First of all, I’d like to mention that I find this entire story ironic. The fact that van Gogh was killed because his irony went over the top (in one person’s perspective) in a country where speaking out and saying one’s mind seems to be an essential quality. However, I find it hard to see how irony can be a vital component of any culture’s make-up. A culture can, on the whole, appreciate irony and say ironic things, but I have trouble seeing it as a part of their make-up. Additionally, sometimes I’d swear that Buruma’s definition of irony is not entirely congruent with mine. I suppose I am just being picky about his wording. Anyway, although humor can be a way of escaping blame, saying something with humor can often be the best way of making people listen and stop to think about the comment made. As Buruma mentions, rappers often employ irony in their compositions. (although I personally do not see the connection between them pretending to be murderers and irony). Their compositions are often a way of almost forcibly drawing attention to a certain topic. Irony is an attention grabber—I’ve noticed that incongruence and humor both draw the attention like nothing else. And, later, people will remember the words and phrasing and will think back on the meaning in those words and phrases.
I also enjoyed Buruma’s comment about religious clothing, because it is something I have also observed here in America. Some will display their religious affiliations proudly with their clothing, while some will hardly even care that they are wearing religiously-based clothing—it is something they have always worn, that they have been told to wear by their parents and if you ask them about it, all you get is an indifferent shrug. Of course, there are also the others, who dress religiously almost as a fashion, who seem to care less about the original meaning in the clothes, than in the “look” that it can give them. I found Buruma’s observations on this topic were quite accurate.
I had trouble finding a link between the Buruma and Wouters readings. Perhaps the trouble comes from the fact that I was mildly confused by the Wouters article. There were one or two points in the conclusion at the end that I didn’t realize was talked about at all. I will have to read it again later (I’ve already reread it twice, but third time’s the charm, after all). One thing that I would like to mention, though it has almost no relevance, was that I was very amused by this concept of “the science of science”. I am also amused that we are basically contemplating the “science of science” scientifically, so this article is almost the science of “science of science”. Yes, I am amused by random things. However, I would like to comment on Julie’s comment on “knowledge limiting knowledge”. Although I am sure that this can be true in some cases, I don’t quite see how it was brought up by the article. It seemed to indicate that the more that was learned about the topic, the more that could be done to improve STS.
As for the random thought—I still remember one comment by Buruma stating that 2nd generation immigrants were much more likely to be schizophrenic than the average Dutch, or the average 1st generation immigrant. I thought that was very interesting.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Jessica's Clothing Assignment
Part I
Subject: UW Student
Sex: Female
Age: ~20
Race: Caucasian
Religion: no visual cues
Clothes: Subject wore blue jeans, slightly too large for her width. Jeans also seemed too long, as indicated by the wear at the bottom back of jeans were, presumably, the heels of shoes tread on the cloth. Shirt was a long sleeved dark green shirt with no visible wording or pictures. Had a green-black fleece jacket with hood to ward off cold. Subject wore mildly dirty blue and white sneakers showing definite signs of wear and tear. Socks were white with a rather cryptic “no nonsense” written in black. Brown hair (over 1 ½ ft long) was tied back in a braid with many a hair escaping the restraint. Subject wore glasses-presumably for distance as they were worn constantly rather than just when reading-which had dark brass metallic coloring. Braces were “ocean-blue” (this is my roommate’s description, remembered from a long-ago trip to the orthodontist).
Part II
My clothes were the result of me not really caring what I wear as long as it’s comfortable and does not clash mightily. It was also the result of me waking up before my roommate and not turning the light on, and then grabbing the top shirt and pair of pants in my drawer. The fleece was chosen because I had worn it the day before and had not yet hung it up. The jeans are too big because they are actually my mother’s, who is a little taller and wider than me (she gives me her clothes if they no longer fit comfortably). The sneakers have been my sneaker pair for the past two years and are quite nice and worn in. My socks…actually the only reason I remembered to mention the “no nonsense” thing is because I’ve been wondering for a very long time what the heck that meant and why it was on my socks. Of course, I’ve never bothered to actually look it up because that would take time and it would probably be some sort of inane marketing scheme and my personal imaginings on the matter are rather fun for when I am being sinful and am at my highest level of 21st century boredom. My hair is tied back in a braid in a way reminiscent of my entire middle school and high school time when my hair was much longer and much less troublesome tied up in a braid. However, as my hair is shorter now, it seems to be less satisfied in staying in the braid for the entire day. My glasses are actually trifocals, which means that without them I am sad. My braces are oh so enjoyable bits of metal cutting into my mouth from which my enjoyment mainly derives from being able to pick out the new color of banding every eight weeks.
