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Some deem it dirty, immoral, sinful and dangerous. To others it’s victimless, acceptable, and a viable source of income. Prostitution has supporters and resisters internationally remaining strong on both ends of the spectrum. Certain nations have legalized it, while others stand fervently opposed. The world’s oldest profession continues to be a vital branch of the sex industry generating over $100 billion annually on a global scale.

Prostitution is defined as “the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment.” But prostitution has been found in many cultures dating back centuries. In the Ancient Near East, “houses of heaven” were commonplace and prostitution was regarded as sacred. Even in Renaissance Europe during a time when the Roman Catholic Church strictly opposed sexual activity outside marriage, prostitution was accepted as a tolerable alternative to dispel compulsions of rape, masturbation and sodomy.

History doesn’t always define present-day circumstances, though. As a society, much has changed including the general regard towards women and more affluent laws defining what is legally acceptable. Today, in nations like Sweden and Norway, prostitution is considered a form of exploitation and it’s illegal to buy sexual services, but not to elicit them. In the Netherlands and Germany, prostitution is regulated as a legal profession. In many Muslim countries, it’s prohibited with both prostitute and client facing severe penalties.

Canada is one of the nations that technically doesn’t deem prostitution a crime, except that most activities surrounding it are. For instance, working within or operating a brothel, soliciting in a public place and being found in an establishment with those purposes are all criminally punishable acts. In the U.S., all but one state (Nevada) declares prostitution illegal and classes it as a misdemeanor.

So what are the pros and cons of such a profession and should the laws be amended either way? The cons to decriminalizing prostitution are hard to ignore. It demeans and degrades both the client and prostitute. Human trafficking of both women and children in third world countries and Eastern Europe is alarming and would continue to drive and promote despicable sex slavery acts. Profits gained through the “sex trade” often are recycled in other criminal activities. Sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV are difficult to monitor now and after legalizing prostitution, there may be a higher exposure to those risks.

On the pro end, many believe that prostitution is not a crime based on merit if it’s agreed to by two consenting adults. Decriminalization would better protect people in the sex industry from abuse and violence. At present, police units have task forces working solely on the industry, catching clients and prostitutes. Once apprehended, it’s a costly and often ineffective system. Legalizing prostitution would eliminate wasted dollars as licensed properties and guidelines would be enforced.

At the end of the day, there are lists of reasons on both sides that could ignite debate. It’s a subjective and controversial topic that will most likely never find a happy medium.

Decriminalization, Genevieve Castonguay, Nevada, oldest profession, prostitution Hide

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One thing about college life I took for granted was having my own room. My mom, who shared a room through her whole childhood, college and then marriage, tells me I had it good for 18 years. For the past three years, I’ve shared a bedroom with a roommate. But soon, my roommates and I are going to be moving into a new apartment where we’ll have our own rooms. I’ve been dreaming about creating my own space, and my new room is just the place.

The downside to all of this is I’m still on a college-student budget. My parents always find ways to help me out, but they’re thrifty too. As move-out gets closer, I’m also closer to achieving my dream room. If you’re getting your own room like me or looking to spruce your space with the same budget limitations, here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way:

• Find inspiration. Before I even got started, I looked at magazines, online articles and blogs for inspiration on color and design. (I really love Lovelyundergrad.com for design ideas.) This gives a starting point to decide what you like and how to go forward.
• Brainstorm. After you have ideas, start thinking of ways you can get the same aesthetic without breaking the bank. Maybe you can make something more cheaply than buying it or another retailer has something that looks designer but costs less.
• Garage sales and Craigslist. I’m currently looking for some furniture so my mom has been helping me scope out garage sales and search for people in the area selling on Craigslist. And used furniture doesn’t mean it’s bad. I found a nightstand and dresser in good condition for $50!
• Be your own handyman. I thankfully have a dad who is great at all things maintenance. I have him enlisted to paint any furniture I find, and he’s also making me a headboard. If you don’t have a “handyman,” many sites offer step-by-step instructions on how to make almost anything. I actually found directions for the headboard at the Better Homes and Gardens Web site.
• Revamp what you have. Sometimes, the things you already have just need a change here or there to fit in with your new room. The desk I have now was a color I didn’t like so I asked my dad (of course) to spray paint it so it fit with the other furniture. Also, I really don’t want to waste money on new artwork. So, I’m taking photos I already have and using Photoshop to change them up so they’re like my own little works of art.

Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t have a space you love. There are many ways to keep it inexpensive. It also feels so much better when you’ve contributed to the space. I know I’m going to love that my room was my creation from the beginning idea to colors to furniture.

Ashley Thill, Better Homes and Gardens, budget, college, decorate, design Hide

You can’t win them all, and sometimes you just have to lose big. Diesel’s newest ad campaign is collecting some interesting press for its fresh marketing strategy.

The “Be Stupid” campaign fashions a male model being straddled by three pairs of women’s legs, a female model flashing a security camera in a NYC alleyway (a hint of nipple is visible from the side), and another features a bikini-clad brunette model in what looks like a grassland with a lion behind her. The model is shown strategically taking a picture of her crotch while pulling her bathing suit bottoms out for a peak.

The series of ads read: “Smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls.” That’s just what we need — another attempt at glorifying idiocy to be added to the bunch.

I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to take that. And what does any of this have to do with clothing?

It’s not the smartest or most clever campaign out there, but they already knew that. Anomaly, the creator of the venture, actually ended up winning the Grand Prix, one of the most renowned awards at Cannes’ Lion’s International Advertising Festival. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to make too many friends in Britain.

The British Advertising Standards Authority has decided to ban the ads that were just being applauded weeks earlier.

The “Be Stupid” campaign was tagged by ad watchdogs as being lewd and antisocial. The antisocial part made me giggle a bit. I thought nudity brought people together — I guess not.

But this is not the first time Diesel has tried to push the bar. A few years ago in celebration of their 30th anniversary, the company used compiled video footage known as the Viral Factory in their online promotions project. The campaign uses cheesy 80’s porn clips along with animation and music.

As for “Be Stupid,” it was decided that the images portrayed “socially challenging” actions that might be attractive to younger consumers and might encourage behavior that was antisocial or irresponsible. Although the ban has not quite made it to the States, the ads have been prohibited from running on public posters.

Perhaps it is the simple case of British conservatism versus French glorification of all things tantalizing. Regardless, in the world of fashion ad space all press is good press. Meaning, ban and all, this controversial campaign has proven to be anything but its slogan. Maybe Diesel’s smarter than we’re giving them credit for?

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Life beyond death or the afterlife is a belief that crosses many religions, faiths, and observations. The common denominator for most afterlife existences is the belief that the consciousness or the mind becomes detached from the physical body upon death and in many cases, will continue to thrive in an immaterial or spiritual subsistence. Depending on religion followed, the spirit will go to a plane of existence based on the determination of a “god” or determined by the actions the person took throughout their physical lives. The afterlife specifically relates to another life wherein the essence or spirit lives on while reincarnation is another life commencing back somewhere in the Universe.

One of the earliest belief systems of an afterlife stems back to ancient Egyptians. When the body expired, two parts of the soul known as the ka (body double) and the ba (personality) would go to the Kingdom of the Dead. The Egyptians held the strong belief that in order to achieve afterlife, a deceased body must be properly mummified, embalmed and entombed in a mastaba. Ancient Greek and Roman religions believe that judgment is cast immediately upon death and the soul will be sent to the heavens and eternal bliss in Elysium or in torment of the underworld (Hades).

In Christianity, it is thought that one earns a way into heaven and receives salvation or if sinful, will be damned to hell. However, Christian viewpoints vary between different churches or doctrines and some believe that hell is not as final and damning as once described. It’s hard to differentiate all of the varying beliefs but the bottom line is that there is a distinction between a place of good and place of evil. Informal persons within the religion believe that humans are converted to angels once in heaven while ancient scripture states that God created angels before humans existed.

Islam’s Qur’an states that there are levels to attain in both realms of Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). The devotion to Allah and the deeds conducted in the human form are a test determining one’s fate in the afterlife.

Reincarnation or rebirth is the primary focus surrounding Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism ascertains that the body is a shell and the soul is indestructible and lives in a cycle of birth and death. At the end of the cycle the soul is lead to “Moksha” or salvation. Karma also is a part of Hinduism and accumulated through one’s good or bad deeds, reflected and mirrored in one’s next life. Buddhism revolves around the idea of rebirth and believes that karma will determine the form you take in the next life. For example, if you lived a life of greed and hatred, expect to be reborn into a lower form such as an animal, end up residing in hell or as a ghost.

