Why do people think stripping is degrading?

[Lucifer911]

I've come up with some general perceptions of this occupation held by some members of the community. I also have my own response to each perception.

1) Stripping is degrading

How exactly is it degrading? it specifically calls itself 'adult entertainment do these people know what entertainment is?
does this also mean being an actor or actress must be degrading also?
What about when an actor plays the role of a serial killer? isn't that degrading because serial killers are the worst people in society so why try and act like them??? or how about when an actor is married yet he or she has a sex scene with another actor or actress who is already married to someone else? or how about working in a job within an unsafe environment (like a miner or in a polluted factory- isn't that degrading to your own body?

Most of these fools who think this don't even have an interesting job PERIOD.

2) Strippers have no self worth...
yep thats why they are in better physical shape than virtually all of the customers who walk through the doors. Likely they have a much better physique than people who say this too.

If someone had no self worth they would let their body image go completely..

3) Stripping is a slutty occupation
Obviously these people have never been to a club before. There is usually a strict no touch policy. Even stricter policies against prostitution and illegal acts within the premises exist too.

4) Stripping is a no brainer
It involves entertaining people... if you are truly smart you would work less hours for maximum cashflow. Once again these people probably wouldn't match the earnings of a good stripper.




Feel free to add comments?

[MysteriousMisty]

Good post. There are a number of reasons why some find stripping degrading.

I believe some feel that its degrading because one shouldn't have to parade naked or semi nude in front of strangers in exchange for cash. But then, standing at the off ramp of a freeway or panhandling in the middle of an intersection is degrading too.

Its also viewed as degrading because so many guys are quick to think that just because a woman is proud of her body enough to show it off for strangers, that automatically makes her a sex addict or prostitute. The guys should feel degraded by having to pay for sex because if they had what it takes to find the right person, they wouldn't have to pay for it.

At the same time, swimsuit models are also in the minds of strange men so in a way, there's not much difference between modeling and stripping.

Those who find it that degrading don't know what entertainment is. And when it comes to women who are stupid enough to talk shit about strippers, those are the ones that need to experience financial difficulty and start dancing for a living so they can start learning what its really like. Besides, there is a huge difference between entertaining and prostitution. What makes it degrading is when some asshole that's been generous in the past suddenly refuses to continue being generous unless the dancer is willing to sleep with him. Especially if he says some shit like "If you'd sleep with me whenever I'm in town, you wouldn't have to worry about those things."

On self worth.....I feel that its both mental and physical. There are numerous girls who are completely out of shape and still get hired at clubs. On one hand it takes a lot of self confidence to wear a skimpy outfit and show off your body. Something many have no problem doing when they're in shape. I don't know what to say about those who do this when they're completely out of shape. At the same time, there's a lap out there for every ass.

Slutty occupation and a job that doesn't require some level of intelligence????? Only the ignorant would feel that way. Its clearly not all about looking hot and being scantily clad to fulfill the fantasy of men. Not every guy that walks into a strip club likes the brain dead girls. They're entertained by girls who know how to talk to men, girls who have a functional brain and can carry a conversation.

I also wanted to add that the women who talk the most shit about stripping really have the desire to dance themselves. They want to be scantily clad and have men give them money but they don't have the self confidence, skills (and in some cases they don't have the looks or physique) to try it.

[kikidejavu]

ditto to everything above. people think its degrading because they wouldnt like doing it. they dont take into consideration that the things people like are different.

[CherryBomb954]

I've come up with some general perceptions of this occupation held by some members of the community. I also have my own response to each perception.



2) Strippers have no self worth...
yep thats why they are in better physical shape than virtually all of the customers who walk through the doors. Likely they have a much better physique than people who say this too.

If someone had no self worth they would let their body image go completely..

3) Stripping is a slutty occupation
Obviously these people have never been to a club before. There is usually a strict no touch policy. Even stricter policies against prostitution and illegal acts within the premises exist too.

Feel free to add comments?

