De Wallen is the largest and most well known red light district in Amsterdam. It consists of a network of about three hundred cabins that are rented out by prostitutes. Prostitution is allowed in Amsterdam, but it must take place in a legal and transparent manner; which means no street prostitution. While health and social services are readily available, sex workers are required to undergo regular health checks at the government’s expense. Brothel owners and room operators often require health certificates before employing or leasing rooms. De Wallen also has a number of sex shops, sex theatres, sex museums, cannabis museums and coffee shops that sell marijuana. De Wallen is the oldest red light district in Amsterdam and therefore has a very large tourist attraction.
Group: Muneeb, Jorge and Jamie.
4 responses so far ↓
ml155866 // Mar 2nd 2017 at 5:17 pm
It is interesting that prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and arguably encouraged as the government regulates it. The health certificates and health checks are definitely beneficial to the women employed and ensures that the practice is done in a safe environment. If prostitution is not encouraged by the government, it is still good that they are able to regulate and control it. In Thailand, the red light district is somewhat of a tourist attraction as it has lights, bars, hotels and nightlife; I wonder if De Wallen is also a tourist attraction.
j.guzman3 // Mar 2nd 2017 at 8:48 pm
Amsterdam is the home to the largest and most popular red light district in the world; De Wallen. Red light district is essentially a broad term that means area where sex related trades can thrive. Many have come to believe that the vast array of entertainment that the Red Light District provides is precisely what will lead to the downfall of the city. Red Light Districts are relentlessly looked down upon and scrutinized. As Muneeb states “De Wallen is the oldest red light district in Amsterdam and therefore has a very large tourist attraction.” But this is exactly why it’s looked down upon, for those opposed to the RLD think that people should look past the prostitution and sex shops to get a proper idea of what Amsterdam is all about. However these vices are a part of life and Amsterdam profits.
-Jorge.G
k.parkinson1 // Mar 2nd 2017 at 9:37 pm
Wow, I never knew that prostitution is legal in Amerstdam. After looking it up, I see that prostitution in the Netherlands is legal for people as long as they are over the age of 18. It’s good, though, that those who are sex workers are able to receive proper health care and social services. As well as regulating the places, such as the brothels, and making sure they are suitable to be up and running. Also, it seems that the government in Amsterdam is lenient when it comes to drugs(marijuana) as you guys mention, and even the legal drinking age, which is 16.
j.yatcha // Mar 2nd 2017 at 11:13 pm
In De Walden women literally stand in windows under red lights until someone decides to come in for a spin. I find it funny how literal the term “red light district”, pictures from the area iconic for those red windows. On a side note, if a window is blue it means that the person standing in that window isn’t actually a women, instead they are a transgender. This got me thinking about what the economics behind this industry are. It turns out prostitutes generally charge about 50 euro for 20 minuets of oral sex and intercourse, or 30 for one or the other. The prostitutes generally rent out a small room with a window in the day for about 80 Euro and 115 Euro for the night shift. Prostitutes have strong incentives to be doing what they are doing as there are few other opportunities to be making this type of money with out significant investment of time or money.
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