At the end of the day, we will have to wait until our final moments to find out for ourselves what awaits us beyond this life.

afterlife, Buddhism, Christianity, Egyptians, Genevieve Castonguay, Hinduism, islam, Karma Hide

When I was younger, I went through a laundry list of future careers. I took up figure skating lessons because I wanted to be like Michelle Kwan, started dance and singing lessons for my potential Broadway stardom, and guitar lessons so I could front that all-girl band á la Josie and the Pussycats. I remember being really excited when I could strum out “Three Blind Mice” on my guitar. Sadly, I gave up my dreams of being a girl rocker (the lag time in-between my lessons and lack of practice contributed). However, there’s a whole new way for girls to get involved in music today and reach their rock star ambitions.

Girls Rock Camp began in Portland, OR in the summer of 2001. The camp was created “to eradicate all the limiting myths about music and gender that make girls afraid to speak up, sing out and make noise.” In a world where the music industry is so male-dominated, it’s sometimes hard for girls and young women to find female performers to look up to. At the camp, girls ages 9 to 18 spend a week creating their own bands, writing their own songs and practicing their instruments. In the past nine years, the program has grown to cities across the country with over 1,300 campers a summer. It also has expanded to include a Ladies Rock Camp for older women and a Girls Rock Institute, an after school program in Portland.

In June, the first Girls Rock Camp was held in Madison. Campers met during the day at an old music store and practiced their instruments. Any past experience singing or playing is not required so some girls were completely new to the experience. The campers practiced and took part in workshops centered around rock ‘n’ roll music and performing throughout the week. On the final day of the camp, each band recorded their song in a recording studio. Then came the showcase. At a popular music venue in Madison, the bands performed each of their songs for an audience.

Many of the girls had the same feedback about the camp: it was so much fun. Haley Meskin said, “…When we got up on the stage, it was really fun and exciting to show what we can do.”

Many of the instructors and volunteers are women who teach or perform at the local level. The music director of the Madison camp, Beth Kille, is also in the local band Clear Blue Betty. She said she’s happy that a camp like this exists, and the future may be brighter for female rock ‘n’ rollers.

“When I was growing up, there were a few female role models but not a lot,” Kille testified. “So, to have a camp like this when they’re surrounded by female instructors and women who are out there playing — I think it’s a wonderful thing to be part of.”

Ashley Thill, Clear Blue Betty, Girls Rock Camp, Girls Rock Institute, Ladies Rock Camp, Madison, Michelle Kwan Hide

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Let’s face it. The word recession has been thrown around more frequently than we’d like to admit, and the odds of surviving have grown far and wide. The Fed has already slashed interest rates, and stimulus checks have been entrusted into the hands of millions of consumers nationwide.

The two things you don’t want to do right now are buy a house or quit your job, but going to the mall may actually be a sound idea.

I recently read a report from Retailer Health Ratings (RHR), a ratings system ranked by the U.S. Census. The system’s ratings are released by an investment boutique that focuses primarily on retailer and consumer product divisions. The system is considered to be a standard barometer that evaluates vital fiscal information to ascertain the strength of each individual retailer. These rankings provide a great store-to-store assessment of more than 160 publicly traded retail chains and outlets.

When evaluating this type of information it is important to remember, all retailers are in “Stage One” of decline at some point. The RHR recognizes the financially strong companies that are able to vertically lift themselves from the competition and avoid debt. The key for many is to recognize the issues before the opposition and make the necessary adjustments.

Stores are measured on “healthy growth, asset utilization, pricing power, and balance sheet strength.” The description catalogs a complete overall rating for each retailer, and also presents relative ranks within 20 retailing categories. The stats are based on a five-year period. The highest-ranking apparel franchises were evaluated in categories as well as cohesively.

According to the news, we may be in a recession but the statistics show that’s not stopping the fashion industry from booming. The retailer’s health ratings system shows that six out of the top 10 most successful retail industries during the 2009-2010 year lie in the fashion world. We may all go broke, but at least we will look good.

It’s no surprise that Amazon leads the pack at the top of the list. This year is the retail giant’s second year in the number one spot. Dubbed a “retail super power,” Amazon is one of the few Web sites that practically caters to every consumer you can think of. From electronic media to loafers and scooters, Amazon has it all.

Following at a close second was casual youth apparel brand, Aeropostale and in third, top women’s apparel line, Urban Outfitters.