Subject: UW Student
Sex: Female
Age: ~20
Race: Caucasian
Religion: no visual cues
Clothes: Subject wore blue jeans, slightly too large for her width. Jeans also seemed too long, as indicated by the wear at the bottom back of jeans were, presumably, the heels of shoes tread on the cloth. Shirt was a long sleeved dark green shirt with no visible wording or pictures. Had a green-black fleece jacket with hood to ward off cold. Subject wore mildly dirty blue and white sneakers showing definite signs of wear and tear. Socks were white with a rather cryptic “no nonsense” written in black. Brown hair (over 1 ½ ft long) was tied back in a braid with many a hair escaping the restraint. Subject wore glasses-presumably for distance as they were worn constantly rather than just when reading-which had dark brass metallic coloring. Braces were “ocean-blue” (this is my roommate’s description, remembered from a long-ago trip to the orthodontist).
Part II
My clothes were the result of me not really caring what I wear as long as it’s comfortable and does not clash mightily. It was also the result of me waking up before my roommate and not turning the light on, and then grabbing the top shirt and pair of pants in my drawer. The fleece was chosen because I had worn it the day before and had not yet hung it up. The jeans are too big because they are actually my mother’s, who is a little taller and wider than me (she gives me her clothes if they no longer fit comfortably). The sneakers have been my sneaker pair for the past two years and are quite nice and worn in. My socks…actually the only reason I remembered to mention the “no nonsense” thing is because I’ve been wondering for a very long time what the heck that meant and why it was on my socks. Of course, I’ve never bothered to actually look it up because that would take time and it would probably be some sort of inane marketing scheme and my personal imaginings on the matter are rather fun for when I am being sinful and am at my highest level of 21st century boredom. My hair is tied back in a braid in a way reminiscent of my entire middle school and high school time when my hair was much longer and much less troublesome tied up in a braid. However, as my hair is shorter now, it seems to be less satisfied in staying in the braid for the entire day. My glasses are actually trifocals, which means that without them I am sad. My braces are oh so enjoyable bits of metal cutting into my mouth from which my enjoyment mainly derives from being able to pick out the new color of banding every eight weeks.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Abstractedness: Abstract for Project
The practice of pragmatic tolerance in the Netherlands resulted in the legalization of prostitution in 1988. With legalization comes the ability to regulate and provide for the workers in this industry. Yet, despite legalization many prostitutes are still not registered or considered legal. A prostitute must pay to receive the benefits of being registered and must be a citizen. Illegal immigrants and prostitutes who do not pay to be registered miss out on the benefits of health care. This has led to gaps in the health information many prostitutes receive. This lack of information has led to higher instances of STDs, drug abuse, and other health related conditions prevalent in this marginalized community of sex workers. We are conducting this study with the intention of including both legal and illegal prostitutes in order to get an accurate depiction of the industry as an all encompassing whole. In our study, we will be researching the question: What are the health information needs of sex workers in Amsterdam?
Our research on site will mostly consist of interviews. Though we are exploring the option of supplementing this with anonymous questionnaires. Field sites will include the PIC and health clinics (found by inquiry) frequented by sex workers. The online component will be found in blogs and other discussions on the topic. Perhaps creating a blog or chat on the topic ourselves would also be useful. As our research will be done as a pilot study, we will also be supplementing our study with literature such as Vanwesenbeeck’s Prostitutes' Well-Being and Risk and When Sex Becomes Work by Mariska Majoor. We will also do a literature review of previous health information studies relative to our topic.
Preliminary methods: Because we will mostly be conducting interviews, our approach will be mostly qualitative in nature. We plan to use the information we gather to draw conclusions about what health information needs are missing in the profession. If this was not a pilot study, we would take our information and create a pathfinder for prostitutes to locate this information in the future.
Our research on site will mostly consist of interviews. Though we are exploring the option of supplementing this with anonymous questionnaires. Field sites will include the PIC and health clinics (found by inquiry) frequented by sex workers. The online component will be found in blogs and other discussions on the topic. Perhaps creating a blog or chat on the topic ourselves would also be useful. As our research will be done as a pilot study, we will also be supplementing our study with literature such as Vanwesenbeeck’s Prostitutes' Well-Being and Risk and When Sex Becomes Work by Mariska Majoor. We will also do a literature review of previous health information studies relative to our topic.
