First of all, gansje, thank you for this sane and well-written, reflective piece that merits large exposure.
Secondly: I sometimes get students who are exotic dancers. They say they are/feel empowered by their job. I get it, and I'm glad we live in a country where we can do what we want. But though dancers feel personally empowered, they really are just reiterating & fueling worn-out cultural stereotypes that ultimately damage us. Meaning, it's hard to be taken seriously as a working woman when men see women as armatures that support tits and ass.
This has always bothered me as well. When I have a student tell me she is a "sex worker" and announce that this is done by choice, free will, finds it empowering (and money making)...I just shake my head. Is my reaction and indication of my age? Despite a student's defense that there is no difference between working as a say, professor's research assistant, vs an exotic dancer, ("It's a job") I cannot agree with the student.
no subject
Secondly:
I sometimes get students who are exotic dancers. They say they are/feel empowered by their job. I get it, and I'm glad we live in a country where we can do what we want. But though dancers feel personally empowered, they really are just reiterating & fueling worn-out cultural stereotypes that ultimately damage us. Meaning, it's hard to be taken seriously as a working woman when men see women as armatures that support tits and ass.
This has always bothered me as well. When I have a student tell me she is a "sex worker" and announce that this is done by choice, free will, finds it empowering (and money making)...I just shake my head. Is my reaction and indication of my age? Despite a student's defense that there is no difference between working as a say, professor's research assistant, vs an exotic dancer, ("It's a job") I cannot agree with the student.