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The house lays dormant; the children and parents alike are asleep and all is quiet. Slowly, the faint sound of footsteps can be heard in the hallway. Abduction, especially of one’s child by a stranger, is one of the most feared incidences held by parents. The vast majority of the world will never have to experience or even worry about such an act, but it can happen and there are important factors to understand and be aware of to prevent it from occurring to your family.

The predominant amount of child abduction cases tend to involve parental figures or other family members. Often during custody battles, the fear of losing their child leads one of the parties to abduct the child and flee to prevent anything from an access visit to domestic violence. Only 25% of abduction cases of children involve a stranger. Motives involve intending to rear the child as their own or more sinister purposes such as sexual abuse or extortion.

Prominent cases such as the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom in Salt Lake City and the ongoing missing person investigation of Natalee Holloway who disappeared during her high school graduation trip to Aruba only add fuel to the fire of how could this happen to my child. Luckily for Smart, a national outcry of support and resources led to her being found nine months after her kidnapping and the arrests of her captors. For Natalee, the main hope is that her body will be recovered.

So what can be done if a child is ever put in a situation where they are held captive? What can we tell our children to prevent it? Almost all child kidnappings are conducted by men and two thirds of stranger abductions involve a female child. Many of the 2,100 missing children reports filed each day can be solved more easily if parents provide key pieces of information. Knowing height, weight, eye color, and possessing a clear recent photo can make a big difference. Ensuring all custody papers are in order, medical records are up to date, selecting qualified caregivers, teaching online safety, and dressing children in clothing with their name on it are all ways of reducing the risk of abduction.

Don’t be shy in having the “do not talk to strangers” discussion. Making children aware of what not to do will help the child make proper choices. Teach them how to use 911 or to approach a cashier for help if they ever got lost in a store instead of venturing out to the parking lot. For teenagers, make sure they have a buddy system in place, lock the house even when home for a short amount of time and never leave with a stranger even if they are a “friend-of-a-friend.”

While abductions are a real problem, with the right steps in place, education and proper judgment, you can protect your children..

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Miley Cyrus’s racy new image and break from her Disney counterpart, Hannah Montana, has had her in the news a lot lately. Now the star’s sexy new look may be more trouble than it’s worth. Perez Hilton tweeted a photo of the star supposedly panty-less. He took the picture down later in the day after mayhem ensued from outraged fans and critics, some saying Hilton should be charged with child pornography since Cyrus is only 17. He claimed that the starlet really did have underwear on and the picture had been photoshopped.

After it seemed the initial controversy surrounding the photo had somewhat died down, Hilton stirred it up again. This time with a photo of Cyrus in a barely-there leotard which exposed her nether regions. Some couldn’t believe Hilton was at it again. But at this point we have to wonder: is this the Hollywood media being too intrusive or should Cyrus tone it down a bit?

Although a lot of celebs have beef with Hilton over his sometimes rude comments, they have to realize that we live in a media-frenzied world. In the case of the first photo, I’d side with Cyrus. Nobody needs to be snapping photos of her panties while she gets out of a car. With the second photo, however, I side with Hilton. If it wasn’t him posting pictures and comments on his blog about Cyrus, there would be someone else. Other bloggers and news sources had their own pictures of Cyrus from the Much Music Awards in Toronto when her tiny leotard slipped. This was a public appearance where media was present. It wasn’t exactly an intrusion of her privacy.

Now, I remember being 17 like Cyrus. You want to be treated as an adult, and you are in a phase where you are taking on more responsibility. I was in my senior year of high school, getting ready to graduate and go on to college. So, I totally get that part. But I wasn’t running around in sky-high heels and revealing clothes. There are the same excuses — it’s different in Hollywood and show business, she’s being artistic and expressive, and so on. All I can say is if Cyrus wants to be treated like more of an adult then she needs to take responsibility for the decisions she makes. She is successful enough now that if she really didn’t want to wear hoochie clothes and dance on poles, she doesn’t have to.

One blogger made an interesting comparison between Cyrus and her friend, Taylor Swift. Both girls are very successful and close in age. But Swift doesn’t need to run around in flesh-baring outfits and is still considered an artist (she writes her own music). If she can choose how she wants to appear, why can’t Cyrus? It’s too soon to see how this new image will affect her career but, for now, I think maybe Cyrus should tame her new wild ways and leave the controversy to someone else.