Preliminary methods: Because we will mostly be conducting interviews, our approach will be mostly qualitative in nature. We plan to use the information we gather to draw conclusions about what health information needs are missing in the profession. If this was not a pilot study, we would take our information and create a pathfinder for prostitutes to locate this information in the future.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Urban Methods: A Reflection
I found the essay by Lynch and Rivkin interesting. The comments on how people seemed to focus on the same parts of the block: the spatially dominant buildings and the overall blending of the buildings and other components of a street were very interesting, especially after having my own excursion walking the city. I only remember certain parts of the landscape: the construction, the marked difference between the Lusty Lady and the surrounding buildings, a large factory with a calming picture of orcas in the ocean, and how there were, at one point, a large number of sunflower seeds on the ground. The first and second of these certainly relate to the convergence of the various parts of the landscape: I saw some parts as incongruent with the rest. The Lusty Lady was a small, rather beat-up looking building with a sign reminiscent of decades past while the surrounding buildings were tall and streamlined. The construction was also a contrast to the surroundings. The third of the observations mentioned was a spatially intrusive building (it was much larger than the buildings next to it) and it had been painted in very bright colors, catching my attention. The fourth probably relates better to what Lynch and Rivkin said was also of importance: the quality of the pavement. I recognized what I was walking on and registered what was covering it.
I also found it interesting that people did not tend to focus on certain stores, except for the ones with two sides open for viewing. Only the very visually catching stores (such as the toy store) were commented on by more than half of the viewers. One thing I noticed with the essay was that it did not mention the people that the viewers noticed. I would think that’s probably a result of how people do not stay put so it was unlikely to have the same person still in the street during the different tours. I also rather wonder what are considered “signs”, whether they are street signs or store signs, because one of the participants apparently mentioned 78 different ones.
I thought this was an interesting piece. It would seem like there are so many things composing a street that there would not be any outstanding preference for commenting on certain objects, but that is not the case. It was quite the interesting study, and its implications are rather important for city planning.
I also found it interesting that people did not tend to focus on certain stores, except for the ones with two sides open for viewing. Only the very visually catching stores (such as the toy store) were commented on by more than half of the viewers. One thing I noticed with the essay was that it did not mention the people that the viewers noticed. I would think that’s probably a result of how people do not stay put so it was unlikely to have the same person still in the street during the different tours. I also rather wonder what are considered “signs”, whether they are street signs or store signs, because one of the participants apparently mentioned 78 different ones.
I thought this was an interesting piece. It would seem like there are so many things composing a street that there would not be any outstanding preference for commenting on certain objects, but that is not the case. It was quite the interesting study, and its implications are rather important for city planning.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Walking Around the Block
Colleen and I went downtown to the Lusty Lady (we didn’t go inside, just walked around the area and observed) Sunday morning, which is admittedly not the best time to see anything of interest. I thought it was rather amusing that there were more people taking pictures of the place than actually going in it. We only saw one person go in (a man that looked mid-twenties of standard stature and somewhat wider than standard girth). I didn’t see his face. There were three people who took pictures of the place (including myself), who were all female and about 20-30 years old. There wasn’t too much leg traffic in the area, although there were at least two people with leather coats (yes, I know, random detail). I only mention it because the first man I saw in a black leather coat was also wearing a black leather beret and a pair of black sunglasses walking with a woman dressed in black (you see their backs in the picture). The man was quite interesting because he was talking animatedly to the woman with much waving of hands. There was also a young black man with a very very fluffy white coat. Most of the other people we saw were middle aged and dressed in casual wear. There was a Muslim woman, at least two black males, at least one Asian (Chinese), and several Caucasians. Most people seemed to be in a good mood –it was sunny and it was a Sunday. There isn’t really a back to the Lusty Lady, more like steps going down to another street level. We walked there. There were even less people. Someone had been there earlier and had strewn many sunflower seeds on the ground for at least 10 paces on the sidewalk. Also, there was a somewhat amusing factory producing smoke with a picture of a serene aquatic environment. Oh, and there seemed to be some construction going on right next to the Lusty Lady.
I think that this method of data collecting would be quite useful in Amsterdam, especially as a way of getting a feel for the area beforehand. Additionally, as Zeisel mentioned in his paper, “an investigator who wants to know how strictly hospital attendants follow fire-safety rules will learn more from counting the fire exits blocked by stretchers than from interviewing attendants, who may want to paint a rosier picture than actually exists.” It is often useful to determine from observation things which might be less available from simple conversation.
