Will punting ever be socially acceptable?

[claretandblue]

In my lifetime (lateish 30's) a vast array of things which were frowned upon by society at large have seemingly become socially acceptable.

One of the things which hasn't is punting,hence the panic from guys who are single about having punting phones in case it impacts on their future relationships /job prospects etc.

Can people see a time when punting becomes acceptable to the masses?It's just a shag at the end of the day and as long as both parties are there of their own freewill what's the problem?

[Brazilian Martian]

In my lifetime (lateish 30's) a vast array of things which were frowned upon by society at large have seemingly become socially acceptable.

One of the things which hasn't is punting,hence the panic from guys who are single about having punting phones in case it impacts on their future relationships /job prospects etc.

Can people see a time when punting becomes acceptable to the masses?It's just a shag at the end of the day and as long as both parties are there of their own freewill what's the problem?

I'm not sure if that will happen in the uk in south america it's not looked down upon like over here also in Portugal as well it's a lot more libral.

Good thread by the way

[smiths]

In my lifetime (lateish 30's) a vast array of things which were frowned upon by society at large have seemingly become socially acceptable.

One of the things which hasn't is punting,hence the panic from guys who are single about having punting phones in case it impacts on their future relationships /job prospects etc.

Can people see a time when punting becomes acceptable to the masses?It's just a shag at the end of the day and as long as both parties are there of their own freewill what's the problem?

IMO certainly not in the foreseeable future, it doesn't suit the authorities for men to have an option of a WG to get a fuck, it does suit them to see people couple up, have kids, get a mortgage and be good citizens though.

Also the femi-nazis and media who either agree with their anti agenda or are too shit scared to say otherwise perpetuate the myth of street WGs and rain mac wearing weirdos as that's suits them, and they have a massive advantage. They can publicly state their bullshit whereas many WGs and punters cant. There has been a small step forward with more of the pro prostitution lobby putting their views in the public arena so that might continue.

At heart despite so called progress many older people in particular have deeply held religious views and views on morality that haven't moved with the times, they are stuck in a mindset where sex is a dirty thing and should not be discussed, let alone prostitution.

[OakTree]

No.   

[threechilliman]

IMO certainly not in the foreseeable future, it doesn't suit the authorities for men to have an option of a WG to get a fuck, it does suit them to see people couple up, have kids, get a mortgage and be good citizens though.

Also the femi-nazis and media who either agree with their anti agenda or are too shit scared to say otherwise perpetuate the myth of street WGs and rain mac wearing weirdos as that's suits them, and they have a massive advantage. They can publicly state their bullshit whereas many WGs and punters cant. There has been a small step forward with more of the pro prostitution lobby putting their views in the public arena so that might continue.

At heart despite so called progress many older people in particular have deeply held religious views and views on morality that haven't moved with the times, they are stuck in a mindset where sex is a dirty thing and should not be discussed, let alone prostitution.

Saved me from typing it all out. Completely agree with this. No idea why folk can't be more open about sex.

tcm

[OakTree]

Saved me from typing it all out. Completely agree with this. No idea why folk can't be more open about sex.

tcm

I've no idea either but they aren't and I'm pretty sure they won't be for the foreseeable future.

[Steely Dan]

I think it will someday.  But perhaps not in my lifetime.

But it might happen fast ...  gay marriage happened way faster than I thought. And the next leader of the opposition is a lesbian.  And basically no one cares about that. As it should be.

[Tierney]

In a word 'no'.

However the numbers of men buying and women selling sex will continue to increase but it'll be one of those things that no one talks about in polite society.

[purple_t]

It will never become socially acceptable in this increasingly feminist world.

If anything, these are the golden years of punting right now, I think this is as good as it's ever going to get. In the future I fully expect the current laws to be changed, I can see the UK adopting the Swedish model at some point (punters criminalised but WGs not).