Cool post....I definitely agree with #1 and #4, but as far as #2 and #3 are concerned.....I feel I have to disagree. Now keep in mind my opinion is based on working in one town, at 3 different clubs. I don't know how things are around other parts of the country/world for that matter....but here....being a slob wins. Also, being a fucking slut wins.

I don't know if it's the economy, my town, or what.....but being in shape and not giving blow jobs has been getting me nowhere for some time. I get sold out for the most slovenly, disgusting classless girls, and also for the ones that do extras, but that goes without saying.

I can count on more than two hands the number of girls at my current club that look and conduct themselves with absolutely no self-worth. They are also the ones making all the $$ while a shit ton of pretty girls who actually give a shit sit in the corner.
As far as the laws against prostitution, that does not seem to be stopping any extras or the managers that allow, and encourage, them.

It's a sad state of affairs here in my town. I can only hope that #2 and #3 are stil true out there somewhere.......

[veronicachick]

eh... I dunno about the no touching part... Here, girls allow alot of contact and there is several different kind of extras going on in the clubs.

[Lucifer911]

Cool post....I definitely agree with #1 and #4, but as far as #2 and #3 are concerned.....I feel I have to disagree. Now keep in mind my opinion is based on working in one town, at 3 different clubs. I don't know how things are around other parts of the country/world for that matter....but here....being a slob wins. Also, being a fucking slut wins.

I don't know if it's the economy, my town, or what.....but being in shape and not giving blow jobs has been getting me nowhere for some time. I get sold out for the most slovenly, disgusting classless girls, and also for the ones that do extras, but that goes without saying.

I can count on more than two hands the number of girls at my current club that look and conduct themselves with absolutely no self-worth. They are also the ones making all the $$ while a shit ton of pretty girls who actually give a shit sit in the corner.
As far as the laws against prostitution, that does not seem to be stopping any extras or the managers that allow, and encourage, them.

It's a sad state of affairs here in my town. I can only hope that #2 and #3 are stil true out there somewhere.......

hey thanks for the input
I am not a frequent customer at any strip joint but when I have been to them I always went to the upmarket places where the strippers conducted themselves with professionalism and self worth.. so it appeared anyway. I'm sure the women here on this board know a lot more than me on this issue.

If I was the manager or owner of the premises you worked at I would promptly expel any girls offering illegal services because it damages the club reputation and the industry in a big way. Most decent managers would..

anyway this post was created to defend the industry and to expose the ignorance of people who condemn it.

[missmays1983]

I get tottally enraged when I hear the comment "YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT"....that's one that I have personally heard myself and it really makes me wanna HULK THE FUCK OUT!!! It really makes no sense to me...most girls can't go to the quickie mart to buy a pack of smokes without getting hit or stared at and that's ok...but as soon as we figure out how to turn a profit on it all hell breaks loose...girls can go to clubs just to dance and have a girls nite out and some asshole is gonna try to buy you drinks you don't want or grab your ass etc etc etc and that's cool, but when we decide to put ourselves up on stage by our own adult decision, all the sudden we are whores...it's ok for a guy to meet a girl at a bar, pump her head full of shit just to try to get her to go home with him, and then he never calls. Bullshit bullshit bullshit.
It's okay for women to be sexy and feminine and entertain as long as it's on men's terms...since when did I need permission to do whatever the fuck I wanna do, when I wanna do it....fuckers...

"YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT..." then I say "No, I'm better than YOU because I'm not a close-minded asshole that judges others for making decisions on what to do with their OWN lives...speaking of life...GO FUCKING GET ONE!".

[LEIGH_LANDON]

Most of these fools who think this don't even have an interesting job PERIOD.

Feel free to add comments?

I think you took away some of the validity of your commentary/query by this statement.

Not necessary to throw mud back (mudsling) at those you feel think this way - to bring about your points.
I do understand what you are saying, and its defense mode that usually imparts a counter attack of sorts and I know you said SOME but that is still mudslinging regardless of the direction you are chucking that mud.

Anyway.