Also, as a side note, after reading Lynch’s paper, I find myself rather amused by my notes. I seemed to not notice many buildings except the one we had come for and a building with a big colorful painting on it. All my observations are of people…and seeds on the ground.
This picture is of the Lusty Lady:
This is the back of the man with the black leather coat and beret.
This is the factory
These last two pictures are of the people taking pictures of the Lusty Lady
I think that this method of data collecting would be quite useful in Amsterdam, especially as a way of getting a feel for the area beforehand. Additionally, as Zeisel mentioned in his paper, “an investigator who wants to know how strictly hospital attendants follow fire-safety rules will learn more from counting the fire exits blocked by stretchers than from interviewing attendants, who may want to paint a rosier picture than actually exists.” It is often useful to determine from observation things which might be less available from simple conversation.
Also, as a side note, after reading Lynch’s paper, I find myself rather amused by my notes. I seemed to not notice many buildings except the one we had come for and a building with a big colorful painting on it. All my observations are of people…and seeds on the ground.
This picture is of the Lusty Lady:
This is the back of the man with the black leather coat and beret.
This is the factory
These last two pictures are of the people taking pictures of the Lusty Lady
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Online Manifestation
Relevant Links:
1. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/148231/A_Bit_Of_What_The_Soldiers_Fancy_Does_Them_Good
2. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/laws/000022.html
3. http://www.pic-amsterdam.com/
4. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/RaymondVAW.pdf
5. http://www.iusw.org/policy/05_legalisation.html
6. http://sextradeworkers.blogspot.com/2007/04/legalization-vs-decriminalization.html
7. http://www.pic-amsterdam.com/
8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6178793.stm
9. http://www.sexworkeurope.org/
10. http://hookers.nl/
I find it interesting that many sources say that child prostitution in the Netherlands has increased with the legalization of prostitution. Also, I’ve seen people stating that as much as a quarter of the prostitutes in the Netherlands are a result of human trafficking. However, even though a large percentage of European prostitutes are driven to become prostitutes by their drug addiction (according to BBC news), only about 10% of the prostitutes in the Netherlands had this incentive. Additionally, many people see the Netherlands as much safer for prostitutes than other countries.
Also, as a side note, the last link is entirely in Dutch. However, if I can find anyone who can read Dutch (hint, hint ^_^), I think it might be an interesting source. Apparently the site has about 40,000 visitors a day.
I’m not sure how to analyze the online manifestation of my topic. One way is just to see the different opinions posed and who those opinions come from. I’m not really sure how else to analyze the online components that I found…
...and just so that I have this link for later…I was thinking about finding this book in the library : http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Workers-Netherlands-Approaches-Sociology/dp/0415972345 .
1. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/148231/A_Bit_Of_What_The_Soldiers_Fancy_Does_Them_Good
2. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/laws/000022.html
3. http://www.pic-amsterdam.com/
4. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/RaymondVAW.pdf
5. http://www.iusw.org/policy/05_legalisation.html
6. http://sextradeworkers.blogspot.com/2007/04/legalization-vs-decriminalization.html
7. http://www.pic-amsterdam.com/
8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6178793.stm
9. http://www.sexworkeurope.org/
10. http://hookers.nl/
I find it interesting that many sources say that child prostitution in the Netherlands has increased with the legalization of prostitution. Also, I’ve seen people stating that as much as a quarter of the prostitutes in the Netherlands are a result of human trafficking. However, even though a large percentage of European prostitutes are driven to become prostitutes by their drug addiction (according to BBC news), only about 10% of the prostitutes in the Netherlands had this incentive. Additionally, many people see the Netherlands as much safer for prostitutes than other countries.
Also, as a side note, the last link is entirely in Dutch. However, if I can find anyone who can read Dutch (hint, hint ^_^), I think it might be an interesting source. Apparently the site has about 40,000 visitors a day.
I’m not sure how to analyze the online manifestation of my topic. One way is just to see the different opinions posed and who those opinions come from. I’m not really sure how else to analyze the online components that I found…
...and just so that I have this link for later…I was thinking about finding this book in the library : http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Workers-Netherlands-Approaches-Sociology/dp/0415972345 .
