An Examination of the Literature on Strippers and Stripping
For centuries, psychologists, sociologists, academics, historians, and filmmakers have devoted themselves to the exploration and dissection of sex and power. All dancers talk about their work as being something they enjoy. The financial independence gives them control over their lives and their ability to transfix a room full of men with a simple glance, further confirms their desirability.
But how far will it stretch before they fall victims to their own universe? (DC One, 37).
This sweeping remark on the life and times of female strippers was extracted from a popular Washington, D.C. magazine called DC One, which focuses on the dining, entertainment, and nightlife featured in D.C. This particular issue was dubbed "The Men's Issue," and contained an exposé on stripping in "gentlemen's clubs." The quotation above demonstrates the tension that exists in the world of stripping, both within the private world of the strippers themselves, as well as in the public perception of this occupation. Is stripping empowering for women? Or, is it purely objectifying, and does it serve only the interests of the men who are the viewers and the consumers? The comment above would suggest that the money and accolades that these women receive creates a mutually exploitative situation; one that is beneficial for both parties involved, albeit in a different manner. But then the writer second-guesses herself, forging ahead to say: "But how far will it stretch before they fall victims to their own universe?" (DC One, 37). What is this "universe" and is it ultimately as damaging as the author might imagine? Although the article does little to respond to this issue, many decades of researchers have attempted to look at this and other questions surrounding the occupation of stripping. The results of the studies have been varied and suggest that there is no one way to view either the strippers themselves or the clients who access this service.
In this paper, I will attempt to do an overview of the studies that have been conducted on strippers and stripping as an occupation. I will utilize studies and articles that focus primarily on women as strippers to consider specifically the questions addressed in the opening paragraph. Are women empowered in any way by this occupation? Or, as some feminist theorists have suggested , is it purely objectification, with no positive benefits to the women involved? This paper will evaluate the existing studies and literature in an attempt to locate moments of empowerment, a sense of agency, and, to borrow Carol Rambo Ronai's term, "resistance strategies " present in the daily lives and experiences of strippers.
...ong with being a stripper is not a family oriented job position. The clients are out seeking attention from another female that is not their life long partner so to think that legalized brothels are the blame for men having affairs is absurd. If a person is determined to cheat then they are destined to find a way, even if that means gaining a secret lover. The women are people just as everyone else; they just need the necessary tools to prove that. Many of the women were educated at least with a high school diploma, some came from broken homes with absent fathers, while others grew up in two-parent homes, and fewer than half reported having experienced childhood sexual abuse (pg. 67). The underlining issues presented here are the goals that society presents and the means or ability to achieve them.
Murphy, L. S. (2010). Understanding the Social and Economic Contexts Surrounding Women Engaged In Street-Level Prostitution. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(12), 775-784.
She tries to investigate the reasons why these women are in the profession, their interactions with their ‘pimps’ and customers, their attitudes towards safe sex in light of the AIDS endemic, and above all, prostitution’s link to drug use. Her basic thesis revolves around these women’s thoughts and feelings regarding prostitution and the effect it has on their lives. Through her research, Sterk uncovers a demographic that ranges from 18-59 years in age, is largely African-American, and that most have completed high school. As these women reveal more about themselves, it becomes apparent that there is a spectrum of opinion regarding controversial topics such as drug use and safe sex. Many women admitted to not having used a condom with a partner who they were aware had HIV/AIDS.
Overt sexual and gender stereotyped messages have become commonplace in the American music video scene. Nicki Minaj 's video for her hit single “Anaconda” is no exception, with its graphic images of scantily clad women with vibrating and shaking bodies dancing around in an exotic jungle setting with plenty of phallic imagery. Not all of the messages conveyed by this video are immediately apparent; upon scratching the surface, viewers will see gender messages that are far more covert. And while there may be a temptation to assume the worst about the video 's representation of power, gender, sexuality, and stereotype, the video is also strangely empowering. On the surface, Minaj portrays the female gender as highly sexualized and disempowered and yet some of the deeper messages in this video also reflect a sense of female empowerment, confidence, and an embracing of sexuality and sexual assertiveness.
After all, a late grant has modified that detailing by uncovering a great record of female activism. The assignment is to depict and celebrate as well as to contextualize and along these lines to get it. Also, the structure of the work power and the business, the worldwide strengths that encroached on nearby occasions these particularities of time and place adapted ladies ' decisions and molded their personalities. Similarly, vital was a private world customarily pushed to the edges of work history. Female relationships and genders, between generations and class collisions, held the fuse of new shopper wishes into an element territorial culture stimulated ladies ' support. Ladies thusly were authentic subjects, making the circumstances from which the strik...
