I agree one should not extrapolate from some Weimar or Belle Epoch nostalgia. Neither should we extrapolate from those forced into selling themselves by extreme poverty or homelessness. I have addressed that by saying we should have other social policies to avoid such circumastances in the first place or to offer alternative solutions if we cannot. While I respect your arguments about alternative work, there may well be others who see prostitution as a better alternative. If say a student found that an evening entertaining a businessman/woman paid the same as working for 6 evenings a week in a bar and allowed them that extra time to study, would you deny them your choice even if they did not decide on the "legitimate" option?

The situation is not black or white but one of deciding which shade of grey to go with. I am reminded of a story about Winston Churchill at a dinner who asked a woman he disliked if she would go to be with him for a million pounds. When she said she might, he then asked if she would do so for a shilling. She responded haughtily "what do you think I am?" to which he said "Madam, we have established what you are, we are merely trying to agree the price"