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Research Groups
I guess that I’ll just take the third option on this assignment because I was unable to establish a group. Also, for the restating of my research idea post, I think I’ll use my euthanasia idea because I have a slightly clearer idea of what I would want to do with that topic.
a) I failed at this one. Hopefully I can work it out in class tomorrow. I would like to work with Colleen, because we seemed to have somewhat similar preliminary interests, but I think everyone’s topics are interesting so I’d be willing to work with anyone.
b) I would want to compare the perspectives/views taken by Seattle’s primary religious groups on euthanasia to those of Amsterdam’s. Is there any difference in the positions taken? In how the topic is considered? Are there any variances in position on the topic between the religious groups? Are these variances duplicated in the two cities, or do they differ? If they differ, how do they do so and why? Do the religious groups take a different position than that of non-religious people?
c) I don’t really know too much about this topic at the moment. Most of the information I could find indicated that the Netherlands was somewhat all in agreement on the topic, but I doubt that all opinions are exactly the same. Thus, I think that it would be better if I took the international engagement option. I think the topic is interesting, and I would like to explore it. As I have never been to Amsterdam for an extended stay, I don’t have a clear view of what to expect, and I would rather keep my options open.
d) I don’t think there will be that many problems with finding people to interview/ask questions as these are religions pursued by a large number of people, and I think that most major religions are fairly open with their viewpoints. One thing that I could foresee as a problem is the sensitivity of the topic. It’s a question of life and death, and questions like that almost always get everyone tied up in a knot, from my experience. Still, asking questions in a non-provocative way and being considerate of people should help alleviate at least some of that problem.
Oh, as a complete and unnecessary aside, I found a rather amusing Dutch legend at
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/017_legend.html .
a) I failed at this one. Hopefully I can work it out in class tomorrow. I would like to work with Colleen, because we seemed to have somewhat similar preliminary interests, but I think everyone’s topics are interesting so I’d be willing to work with anyone.
b) I would want to compare the perspectives/views taken by Seattle’s primary religious groups on euthanasia to those of Amsterdam’s. Is there any difference in the positions taken? In how the topic is considered? Are there any variances in position on the topic between the religious groups? Are these variances duplicated in the two cities, or do they differ? If they differ, how do they do so and why? Do the religious groups take a different position than that of non-religious people?
c) I don’t really know too much about this topic at the moment. Most of the information I could find indicated that the Netherlands was somewhat all in agreement on the topic, but I doubt that all opinions are exactly the same. Thus, I think that it would be better if I took the international engagement option. I think the topic is interesting, and I would like to explore it. As I have never been to Amsterdam for an extended stay, I don’t have a clear view of what to expect, and I would rather keep my options open.
d) I don’t think there will be that many problems with finding people to interview/ask questions as these are religions pursued by a large number of people, and I think that most major religions are fairly open with their viewpoints. One thing that I could foresee as a problem is the sensitivity of the topic. It’s a question of life and death, and questions like that almost always get everyone tied up in a knot, from my experience. Still, asking questions in a non-provocative way and being considerate of people should help alleviate at least some of that problem.
Oh, as a complete and unnecessary aside, I found a rather amusing Dutch legend at
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/017_legend.html .
Picture of Self...sorta
Somebody mentioned in class last time that it would be good if we would all post pictures of ourselves so we can equate the face with the name...I realize that this isn't exactly the best picture for face-name association...but it's better than nothing, right? It was the only picture of myself I could find on my computer and I don't have my camera with me sooooo...yeah. Why not just wait until I am reunited with my camera? Ummm...I don't have the patience and I'd probably forget about it ^_^. So, yes, everyone gets to see a picture of a camera...and a vague outline of my face and some hint of glasses ^^;;;. Plus, everyone gets to see my bird!
And, yeah, this picture is going into a post and not as the picture on the side where I post pretty pictures (like the Sandpiper right now) because I think it would be somewhat creepy to see myself staring out of my computer all the time...as a post, I can just quickly scroll over it. Plus, this way I get to keep putting up pretty pictures on the side. ^_________^
Okie. That turned out to be a long post. Shutting up now.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Ideas, Questions, and Evidence for Research
I am rather interested in the legalization in the Netherlands of what would be very controversial topics in the United States. I actually had two ideas, so I’ll write both of them up and see what I come up with. I'm not sure quite yet which topic I'll choose. Anyway, I split them up into the three different areas (idea, questions, and evidence) for easier reading.
Idea: I think it would be interesting to see how (or if) opinions of the legalization of euthanasia differ in regards to the main religious groups in the Netherlands: unaffiliated, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim.