[webpunter]

If anything, these are the golden years of punting right now, I think this is as good as it's ever going to get. In the future I fully expect the current laws to be changed, I can see the UK adopting the Swedish model at some point (punters criminalised but WGs not).

Make hay whilst the sun shines.  Can't see the law changing - coz plenty of politicians / high end supporters will be fucked if they get caught.  Especially if this includes rent boys for the politicians / govt 

[mrdiamond77]

No I doubt it will ever be acceptable.  Can't see The Daily Mail or Feminists embracing and accepting prostitution.

[Stalinator]

It will never be acceptable at least not in our lifetimes.

[Malvolio]

It's perfectly acceptable in countries like Spain and Italy - but I can't see the British attitudes towards punting changing anytime soon.

I'm part of the problem - I don't feel the need to talk to my mates about the WGs I've seen.

[peter purves]

IMO certainly not in the foreseeable future, it doesn't suit the authorities for men to have an option of a WG to get a fuck, it does suit them to see people couple up, have kids, get a mortgage and be good citizens though.

Also the femi-nazis and media who either agree with their anti agenda or are too shit scared to say otherwise perpetuate the myth of street WGs and rain mac wearing weirdos as that's suits them, and they have a massive advantage. They can publicly state their bullshit whereas many WGs and punters cant. There has been a small step forward with more of the pro prostitution lobby putting their views in the public arena so that might continue.

At heart despite so called progress many older people in particular have deeply held religious views and views on morality that haven't moved with the times, they are stuck in a mindset where sex is a dirty thing and should not be discussed, let alone prostitution.

This is an interesting analysis because historically I think men are 'responsible' for the status of prostitution.

You refer to today by mentioning authorities, media, religion etc. These are probably male dominated arenas.

[Jimmyredcab]

It's perfectly acceptable in countries like Spain and Italy .

Unless it is your daughter on the game obviously.   

[Mansell]

Smiths is right with his summary.

It's going to take a big attitude change for this to become acceptable. Maybe a mainsteam film or some Media Star coming out will help things along. Certainly younger people have a way different attitude to sex than the older generation in the main. ie 3 somes, anal, OWO, etc is now almost expected.

[Jimmyredcab]

It's going to take a big attitude change for this to become acceptable.

Whoever thought that shirtlifters would be allowed to marry, anything is possible.   

[Markus456]

Interesting thread. I highly doubt it in this part of the world meaning UK. The attitudes of women is very different to the rest imp. Girlfriends/wives are too complacent and sex gets boring. I know many mates of mine say that they are lucky to get action once a week and some once a month.  Partners think they should be all the man needs to make them happy in the sack yet they are not willing to spice things up or want action regularly.

[claretandblue]

Some interesting replies,I think it will happen one day but will take ages,the set up in other European countries like Spain sounds much better

[carefree]

I couldn't care less if punting is never made socially acceptable, I like doing it and that's all that matters.

Don't you think it would lessen the thrill if it was?  I do

[claretandblue]

I couldn't care less if punting is never made socially acceptable, I like doing it and that's all that matters.

Don't you think it would lessen the thrill if it was?  I do

Possibly ,then again it will never be acceptable in the eyes of the wife so the thrill will remain!

[markc65]

Possibly ,then again it will never be acceptable in the eyes of the wife so the thrill will remain!

I live most of the time in Spain and it is much more socially accepted there, even to the point where many wives accept their husband going with a WG rather than having an affair.

I can never see it being acceptable here

[ickydicky]

I live most of the time in Spain and it is much more socially accepted there, even to the point where many wives accept their husband going with a WG rather than having an affair.

I can never see it being acceptable here

like the burning sun and bull fighting, it's just not british old boy

[RedKettle]

Cannot see there being a huge change anytime soon.  Agree with Smiths on that.

