Well, this is a nice surprise. I am an anthropologist that has a little time off. I have decided to take advantage of that time and do a cursory study of strip clubs. One of my first internet searches brought me here.
So let me introduce myself. Call antho101. I am a male and have been doing archaeology/anthropology (dual) for over fifteen years. My interest is in space and representation. I am a fairly regular customer at strip clubs ($$$ is an issue - I just don't make a lot - and time rarely permits many trips). I have always been fascinated by the natue of stripping and the role it plays it in our society (America specifically - Europe and Asia are altogether different).
I have been perusing many of the posts and looking for trends, ideas, thoughts etc. when I started feeling guilty. I need to let you know I am reading the posts on this forum. Not only is this an honest approach fairly well demanded by my profession but I just feel like I am eaves-dropping and that is something I feel horribly uncomfortable with. further, I may start asking questions soon or throwing out ideas.
But, if many of you find this objectionable, I will cease. Or, if you find being an object of study objectionable, I will also cease.
To let you know a little about the project, I am intersted not so much in the culture of exotic dancers, but in the role or place the club and their activities play in society.
Several of the basic theories are that they are exploitative of women (mostly female and about 50% male anthropologist believe this) while the rest believe it is liberating. What that means is that stripping either reinforces stereotypes of women as highly sexualized, 'out-for-the-money' people whose sexuality is being controlled by men (exploited) or that women finally have the capacity and right to control their sexuality in a manner heretofore unacceptable.
I also see the strip club as potentially a confrontational arena in which males and females hash out control of sexuality and roles in society.
So, this is what I am about. If you have any questions observations please feel free to ask.I shall be as honest as possible. Again, if you would like for me to skadoodle of the board, that is fine.
anthro101


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