Questions: Whether there are differing views among religious groups in the Netherlands having to do with the legalization of euthanasia.
Evidence: This would probably have a component of “let’s stalk the churches/mosques”. I would have to make sure that the places of worship I asked at were in various different parts of the Netherlands to make sure that the opinions I gathered were not just those of the local people and I’d want to ask random people in that area their opinions to contrast to the people that visited a place of worship. I could also ask random people in different areas of the country about their opinions.
Idea: Another idea is to do with prostitution. I’d like to compare the problems associated with prostitution present in the Netherlands to those present in Washington (or the U.S. in general, but that seems too broad for the scale of this project), mainly to see if there are any outstanding differences in the problems present and to see if these are in any way tied to the differences in policies in Washington and in the Netherlands. I know sexual assault is a major problem in the prostitute community in the U.S., and it seems like the Dutch’s legalizing of prostitution might have some effect on curtailing this problem. The offering of regular health checks in the Netherlands seems positive as well. However, there is also the issue of trafficking, which some say has increased with the legalization of prostitution in the Netherlands. Also, sex workers in the Netherlands are required to both register (which they can only do if they are legal in the mind of the Dutch government) and to pay taxes, something that many of the trade can not do or do not want to do. Personally, I think that legalization is a good way of handling things, at least, if the state/country is willing to spend the resources on making sure that regulations are followed. Although they are different, one can compare to the legalization of alcohol: when it wasn’t legal, consumption still took place, it just was a lot more covert and somewhat more dangerous at times. Of course, even now that alcohol is legalized, there are still problems, such as people who make moonshine or other illegal alcoholic drinks.
Questions: How much does Washington’s prostitution scene differ from that of the Dutch? Does it have anything to do with the differing legal and cultural positions on sex workers? What are the positives and negatives, comparatively, of these two systems in these areas?
Evidence: I would do research both in Washington and in the Netherlands. I’d probably get in contact with police stations and ask them some questions. I could ask sex workers in the Netherlands in the Red Light District, but I’m not sure whether I would be willing to try and find sex workers here to interview (which is a rather interesting distinction on my part…)
Idea: I think it would be interesting to see how (or if) opinions of the legalization of euthanasia differ in regards to the main religious groups in the Netherlands: unaffiliated, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim.
Questions: Whether there are differing views among religious groups in the Netherlands having to do with the legalization of euthanasia.
Evidence: This would probably have a component of “let’s stalk the churches/mosques”. I would have to make sure that the places of worship I asked at were in various different parts of the Netherlands to make sure that the opinions I gathered were not just those of the local people and I’d want to ask random people in that area their opinions to contrast to the people that visited a place of worship. I could also ask random people in different areas of the country about their opinions.
Idea: Another idea is to do with prostitution. I’d like to compare the problems associated with prostitution present in the Netherlands to those present in Washington (or the U.S. in general, but that seems too broad for the scale of this project), mainly to see if there are any outstanding differences in the problems present and to see if these are in any way tied to the differences in policies in Washington and in the Netherlands. I know sexual assault is a major problem in the prostitute community in the U.S., and it seems like the Dutch’s legalizing of prostitution might have some effect on curtailing this problem. The offering of regular health checks in the Netherlands seems positive as well. However, there is also the issue of trafficking, which some say has increased with the legalization of prostitution in the Netherlands. Also, sex workers in the Netherlands are required to both register (which they can only do if they are legal in the mind of the Dutch government) and to pay taxes, something that many of the trade can not do or do not want to do. Personally, I think that legalization is a good way of handling things, at least, if the state/country is willing to spend the resources on making sure that regulations are followed. Although they are different, one can compare to the legalization of alcohol: when it wasn’t legal, consumption still took place, it just was a lot more covert and somewhat more dangerous at times. Of course, even now that alcohol is legalized, there are still problems, such as people who make moonshine or other illegal alcoholic drinks.
Questions: How much does Washington’s prostitution scene differ from that of the Dutch? Does it have anything to do with the differing legal and cultural positions on sex workers? What are the positives and negatives, comparatively, of these two systems in these areas?
Evidence: I would do research both in Washington and in the Netherlands. I’d probably get in contact with police stations and ask them some questions. I could ask sex workers in the Netherlands in the Red Light District, but I’m not sure whether I would be willing to try and find sex workers here to interview (which is a rather interesting distinction on my part…)
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