However I do believe we are seeing small changes.  There was that Billie Piper series that brought it into the mainstream and associated with that there was plenty of serious press coverage of the issue and the woman that it was based on. Then more recently we have had the sugar daddy thing and I remember a radio 4 interview with a very middle class mother of a female student who was paying for university by working as a prostitute.

The above are examples of coverage in a way that would not have happened say 20 years ago.  Yes it is very slow, but even going slowly there could be substantial change in say 50 years.

In my view however in the UK there will be a limit to how acceptable it will ever become - we are just too uptight about sex.

I guess the other question is whether we, the punters, want it to become so acceptable?  For me this is my rebellion - I am a typical British husband and father doing the "right thing" all the time and this is my secret life!

[smartieshouse]

Cannot see there being a huge change anytime soon.  Agree with Smiths on that.

However I do believe we are seeing small changes.  There was that Billie Piper series that brought it into the mainstream and associated with that there was plenty of serious press coverage of the issue and the woman that it was based on. Then more recently we have had the sugar daddy thing and I remember a radio 4 interview with a very middle class mother of a female student who was paying for university by working as a prostitute.

The above are examples of coverage in a way that would not have happened say 20 years ago.  Yes it is very slow, but even going slowly there could be substantial change in say 50 years.

In my view however in the UK there will be a limit to how acceptable it will ever become - we are just too uptight about sex.

I guess the other question is whether we, the punters, want it to become so acceptable?  For me this is my rebellion - I am a typical British husband and father doing the "right thing" all the time and this is my secret life!

I for one adore "my secret life":-)

[lostandfound]

Sounds to me like a question for younger members. IIRC one of the recent TV documentaries showed a relaxed attitude to prostitution amongst - I think it was - a group of under 25s.

In general attitudes to sex are more relaxed than say 20 years ago - thanks to Internet and intrusive \ social media making it more difficult to hush things up, so general public gets to know what people do rather than just what they say.

[JW.Bobbitt]

I live most of the time in Spain and it is much more socially accepted there, even to the point where many wives accept their husband going with a WG rather than having an affair.

Hence the prevalence  of spots like Scandolo, Los Lagos etc. - The Spanish equivalent of stopping off at the pub on the way home ......

[char45]

This is from 2008 (doesn't segment by age and I can't find anything more recent but I remember vaguely a survey that said the youngest cohort had a less favourable view of selling/buying sex than older generations) External Link/Members Only

"There is no difference in attitudes towards the legality of purchasing or selling sex: 50% feel the purchase of sex by men should be legal (and 43% think it should be illegal), and 51% feel the sale of sex by women should be legal (and 42% think it shoudl be illegal)."

More positive than I would have guessed given society perceptions

[cat1144]

Social attitudes to sex and prostitution in many southern european countries are much more relaxed than here in the UK, and yet these countries have compared to northern europe, low rates of teenage pregnancy and divorce

When I lived in Spain, as a young man in my early 20s, twenty years ago, when I went to buy the morning paper at one of those kiosks they have over there (equivalent of our newsagents), the vendor (even middle aged women) would direct you without prompting to the porn mags (placed right at the front) and without shame or embarrassment point you towards the good bits !


The taxi drivers in Madrid, seeing a young bloke get into their car, would casually chat to you about the best "puti" bars in town, before talking to you about their wife and kids 

Different world to the shame filled quasi puritanical attitude to sex we seem to have over here...

And yet Spain lacks many of the social problems we have, related to marriage breakdowns, step families, etc

Basically, Spanish men instead of leaving their wife and kids for the girl in work they've started shagging (because the wife stop putting out years ago) like many British men seemingly do....pay regular trips to Puti bars to satisfy their sexual urges ...and family life continues on


Their society is more pragmatic about male sexuality and caters for it without the shame attached

[ickydicky]

sounds good to me.

