Spinner72 Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 What has changed more in recent years is the reduction in community activity. Particularly in the "central belt" of Shetland. I'll probably get jumped on from all angles here but I see this area as one of the many non financial areas where Mareel can/will help. No, it wont cure all problems overnight, but I think it improve things for many. I base this on my experience in the role community halls and the activities surrounding them have in building a community spirit, and believe Mareel is ideally set to be a "local hall" for all of Shetland. However, as mentioned above, a "dark side" to Shetland's society has always been there, and always will be. We are too ideally suited for purposes of illegal activities (smuggling etc), and big money enterprises, for that to ever change. One of the differences, which applies the world over, is knowledge. Often those at opposite ends of society knew little of each other if they even knew they existed at all.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OP8S Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 I apologise if I have been a bit nieve thinking that prostitution was not a problem in Shetland. In my defence I have only my Shet. Times & phonecalls to friends back home, where the subject doesn't really come up I'm glad to say. Can't say I've ever read of any fiscal charges being made regarding working girls. I'm sure "kerb crawling" is seen as a method of returning home from the local on a Saturday night but for whatever reason they need the money are putting themselves in a possibly dangerous position & need all the help they can get from Shetland society. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DePooperit Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 With regard to prostitution, there is well documented evidence of prostitution in Shetland for 400yrs, particularly in Lerwick. Perhaps not continuously but, more so at any time there has been an increase in visiting incomers, there has been an upsurge in that particular cottage industry, along with other less scorned commerce. What has changed more in recent years is the reduction in community activity. Particularly in the "central belt" of Shetland. Dormitory settlement living and various other factors mean that folk live in an area that could be Shetland, but equally could be anywhere. It's a hard one to address, because the more folk become 'townified' the less it is seen as a problem and the more centralisation will occur, less rural shops, schools and amenities. None of it will be replaced when it's gone, or at least not until poverty and transport costs mean that people can no longer afford to go to Tescos for all their shopping and socialise in Lerwick whenever they choose. Then small shops may re-open, but so long as TV and the internet provide 'community' and entertainment, folk will live in a virtual annex, seeking only major events to draw them out to socialise.Some day Tescos may put on a live band at the weekend, a bit like those that played on the old Clair, then folk can really get it all in one place. I think that sums it up. Shetland is the underdeveloped outskirts of a small town misplaced from the Central Belt of Scotland, itself a remote Northern province of the UK, which is the unofficial 51st state of a failing world power. The word 'Shetland' has no significance other than as an administrative area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Any women in Shetland that prostitute theirselves? Help is available.http://www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/content/prostitution/205,172/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadger Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Personally ive not been aware of any prostitution whatsoever but then am always in the wrong place at the wrong time and in this context glad to be so. Drugs are driving folk to this do you say ? and counselling going to clear it all up do you think? , i wouldn't know. More prevailant and concearing to me is the multitude of satanists and pagans , personally the five pointed star brigade set off alarm bells too !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Not content to promote healthy discussion eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadger Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 troll troll yourself , how come opinions and values that dont match yours are all so horribly wrong ? could it be due to your own hippy generation n acid fuelled dreams theres little or no rules or decorum left ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 What has changed more in recent years is the reduction in community activity. Particularly in the "central belt" of Shetland. I'll probably get jumped on from all angles here but I see this area as one of the many non financial areas where Mareel can/will help. No, it wont cure all problems overnight, but I think it improve things for many. I base this on my experience in the role community halls and the activities surrounding them have in building a community spirit, and believe Mareel is ideally set to be a "local hall" for all of Shetland. You are right about the Mareel, reading the minutes of the meetings held seem to indicate allot going on. I wonder if there is a Shetlander who could share the job of getting stuff on. The educational side looks good as well, there seems to be a push to hold as many classes as possible. It will certainly help. Prostitution may not be the same as the red light areas south but more of a private arrangement. There are many facets to this trade, you do not have to be destitute to sell sex, for some it is a living, to give their kids a better chance. Drink does not help, as discussed in another string/thread , stats prove it does more harm to the whole of society. It is easier to just concentrate on matters that break the law though. As I said in the Goudies string/thread, insinuating that a creed or race is to blame or part of can be seen as breaking the law. Religious hatred is a poor shot at fixing a problem that really has nothing to do with it. Sometimes personal thoughts should remain so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadger Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 I bow to your vastly superior knowledge on absolutely everything from tarmac to religion , from needles to battleships etc etc , but at the end of the day i'm here and in touch with going on n whats underlying , and you're thankfully in Preston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 So is your Council. They get it wrong apparently ALL the time. Not saying you do. I respect others point of view and can see sometimes where it may come from. Having lived all over the place puts me at a greater advantage.I have a personal interest to what goes on there and it is my right to do so. I too have voiced my opinion, but sadly a few can only be rude and insulting with most responses, mind it seems one has left us, for reasons I do not know. The other problem is the sensitivity to the forum itself, with recent reports, it would be unfair to start anything or suggest anything of the nature you are insinuating. This maybe another example of why society is as bad as it is reported, yet I see far more happy folk than those not. Oh, I have never been a hippy. Trousers used to get tangled in my grifter chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OP8S Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Personally ive not been aware of any prostitution whatsoever but then am always in the wrong place at the wrong time and in this context glad to be so. Drugs are driving folk to this do you say ? and counselling going to clear it all up do you think? , i wouldn't know. More prevailant and concearing to me is the multitude of satanists and pagans , personally the five pointed star brigade set off alarm bells too !!! Povety is the main cause of prostitution, I know some of the women down my way do it to finance substance abuse problems, I also know that quite a few of them do it just to feed the kids, some even to help them pay their way through further education. To me it doesn't really matter what the reason is behind it. I think a forward looking society should be looking at ways of helping these from becoming exploited, possibly harmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OP8S Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 We always rely on someone else to fix our problems. What we don't want is persecution. there has been enough of that already. You can get involved, anyone really, parish councils can do things and represent the community in a wider forum. You could set up groups to help folk. Prostitution can also be helpful in some cases, I have even heard it in a pub/bar in Lerwick that folk provide a service to help with matrimonial problems, and all are happy. Mixed with drugs or alcohol it becomes a big problem. Women suffer violence at the drop of a hat, too much drink, football results and so on. It seem men are now coming forward with accusations of abuse done to them by women. It may be society may not have changed but instead of dealing with our problems ourselves we report it. (MOD---oops, should have known better, sry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadger Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Personally ive not been aware of any prostitution whatsoever but then am always in the wrong place at the wrong time and in this context glad to be so. Drugs are driving folk to this do you say ? and counselling going to clear it all up do you think? , i wouldn't know. More prevailant and concearing to me is the multitude of satanists and pagans , personally the five pointed star brigade set off alarm bells too !!! Povety is the main cause of prostitution, I know some of the women down my way do it to finance substance abuse problems, I also know that quite a few of them do it just to feed the kids, some even to help them pay their way through further education. To me it doesn't really matter what the reason is behind it. I think a forward looking society should be looking at ways of helping these from becoming exploited, possibly harmed. Am very sorry i cant add or detract, only read and digest. I did know someone who worked in "the trade" a few years back and had kinda given it up , but she maintained it was fun job. Really it isnt on a scale here that anybody would notice. Never been aware of it going on at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckleJoannie Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Prostitution in Shetland in the past was not limited to Lerwick. I can recall of hearing of a couple of women who would oblige if you went along their house and laid the appropriate sum on the table. This was in the pre oil era when opportunities for a single mother to earn money were very limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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