[kfprt]

Arguably both do. I am well aware that both prostitution and 'real' relationships both exist on the same continuum of exchange. What I would like to see are long term studies on the outcomes in prostitution and non prostitution communities.

[LurkingPenguin]

Outcomes in terms of what?

[kfprt]

Length of relationships, self reported happiness, lifespan etc. Anything statistically significant.

[LurkingPenguin]

And then what? You're going to tell consenting adults what they're allowed to do based on some subjective analysis of these?

What happens if the men who pay directly for sex report shorter relationships and have lifespans 6 months shorter than men who don't, but they tell you they're happier? Or what happens if you discover that men who pay for sex while in relationships report longer relationships?

[kfprt]

Of course not. It's like smoking, a case for disincentives. As for data that doesn't yet exist, I can't comment.

[LurkingPenguin]

Why are you already bringing up disincentives? Your comments hint that you've already decided there is something inherently wrong with paying directly for sex. You're totally dismissing the possibility that research might very well find that prostitution is a net positive for individuals, and that most of the associated negatives are caused by its criminalization.

[kfprt]

You're right, research could show that it's an unmitigated benefit and I would have to reevaluate my position. I cannot however live in the world of hypotheticals. My present understanding is based on existing information available.

Philosophically I am wary of the coercive power of money in relationships. The economy is misunderstood enough, I can't imagine the situation is better when it comes to intimacy markets. Can I coin the phrase Psychological economics?

I see parasocial relationships as something like a new virus that the human psyche has no immunity towards. People naturally think in emotional rather than transactional terms.