Most times its a lack of complete or clear information. No one gets a guidebook on everyone else's chosen profession in which to judge others fairly yenno?
Through the years my personal decision was to expalin some misconceptions where necessary (and where one was willing to hear such)
and to block out those that refuse to understand.

Ignorance is usually at the root of negativity, or prejudice or misunderstandings.

With that understanding for myself, I don't let it reach me.

[Paris]

Because we have our roots in a puritanical society that views sex and sexuality as evil. Even today Americans are way more prudish than most of the rest of the world (Middle east excluded). We use words like dirty, naughty and bad to describe flirtatious behavior. Public figures are chastised for private sexual activities, even though those sexual activities may seem tame to most people (I'm thinking of Clinton and Monica).

[doc-catfish]

OP...you must be new to the hobby because a great deal of your commentary in this thread shows a serious lack of understanding on the reality of how things operate. Even those "upmarket" places you visit with strict "no touch" rules have a shadowy underbelly once you peel the facade away. I'm sure every dancer on here has encountered a few things in herdancing career that she wishes she hadn't.

Stick around, and you'll find out for yourself.

[pinkkitten]

i agree wih the op on points 1,2, and 4. as for 3, while i dont think its a slutty occupation, no touch policies that are eforced are rare around here. im also bothered by how a lot of people who defend stripping are so quick to say or imply that prostitution is degrading.

[fluffypenguin]

It's ironic that these people are the same ones who do jobs they totally loathe because it is good money. They are the same ones who drive their boss about, do unpaid overtime and generally suck butt in the hope they get a pay rise or a promotion. The same people who go to the office social functions over being with their family for networking and improving career prospects. They are the same people who will get themselves up to their eyeballs in debt to wear designer clothes and drive expensive cars to impress people who are too shallow to be worth impressing. They are also the same people who will dump personal values, back stab, bitch, and undermine others so they look good.
A dancer or prostitute or anyone for that matter is only degrading themselves if they are doing something they totally dislike or changing their values for status or unessential possessions.

[Pretty_Penny]

a lot of jobs can be degrading, as can stripping. it all depends on the individual and the circumstances.

[Emiloo]

I think Paris hit it right on the nose. It comes down to our societal views, and unfortunately our society has taken on a very negative view of sex.

[MarvelGirl]

Because to some people it is degrading.

[Harlow]

Paris said it correctly. We are still being dictated to by the folks with the belt buckles on their hats and shoes i.e. Puritans. This is why it's okay to watch people being blown up on television,but GOD FORBID that we see a female nipple-we'll all be struck dead-ha ha. Also for a top industrialized country-the good ol' US of A has the highest numbers of unwanted pregnancies as well as STIs.

Both my mother and my sister got married when they got pregnant. I said to my mother "Why didn't you ask him(meaning her first hubby)to wear a condom?" She said "We didn't TALK about those things!" I said "Oh yeah! You didn't TALK about those things;you just DID them!" She also said "Your generation is perverted with its hand jobs and blowjobs and insisted that a penis wasn't for eating-ha ha. I guess she never found out what she was missing unless she led a secret sex life.

I feel part of the reason why people look down on strippers is that they cannot imagine themselves getting nekkid in front of an audience. While some may envy what we do;that's not always the case. And things aren't as black and white as Lucifer paints them. There are people in good shape that aren't strippers. There are people who aren't strippers who have interesting jobs that they enjoy.

It's very narrow minded to say or imply that the custies all go home to fat,ugly,boring women. Men come to clubs for various reasons not just because they have nothing good to look at home. Cheers, Harlow

[zoe69]

Because we have our roots in a puritanical society that views sex and sexuality as evil. Even today Americans are way more prudish than most of the rest of the world (Middle east excluded). We use words like dirty, naughty and bad to describe flirtatious behavior. Public figures are chastised for private sexual activities, even though those sexual activities may seem tame to most people (I'm thinking of Clinton and Monica).

I so agree! I think religion has a lot to do with it. It corrupted society of any natural instinct. It created guilt and guilt is the root of all evil.
Just my two cents!

[Postmodern Cinderella]

personally I think it would be more degrading to work at walmart.

