Americans sure are interested in the lives of sex workers.

They tune in to shows like Showtime's "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" and "Cathouse: The Series," which aired on HBO last year. And when New York governor Eliot Spitzer got caught with his pants down, he got booted from his job (though not prosecuted) while his steady call girl got an offer for a reality show.

But even though we're forever fascinated by the world's oldest profession, it seems Americans still aren't sure they want prostitution legalized or legitimized.

Tales from the Front Lines
And those on the front lines--the women who work in the world's oldest profession--tell widely varying stories. A recent CNN article chronicled the lives of Natalie McLennan (pictured) and "Celeste," two women who spent more than a dozen years each working as prostitutes. McLennan says that she at times enjoyed working as a call girl -- and loved that she could make up to $2,000 in an hour -- but admits she is glad to be done with that part of her life. Her memoir about her years in the business, "The Price," is due out this month. (Read a detailed interview with her on Asylum.)

Celeste, on the other hand, worked the streets, and made significantly less money -- around $300 for a half-hour session. She quit the business this past May after a violent session with a client. "I was always afraid, every single time," she admits. "I did this for 15 years and I never stopped being afraid. The job isn't like in the movies."

Read more about life on the streets after the gallery.


Recent Headlines About Prostitution

    **FILE** In this March 12, 2008 file photo, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation at his office in New York. Federal prosecutors said Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 that they will not bring criminal charges against Spitzer for his role in a prostitution scandal that ended his tenure as governor. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said that after a thorough investigation, his office found no evidence that Spitzer or his office misused public or campaign funds for prostitution. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

    AP

    Connecticut state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, right, makes a point as Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster looks on at a news conference in Blumenthal's office in Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. Blumenthal announced that Connecticut and 39 other states have reached an agreement with Craigslist under which the online classified ad web site will act to crack down on ads for prostitution on its Web sites. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

    AP

    NEW YORK - MARCH 10: (FILE PHOTO) New York Governor Eliot Spitzer pauses before speaking to the media while delivering an apology to his family and the public following reported links to a prostitution ring March 10, 2008 in New York City. After federal prosecutors found no proof of any misuse of public or campaign funds in his part in a prostitution ring, they announced that they decided to not to criminally charge Spitzer on November 6, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    Jim Buckmaster, CEO of Craigslist, watches as Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal speaks at a news conference in Blumenthal's office in Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

    AP

    As Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal looks on, right, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster answers questions at a news conference in Blumenthal's office in Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. Under the watchful eye of law enforcement in 40 states, Craigslist pledged Thursday to crack down on ads for prostitution on its Web sites. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

    AP

    A woman who identified herself as Layla (2nd R), a 24-year-old independent sex worker who said she has an internet-based clientele, listens as Proposition K advocate Margaret Prescod participates in a town hall meeting in San Francisco, California October 30, 2008. The local ballot measure, if passed on November 4, would decriminalize prostitution in San Francisco. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters

    People walk through an intersection along Broadway Street in the North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco, California October 30, 2008. Local ballot measure Proposition K, if passed on November 4, would decriminalize prostitution in San Francisco. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters

    A woman who identified herself as Layla (L), a 24-year-old independent sex worker who said she has an internet-based clientele, listens during a town hall meeting in support of Proposition K in San Francisco, California October 30, 2008. The local ballot measure, if passed on November 4, would decriminalize prostitution in San Francisco. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters

    Proposition K advocate Margaret Prescod walks the room prior to a town hall meeting in San Francisco, California October 30, 2008. The local ballot measure, if passed on November 4, would decriminalize prostitution in San Francisco. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters

    A woman who identified herself as Layla (L), a 24-year-old independent sex worker who said she has an internet-based clientele, listens as Proposition K advocate Margaret Prescod speaks at a town hall meeting in San Francisco, California October 30, 2008. The local ballot measure, if passed on November 4, would decriminalize prostitution in San Francisco. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters



Curious -- But Not Comfortable
The American public, of late, seems to have reinforced its uncomfortability with the sex trade. Last week, California voters shot down Proposition K, which would have effectively decriminalized prostitution in San Francisco. And last week, Craigslist announced it was cracking down on "erotic services" ads by requiring a small fee and credit card verification for such postings.

Some researchers think these moves are right on target and that it's smart to continue viewing sex work as an unsavory lifestyle. Prostitutes often experience physical, sexual and emotional abuse, which can have lasting negative effects -- and that's if they get out alive. There's also a rising concern about American women, particularly underage ones, being trafficked against their will. (Check out MSNBC's riveting piece on "Sex Slaves in the Suburbs" for details.)

Click here to read more -- including two women's first-hand accounts of life on the job.


The Flip Side
Others who study the industry say bad things rarely happen in lawful brothels or among high-end call girls. They see that as a sign that legitimizing the profession could help -- workers might feel safer reporting offenses without fear of prosecution. And providing a legitimate service is a better option for women who have children to support and might otherwise have to work in low-paying positions, legalization supporters claim. Hear what two ex-prostitutes have to say and explore both sides of the debate.

Or, you could just take this whip-cracking statement from the Sex Work Support Center as proof that prostitutes aren't lying down about what they do.

"Most prostitutes aren't victims, but choose to provide a much-needed, wholesome service. Many feminists and religious groups are trying to twist sex worker debates, especially internationally, for their own agendas based on emotional rants, not facts."

Tell us: Should prostitution be legalized? Share your thoughts in the comments.