[unclepokey]

Smiths' short yet penetratingly thoughtful piece above I think is totally right.
I might only add that some little changes are from time to time possible to observe.
For instance I've recently encountered a couple who are still very much in love but who acknowledge (mutually) their need for
sexual fulfilment (separately) outside of their marriage. They are neither of much different libido. They both just want the thrill of experiencing
different partners but without loosing the security of their marriage.
Responders here have said words to the effect 'not in our lifetimes' and they may well be right. But little by little I detect a change that certainly won't be in my lifetime.

[ickydicky]

interesting anecdotal evidence uncle

[Turtle Z]

Interesting question and yes, I think it will, but not in my lifetime. If you look at the housing demographic, it has changed markedly over the last 20 years, so much so that we need substantially more one bedroom homes or flats because more and more are choosing to live alone. To my mind, I can simply see it being viewed as a lifestyle choice for those who choose to avoid relationships. Of course, I don't think it'll ever be viewed a acceptable for those in relationships.

[purple_t]

Make hay whilst the sun shines.  Can't see the law changing - coz plenty of politicians / high end supporters will be fucked if they get caught.  Especially if this includes rent boys for the politicians / govt 

Maybe the law will change, maybe it won't.
It's hard to deny though that feminism is on the rise and has an ever-growing influence in politics.
Many civilian women and especially feminists are dead against prostitution - moreso the buying of sex than the selling of it. They'll tell you it's because of women with no other options being exploited, some will say it's no different to rape. But the real reason for their opposition to it is because it gives men a viable alternative to pursuing relationships and marriage, and puts a price on the most powerful bargaining tool a woman has.
I suppose whether or not the law will change will depend a lot on who is in power, and whether there is a shift in attitudes and policy internationally. It may just be easier to keep things the way they are - legal, but kept quiet about (you won't believe the number of people who don't even realise that punting is legal).

[Davido0007]

Yes.

[lardybloke]

No.

Trolling and ripping to shreds is pretty much the norm these days, especially on social media, so there will always be a large and vociferous bunch of people who make it pretty clear that they despise you and everything you do, whatever it is. Something as clandestine and which is already perceived as being a bit grubby, like punting, I'd be very surprised.

[Gordon Bennett]

Setting aside the male or punter position, I suspect that there will always be a significant portion of the female population that will sneer at any woman who chooses not to get a "proper job" but opens her legs for cash instead. There seems to be a bitchy/catty gene hardwired into many women I reckon.

[thefoxman]

Paid sex is far worse than an affair in women's eyes

why ? because women are driven by emotions and imagine you are too
-they can imagine an affair being beyond your control,
or kid themselves that the women "did all the running".
paid sex/punting is seen more as a deliberate calculated event to them.

Also an affair "proves you are attractive to women", and sets off their competitive nature,
punting is too easy....


Even for singles, it's odd that punting abroad on a lads holiday is seen as "just about" acceptable, but not back home...

[howrude]

I tend to think that as long as punting is available and that there is no restrictions, then I don't really care too much about it becoming socially acceptable. I'm not able to tell anybody that I punt and about how great it is. But I don't think I'd enjoy it more if I could. Indeed, the secrecy can give it an extra layer of excitement.

[uncle jessie]

Well look at porn as an example, it wasn't that long ago that, what was legally available was very tame . But look at what we have openly and acceptably easily available now ! .Ultimately the chances of punting following the same route are slim, but never say never. Another example is lap dancing, frowned upon previously but now barely raises an eyebrow even with the NIMBY brigade, boundaries are constantly being lowered so don't totally give up hope of punting being the same  .

[Punter Pauly]

Nope, as it does not fit with the agenda that all WG's are forced to do it by nasty men/poverty/drugs etc.!

It could not be a chosen profession for any decent/normal/well adjusted female

[Horizontal pleasures]

And the next leader of the opposition is a lesbian.

doh?!

[Horizontal pleasures]

What if you found out or even met your GP? Or your family solicitor? Or your kid's school teacher? On the game if they were women, or in the parlour if they were men?

Your son? Your daughter?

Double values?

HP