Who's being exploited?

Question

I recently was talking with one of my woman friends and somehow we came on to the subject of strippers. Initially. her view was that it was a negative thing as it was "exploiting " women as well as objectifying them.I had to disagree. I think it empowers women and illustates a kind of superiority of the female gender. The word exploit(in verb form) means "to maximize the use of something for one's own personal gain" It seems to me it is the women who are doing the exploiting (and more power to them!) They are simply showing off their bodies and men pay them. No real service provided, no goods exchanged. Payment for the privilege of merely looking. (yes, I know other things happen but lets simply look at "exotic dancing') Men are so influenced by their sex drive-me included- that they pay to look. I think that is an example of who really is in control of the gender game.And I think it's great.I think women deserve much more respect then they get.Anyway, what does anyone else think?

For the record, I am a huge womens advcate ,volunteer at a shelter and an abuse hotline and have two sisters. Only two things in this world set me off; the treatment of Native Americans and abuse of women (physical, psycologigal,employment, etc.) But anyway! I ended up changing my lady friends mind and we discussed why there isn't more legitimate recognition of female entertainers like there is for most other fields. Apparently women can make decent money at it. If I could, hell yeah I would!

Answer 1

I've been exploited by strippers many times. My wallet is always lighter when I leave

Answer 2

I agree. While in college I had several female friends who danced at several local clubs. They told me that at each one there was a very large man who made sure no guy so much as tapped their shoulder. I also find it interesting that some women are so resentful. There is a woman who just answered your question saying that strippers exploit the wife at home. There's some logic. Do they put a gun to the husbands head and MAKE him go to the club? Blaming someone else for your husbands behavior solves nothing. It has that " my husband right or wrong" sound to it. And I think that is an example of women accepting their role as inferior. If it bothers a woman, why not tell her husband to stop going?
Regardless- the word exploit has a negative connotation to it. I would say stripppers are opportunists.

Answer 3

Mike Ock,
I think you are strange breed indeed. Men gock at women and women let them, I think we are talking about the genders that do not have any respect for each others sex.

Answer 4

I disagree with all of that. There is no gender "superiority".