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Joy Smith fails to sell outrage

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 08/5/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Winnipeg MP Joy Smith is outraged over plans by the porn industry to recruit 18-year-old women off school grounds and shopping malls. It wasn't hard to recruit readers to comment on this.

Well, 18-year-olds are adults if I recall, and if they choose to work and are paid it is not slavery. But it does make for a good sound byte that appeals to the Tory base. We may not like it, but adults have a right to earn a living any legal way they choose.

-- JD2

"Smith urged Canadians to slap back at pimps and porn artists with a public message of their own: 'Our children will not be bought or sold.' "

And they aren't. From the article, they are recruiting 18-year-olds. If they make the decision of their own free will so be it. If Smith is that concerned, then do a better job of regulating the industry to ensure they meet a set of reasonable standards.

-- thedude

If an 18-year-old can purchase tobacco, booze, die for our country and vote then they can do what they want with their body, Ms. Smith. These recruiters aren't going after 16-17-year-olds. Stick to saving children and underage teens then you won't sound like some goofy evangelical s*it disturber.

-- just like that

Although somewhat disgusting, the legal age in Canada is 18, isn't it? If a girl or guy feel they can make some cash that way, who are we to force our opinions onto them? Get off your high horse MP Smith. It is your government that changed the rules on an industry that will never go away and made it so they had to do this to survive. Whether you agree with this industry or not, it isn't illegal, so they have the right to do what they need to so they can make a living at it.

-- SMITTY3700_

Smith would prefer that they got jobs at Subway and McDonald's instead. Sorry, they'd rather make four times as much cash for doing something they enjoy, being celebrated as attractive. Bottom line: nothing is illegal here.

-- peg city on the prairies

Wow, I can't believe the comments here. What part of the sex trade don't you people get? You really think this is a first option of employment for women? That being leered at by men somehow builds self-esteem? Small wonder women are stating, "OUR CHILDREN WILL NOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD." While it's the legal age, 18 is hardly one of sensibility.

-- D8

The science is clear that the prefrontal cortex does not finish developing until around age 25. I hate to think of people doing things that will permanently negatively impact their lives at such a young age, whether it is legal or not, but that is my maternal side speaking.

-- Serabitrio

I bet all the comments saying 'oh they're 18 and adults, they can do whatever to their bodies they want' are men who don't have daughters. Really, 18? At 18 you think you know everything, but you don't. As soon as five gross guys leer at them, and make hoochy-coochy noises at them, they'll turn to hard drugs to block out the pervs.

-- Aquarius

Being a stripper is a more unsavory way to make a living than being a Conservative MP in The Harper Government?

-- JustWondering

The military will recruit cadets at 16 years of age (and maybe as early as 14 years) into their cadet programs to get them trained and used to military lifestyle. Look at the Minto Armories. And parents send them there proudly. They can't handle real weapons until they are 18 but every other aspect is well ingrained into them.

An 18 year old is an adult and can make their own decision to strip or not. Many doctors and lawyers and other professionals, male and females, have funded their university education by stripping. This is nothing new. They just omit it from their resumés. It doesn't necessarily mean that they prostituted themselves. It is an honest form of employment that the government collects income taxes on, including tips.

-- spoiled sport

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 5, 2012 A10

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