Melania
06:36 Arguments Against Prostitution
11:57 Market Dynamics and Gendered Preferences
21:18 Regulation and Legal Models
26:13 Advertising and Public Perception
31:55 Comparing Sex Work to Other Professions
34:04 Labor Justice and Sex Work
37:47 Consumer Protection in Sex Work
38:55 Licensing and Certification in Sex Work
45:05 Moral Obligations and Promises in Sex Work
51:01 Contracts and Personal Autonomy
57:45 Changing Attitudes Towards Money and Sex
01:00:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Ella Coleman
Editor and Producer: Ella Coleman

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