Ashley Thill, hannah montana, miley cyrus, Much Music Awards, Perez Hilton, taylor swift Hide

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I recently read a magazine article on how to apply proper makeup with glasses. As I was reading the article it occurred to me that I never really wear makeup when I put my glasses on. To be quite honest, the days I don’t feel like putting makeup on I just throw on my glasses like a shield for my face. They’re like my back-up plan, my personal safety device in a case.

But this article got me thinking. Why not wear really hot eye makeup under my spectacles? Why not embrace my sexy and smart side at the same time?

I am a veteran glasses owner. I have owned a pair since I was six years old. I can actually remember the first time my dad and I went to pick them up. I had to wear them to school the next day for a class field trip to the zoo. As soon as I put them on I felt different. They were giant baby blue Coke-bottle frames, and my far-sighted vision meant I needed extra thick lenses. I was pretty hard to miss, and before long it became hard to separate myself from the oddity.

Ever since that first day I’ve struggled with feeling attractive or even cute with my spectacles. Once I got to high school sure I got contacts, the assumed savior for any glasses wearer, but as soon as I got home it was back to bifocal Dani. Parties, concerts, picnics whatever. I usually pick the contacts over glasses any day. Yet the irony remains contacts just don’t work as well. To this day I’m still trying to find ways to inspire myself to have confidence with my glasses on.

In Japan, fetishising girls with glasses is practically its own art form. The sexy nerd girl is the ideal mate for the nerd boy. She probably plays video games and loves anime. But are we all nerds because we sport frames?

Some of Hollywood’s hottest stars don prescription designer lenses. Johnny Depp, Leona Lewis, Julia Roberts, Rose McGowan and Jenny McCarthy are just a few.

Glasses are no longer your guaranteed membership to geekdom. With the right attitude and frame to pair, it may well be your ticket to the super-cool list.

If you don’t have vision problems, you can try accessorizing your look with a pair of frames without a prescription. Glasses can be a great accessory just for fun! It’s all about how you make a fashion statement. Let your glasses be the mirror to your personality.

Working with makeup and glasses can open up a whole new way to see yourself. You can create looks that don’t give you flashbacks to being called “four eyes” in elementary school. Plus, they really do make you look smarter.

I hope this post inspires other contact lens wearers to embrace their glasses!

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What do Tom Cruise, Orlando Bloom, and Patrick Dempsey have in common? Yes, they are all successful movie stars with exceedingly good looks but there is another little known trait they all possess — dyslexia. Between five and 17% of the world’s population will obtain some form of dyslexia, and it’s a disability that can be debilitating or manageable depending on how it is approached. For the aforementioned celebrities in a world where they rely on scripts and text, they found a way to manage their disability and rise above the adversity.

Dyslexia is classified as a learning disability that impairs one’s ability to read. It can take various forms and progress into difficulty with phological decoding and awareness, orthographic coding, rapid naming and auditory short-term memory. It is not formed based on lack of proper instruction or below-average intelligence; rather it is a brain-based disorder that arises from the inability to process graphic symbols and leads to difficulty reading, writing and spelling in your native language. Dyslexia can be linked to predisposed genetics, increasing the odds of acquiring it if it’s in your family history. It is “brain-based” because people with dyslexia actually have a larger right-hemisphere which also is why most people with dyslexia have strengths in the arts, athleticism and creative problem-solving skills. And thus explains the genius of other dyslexic members such as Walt Disney and Leonardo da Vinci.

When it comes to treating the disability, it is important to be proactive and start as soon as it is identified. While it is never too late for people to improve their language skills, it is favorable to work with children who are diagnosed with the disability as they are still in the process of learning as well as understanding language and are easily adaptable. To be able to treat dyslexia, you must first understand it and recognize the signs. To be certain of a diagnosis, a few tests performed by a pediatric doctor or psychologist can help assess if there are deficiencies in cognition, communication, sensory/motor, or more and determine the type of dyslexia the child may have. Once all of the proper tests have been completed and the level of impairment is determined, then treatment options become available. Sometimes, it takes switching schools or programs to fit the needs of the child and may require additional tutoring with mentors trained to work with dyslexic children outside of a school environment. Either way, there are methods of treatment that can be beneficial.

The most important factor to be aware of is that if someone you know has dyslexia, they are not to be mistaken as mentally deficient or treated as handicapped. As comedian Robin Williams, billionaire Richard Branson, inventor Alexander Graham Bell and former Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill have all dealt with dyslexia, there is definitive proof that the disability can be defeated and success can be achieved.

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