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Brothel
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A brothel, also known as a bordello, cathouse or whorehouse, is an establishment specifically dedicated to prostitution, providing the prostitutes a place to meet and to have sex with clients. In some places, brothels are legal, and in many countries, places such as massage parlors are allowed to function as brothels, with varying degrees of regulation and repression. Depending on zoning, brothels may be confined to special red-light districts or 'tolerance zones'.
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A brothel, also known as a bordello, cathouse or whorehouse, is an establishment specifically dedicated to prostitution, providing the prostitutes a place to meet and to have sex with clients. In some places, brothels are legal, and in many countries, places such as massage parlors are allowed to function as brothels, with varying degrees of regulation and repression. Depending on zoning, brothels may be confined to special red-light districts or 'tolerance zones'. Brothels were very common in the past, but today most European countries prohibit them. There are however exeptions, for example Netherlands or Germany (see Prostitution in Europe).
Business models
Brothels use a variety of business models:
- In some, prostitutes are held in involuntary servitude without the option to leave, receiving only a small portion (or none) of the money paid by the patron. This is typical where human trafficking procures a large percentage of prostitutes, and is common in (though not limited to) countries where prostitution is forbidden or repressed. In some cases, prostitutes are bought and sold by their keepers, reducing them to a state of chattel slavery. All of these are illegal in most jurisdictions.
- In others the prostitutes are employees, receiving a small fixed salary and a portion of the money spent by the customer. (Maison close French for "closed house")
- In the regulated brothels in Nevada the prostitutes are contract workers who split their earnings with the house, and are often expected to "tip" support staff (cleaners, limo drivers, etc.); they receive no benefits, such as health insurance, and no withholding for Social Security taxes.
- In still others, the prostitutes pay a fee for use of the facilities, with the brothel owner not being involved in the financial transaction between prostitute and client. (Maison de passe, French for "trick house")
In those countries which restrict or forbid prostitution, the latter provides some level of plausible denial to the facility owner, who often (thinly) disguises the brothel as a massage parlor, bar or similar facility.
Military brothels
Until recently, in several armies around the world, a mobile brothel service was attached to the army as an auxiliary unit, especially attached to combat units on long-term deployments abroad. For example, during French and Japanese colonial campaigns of the 20th century, such employees were mainly recruited among the local populace of Northeast Asia and Africa; often, some of the women were underage. Because it is a touchy subject, military brothels were often designated with creative euphemisms. Notable examples of such jargon are , replacing the term "". Women forced into prostitution by the Japanese occupation armies throughout East Asia were known as "Comfort battalions". The prostitutes were individually referred to as "Military comfort women" or . Some men were jealous of such easy work, getting to sleep with military men as well as being paid, which led to Anthony Currie to start up 'drag brotheling,' where men dressed up as women and became prostitutes.
Nevada brothels
In the United States, the only state where brothels are legal is Nevada (see List of brothels in Nevada and Prostitution in Nevada). Prostitution outside the licensed brothels is illegal throughout Nevada. Brothels are allowed only in counties with populations of fewer than 400,000 inhabitants (which means prostitution is illegal in Clark County which contains Las Vegas and its metropolitan area), and not all qualifying counties have allowed them. County governments license and regulate brothels within their boundaries. The brothels and their employees must register with the county sheriff and receive regular medical checkups. Brothels have existed in Nevada since the old mining days of the 1800s and were first licensed in 1971. As of June/July 2008, 28 brothels existed in Nevada.
The legendary Mustang Ranch operated from 1971 through 1999, when it was forfeited to the federal government following a series of convictions for tax fraud, racketeering, and other crimes. Currently 8 out of Nevada's 16 counties have active brothels (these are all rural counties). All forms of prostitution are illegal in Las Vegas (and Clark County which contains its metropolitan area), Reno (and Washoe county), Carson City and a few other places.
Regulation
Various countries have fully legalized prostitution (as opposed to only tolerating it) in the last decades, including countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and New Zealand among others. Most of these countries favor brothels, at least in theory, as they are considered to be less problematic than street prostitution. Laws regarding the operation of the brothels often include strict regulations, for example specifying that they may not be situated in certain zones (such as in residential areas or near schools) and usually prescribing various regular health inspections for prostitutes. However, the degree of regulation varies by country, for example, in Netherlands prostitutes are not required to undergo mandatory health checks. The laws regarding regulation vary widely. .
See also
Bibliography
- 101 Brothels i Have Loved, DJ Tramp Steamer
- The Bishops Brothels, E.J. Burford
- The House of Dolls, Karol Cetinsky
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