Strippers and Stripping :: Free Essays Online

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 workas beingness something they enjoy. The financial independence gives them control over their lives and their ability to transfix a room full of men witha simple glance, further confirms their desirability. only when how far will it stretch before they fall victims to their own populace? (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 special issue was dubbed The Mens Issue, and contained an expos on denudation in gentlemens clubs. The quotation supra demonstrates the tension that exists in the field 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 rigorously objectifying, and does it serve only the interests of the men who are the viewers and the consumers? The stimulant above would suggest that the money and accolades that these women receive creates a mutually consumptive situation one that is beneficial for both parties involved, albeit in a incompatible manner. merely then the writer second-guesses herself, forging ahead to say But how far will it stretch before they fall victims to their own existence? (DC One, 37). What is this universe and is it ultimately as damaging as the author king imagine? Although the article does little to respond to this issue, many decades of researchers have assay to look at this and other questions surrounding the occupation of stripping. The results of the studies have been wide-ranging and suggest that there is no one office to view each the strippers themselves or th e 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 expend studies and articles that focus primarily on women as strippers to consider specifically the questions communicate 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 lively studies and literature in an attempt to locate moments of empowerment, a sense of agency, and, to imbibe Carol Rambo Ronais term, resistance strategies present in the daily lives and experiences of strippers.