Is marriage just legalized prostitution?

It's an oversimplification to suggest marriage is JUST legalised prostitution ... for many, of course, this is not the case at all. For many, a love relationship exists and the sexual-economic exchange which defines prostitution is irrelevant, particularly for women who are wage-earners in their own right and not financially dependant upon any man. However, as much as it offends the sensibilities of the delicate, the fact is that yes, sometimes there is effectively 'prostitution', even within marriage. This has long been recognised by early feminist theorists studying sexual economics, who believed that all women in society were prostitutes somewhere along the continuum, it was merely a question of degree whether a woman sold herself to one man (ie got married!!), or to many men. The only distinguishing factor separating those we are willing to deem "prostitutes" from all other women was the degree of overtness. In fact some feminists argued that marriage was really just a form of prostitution in which women received poor recompense for their work, were more vulnerable to violence (from their husbands), and had less control over their daily lives than professional sex workers.

The lady you refer to in your question is, to my mind, effectively a prostitute. Her comment refers to her own willingness to trade sexual favours for money, albeit with her husband. There is no suggestion of love, passion, bonding, or emotional intimacy. I do realise her comment is taken out of context, so within the parameters of this question we are, of course, working with that limitation. But that scenario you presented is indeed prostitution undercover of the respectability of marriage.

I do feel that regarding the relationship between sex, power, and economics, it is moreso women who are willing to have a marriage that mimics prostitution practices. I think most men would consider that it would in fact be cheaper and a lot less drama to hire an actual prostitute now and then, especially when one considers the long-term risks of potentially being liable for child support and hefty divorce settlements. And of course, the accompanying emotional turmoil.

You have a lot to learn and need to mature quite a bit before you will be ready for the responsibilities of marriage. Marriage isn't about legalized sex. Sex is legal with or without marriage. Marriage is about providing for the other person. Loving them unconditionally no matter what happens. If times get tough, working things out and hanging in there not cutting bait and walking away. If you don't love the person totally and completely, the only thing that will happen is you will get divorced. There's already enough of that as it is so do everyone a favor and grow up before you get married.

No. Marriage is about sharing your life with someone that you can't live without. It is about understanding that whatever comes your way you want to face it head on together... so that in love the great times are even better and the low times are not as bad as they seem. Making love is a choice... there are a lot of things that a spouse can do to be more desirable... usually a healthy sex life is the byproduct of respect, love, and trust... women don't put out so they can have grocery money.

I do think SOME marriages are exactly that. There are so-called woman's rights groups that claim that as well, and that all marital sex is rape. And the women in our culture are becoming more and more dismissive of the role of men beyond their DNA and their paychecks.

In that specific instance, I think you're misinterpreting what she said, as she was speaking figuratively rather than literally. In a deal with a prostitute, the sex is strictly for the man's enjoyment in exchange for money. Marital sex is for both party's enjoyment.

I think you have oversimplified it just a little,but that is how it works.

Women trade sex for something they value. Love, safety, shelter, food or whatever. That's the definition of prostitution isn't it?? I think men like to have a servant and entertainer mixed in with the sex. Can't see anything wrong with the arrangement. Works for me.

Saying you're not financially Dependant on any man because you work for a living is rather blind to reality is it not? If you work for a company you are Dependant on that company for survival along with the leaders of said company (at least some of them no doubt are men). That company is financially Dependant on its suppliers and customer base. No one is truly independant, not unless you grow your own food and supply your own electricity.

This topic is worth people's attention

NO. Marriage is a church thing and came about to insure the church got a cut from inheritance of property.Love had nothing to do with marriage when it came to the church. Marriage meant money for the church. I have NO doubt that there ARE some women who marry just for the money and yes, in that sense it is prostitution with the difference being a single customer. However, I also think this is a rare case, and not a general rule. Of the several woman I know who are or were married, only ONE admitted to marrying for the money, and it was for a LOT more than just "grocery" money. Think "Pretty Woman" type of lavish treatment, jewels, clothes, spending money, unlimited credit cards, the WORKS... This reminds me of a joke. The guy in the bar says to the woman, "Would you sleep with me for a million dollars?" The woman thinks for a bit and says "Yes." The man then asks, "Well, how about $100,000?" The woman thinks a bit more and says "OK." Then the man asks, "How about for $50?" And the woman says, "Of course not! What do you think I am?" To which the man replies, "We already established WHAT, now we're just haggling over the price."

No. I wouldn't think so, considering they bet up half of what they got in case of divorce. You can get what you want from 'em without marriage. If she only wanted grocery money and she would give sex, why does he need to marry her?

In theroy that's not what it is, but the actuality of most marriages confirms your assumption. People in this day and age, for the most part, marry for material reasons.