I believe their employees are treated far worse than strippers

[justifymylove]

I think a lot of people confuse the fact that people try to degrade dancers with dancing being inherently degrading. It is a form of projection- people often are taught that their feelings of sexuality are wrong and evil, and so when dancers awaken those very natural instincts their self-loathing turns into the desire to make dancers the dirty and degraded ones- not themselves.

Besides, people only ever hear about extreme examples in the industry. For example, I live in Toronto, and stories about trafficked women who are coerced into dancing make the news more often than the story of the girl who danced for four years, got an undergrad degree and then got a nice HR job without much fanfare. I mean, certainly there is a dark side to the business that deserves to be exposed and fixed but people do get a skewed impression. It is unfortunate that this often results in judgment rather than concern over these very real problems.

As for point 4, certainly dancing requires a set of skills and smarts that is difficult to quantify- sales acumen? people skills? seduction?- but are not necessarily gained from institutional learning. Because formal education is so highly valued, people tend to believe that if you don't need a degree for it then you must not need a brain for it. This is clearly a very narrow perception and my advice for dealing with these people is to giggle and "I shore don't know nuthin about that fancy book learnin' but I do know that I have significant investments and a piece of property and you're still living paycheque to paycheque!"

[AkashaM]

The only thing that can make dancing degrading are the policies and rights violations implemented by clubs & management; ie house fees, crappy security, not paying out CR money etc.
Putting up with custy bullshit can be degrading if you let it get there.

However, the actual act of taking off my clothes and dancing around would only be degrading if I didnt have a choice. Nudity is freedom!

[davka]

personally I think it would be more degrading to work at walmart.

I believe their employees are treated far worse than strippers

Yeah, but lots of people work there and hold it down and deserve respect- i.e. us not judging their job as degrading. I think working at WalMart is stigmatized and looked down upon, like most working class jobs.

Being a CEO of a company that fucks over the world, the environment, the community- that's degrading. They just won't know it until they are burning in hell.

[davka]

Also, to play devil's advocate. I know a lot of women who got involved in sex work out of desperation and didn't feel they had easy choices. Stripping can be degrading like anything else, as Penny said.

I get just as uncomfortable when girls act like it's some dream job as I do when people bash it. Well not equally uncomfortable, but uncomfortable. All depends on the circumstance and person. It is complex, like everything else.

[she sells sanctuary]

I think a lot of people confuse the fact that people try to degrade dancers with dancing being inherently degrading.

exactly.

besides, the most degrading guys usually don't even come into the clubs because they "don't have to pay for it". they meet girls in regular places, get more bang for their buck, and treat them far worse than the average paying customer in a stripclub.

seriously. i feel safer and more respected at work than i do just about anywhere else. except on those nights when every guy there is "different" and just wants to take me to dinner...that's pretty degrading.

[dizzys]

Yeah, but lots of people work there and hold it down and deserve respect- i.e. us not judging their job as degrading. I think working at WalMart is stigmatized and looked down upon, like most working class jobs.

Being a CEO of a company that fucks over the world, the environment, the community- that's degrading. They just won't know it until they are burning in hell.

LOL..THATS FUNNY (the CEO thing)... But I totally agree with it all...!!

[Nakita Kash]

Kinda OT, but I recently had a newspaper do a story about my agency and I met them at a SC to take pictures and do a little interview. The photog recognized me from one of my sometimes gigs at a popular nightclub where I do pole dancing shows- he takes pics there too. Anyway, I told him that I would be there that night and he showed up to take pics. I chatted w/ him and thanked him for coming when I had a chance between shows and he said "so why do you do this?". Before I could say anything he said "well, I guess it's a job and it helps pay the bills, huh?"....WHAT? He was putting down the job I do where I DON'T take my clothes off?????? WTF? I am more proud of my nightclub gigs that I am of my SC gigs where I have to be oggled by men wanting to sleep with me. At least in a nightclub they appreciate the art and more women oggle at my ability that anyone else in the club.

I just thought it was weird, lol.