For years men and women alike have wondered the same question, that is, “Why do girls become strippers?” Well, there are three main reasons. The first reason being the opportunity for monetary gain to better their future. In Ganttageep's article, “Exotic Dancing: Illusion and Fantasy, An Exotic Dancers Path to Power”, he shows this desire for money in this following quote, “When asked why they got into the world of exotic dancing many women state that money is the main reason,” (Ganttageep.) In addition, there own personal desires play a huge role in their life changing decision. Finally, previous experiences in life and their skills and attributes greatly affect girls in their decision to become strippers.
Prostitution was a reliable work engagement that many women participated in. Why did the women feel this was their best option? Several critical, attractive benefits that only prostitution offered contributed to women’s’ choice of ...
The publisher, The Economist, implies that keeping prostitution illegal is merely a hindrance to business, and that corralling it into licensed brothels or entirely outlawing it does nothing for the “workers”. Despite the fact that the paper does acknowledge that some prostitutes are victims, they feel as though it overall is a voluntary action, simply because they can be found walking the streets alone. “That fiction” of forced labor, they claim, is being uprooted by media in recent years. In Source F, Newsweek writer Leah Goodman points out the omission of the other paper’s information on why women or men choose prostitution in the first place-- if it’s even a choice for them to begin with. The paper also discusses that it would limit brothels and pimping, “making it easier for third parties”. There were no statistics provided to support this claim. Goodman also ensures that she challenges The Economist’s claims, asking who truly would benefit from this sort of legalization. The answer? The 87 percent male readers of The Economist, of course, with an average household net worth of 1.688 million, and an average age of 47. While those statistics on the readers don’t specifically translate to anything more than that they would be capable of affording this type of “luxury item”
Davis, Angela. Interview by Sibhan Brooks. Dancing Shadows: Interviews with Men and Women Sex Workers of Color. (1999): Print.
The intention of this research is to clearly define the roles that drag performers fill in our society. With that objective, the key issues that must be clarified include offering what the distinction of a drag performer is compared to other individuals that may be mislabeled or misrepresented by such a title, and what education is lacking by those who challenge the concept of drag. In society it is a common theme to fear or demonize an idea we feel is taboo, even when we have a very weak understanding of what we fear. This research seeks to ease fears surrounding drag, and allow cautious individuals to approach the topic without feeling threatened. The further fear and apprehension is reduced, the more open to honest fact and interpretation people will become, which will lead to a more comfortable and open exchange of ideas regarding drag. Ultimately, this will allow for a stronger platform for drag queens themselves to utilize as ambassadors of their cherished art form.
Without a doubt, it is not difficult to hear the sexualization of women’s bodies in hip-hop music - and it is clear that the impact this has is not positive. Margaret Hunter linguistically analyzed the top fifteen “Hot Rap Tracks” on the Billboard charts in 2007 and 2008 and the top music videos in those years. Her analysis shows that gender relations often become object relations in these songs and that women’s body parts are very often depicted as objects rather than as parts of a human. In addition, she found that in the songs there were many references to a man’s desire to see women dance for him “as if they [were] strippers” (Hunter 28). Since the introduction of hip-hop music into popular culture, the sexualization of women has increased, especially because the common occurrence of words such as ‘letting it show’ seems to indicate ...
With prostitution still arising and thriving in present day America the Argument and war waged on it by media has changed from an advocated perspective, to being seen as present day slavery among women. Especially with modern practices of forced trafficking and drugged prostitution. the views have changed from one of a women's private and personal freedom of choice, to one of "the ones who weren't lucky enough to get away from being drugged, kidnapped and forced into slaved prostitution."
Buena Vista Pictures. 1990. Smith, Claude J., Jr. "Bodies and Minds for Sale:Prostitution in Pretty Woman and Indecent Proposal. " Studies in Popular Culture (1998): 91-99.
Although this film is a highly romanticized story of a single mother rising to the title of “Dancehall Queen,” it gives an accurate portrait of the atmosphere of a Jamaican dancehall, as well as capturing the independent, strong spirit of Jamaican women. “Too many young girls in Jamaica feel trapped by dirty old men who convince them that life offers no alternatives but a future in bed with them,” explains the film’s writer and editor Suzanne Fenn. “The sub-plot in “Dancehall Queen” might be unpalatable but it’s based on a prevalent reality.”
This essay will explore the question of whether prostitution should be seen as a job like any other through several key issues relating to the sex trade industry. The argument against prostitution as a job for women will be supported by various feminist theories. By following the discourse of prostitution as a chosen profession by women and the implication of the choice in the society, this essay will provide academic findings in answering the key issues in the sex workers profession. This essay will discuss the politics of women’s choice through prostitution and how feminist views have influenced it. The moral aspects of prostitution will be highlighted as well. The relationship of violence and abuse with prostitution is another key findings