Stripped

Misty is what some may call your average 21-year-old college student. She rushes to classes, stresses over finals, and spends hours on homework. The only difference is when others leave school to attend their part time job at a restaurant, Misty packs up a suitcase and heads for what she feels is more rewarding. After driving 20 miles out of her way, Misty finally arrives at her destination; a strip club in Riverside which acts as a second home. Already exhausted from the hectic school day, she rubs on body glitter, straps on her heels, and prepares for another long night. Misty is just another girl who holds a "secret side job" in order to pay for college. With her place of employment miles away, who would ever figure out her secret? And if she is caught, would it really be a big deal anyways? She is only doing it to better her life.

When one thinks of the term "stripper," many imagine a broken down, coked out female selling her body for cash. The term has developed an extremely negative connotation, and many assume that exotic dancers are addicted to drugs and promiscuous sex. As stated in a Sociology article by the Taylor and Francis group, the American culture will continue to look down on adult entertainers as deviant. Many feel a girl dancing to support herself through college is unimaginable, because society claims that only uneducated individuals participate in such a lewd lifestyle.

According to About.com, over 6 million students experience financial problems each year. With tuition fees rising, there's no doubt that some students would go to any length just to make enough to get through college. Many resort to working two jobs, taking out loans, and living off the bare minimum. With that in mind, wouldn't it be easy if you could pay for an entire semester with one night's work? That's the question many girls ask themselves before stripping off their clothes in front of people. According exoticdancer.com, the average stripper makes somewhere in between $400 and $1000 a night. After taxes, a full time minimum wage job averages to around $800 a month.

Lola is a college student who has been performing at a local Stanton club for a year. She has struggled with financial problems her entire life, and her family refuses to pay for college. "I always knew the importance of education, even coming from an uneducated background," she said. "My parents don't approve of my job, but I know when school is finished I'll be able to achieve much more than they think I can." Lola's situation isn't a rare one. Her family doesn't support her decision to pursue an education, which is the main reason she got into dancing. However, she claimed that it won't stop her from getting a degree, and feels that every lap dance will be worthwhile in the end.

Although exotic dancers can pay their bills, negative stereotypes will always be associated with their profession; even when they are trying to better themselves.

In 2001, Leilani Rios, a track star at California State University Fullerton, was suspended from her team after it was discovered that she danced at the Flamingo Theater in Anaheim. The CSUF baseball team visited the club one evening after a game, and reported it immediately to her coach. He claimed that her side job "portrayed CSUF athletics in a bad light" and gave her the choice of choosing one or the other. Rios was forced to pick between money for her education and participation in the sport she adored. The baseball team did not receive any form of penalty for visiting the club, which gave Rios a fair argument. After fighting the case, she was allowed to rejoin the team. However, she refused to return after the tribulation, but at least got the satisfaction of winning.

FC Speech Professor Doug Kresse feels that it was acceptable for Rios be penalized for her actions. "For a team you have to maintain a certain ethic, and exotic dancing doesn't really represent a good image," he stated. "However, it was unfair that the baseball team wasn't penalized, considering they were wearing the CSUF logo, while Rios was wearing, well, nothing," he added.

A majority of dancers who are working on a degree want their employment to be kept secret, fearing disapproval from other students and peers. Rios' case was the perfect example of how exotic dancing can interfere with one's college reputation. If you were to visit a local strip club, you would find that most of the dancers live on the opposite side of the county. Most admit that the reason is because they don't want other students to find out their "double life." Still, some girls take pride in their profession, and aren't the least bit ashamed, like in Simol's situation.

Simol is a photography student who has been dancing for the past three years. "The secret was out a year ago when some old friends came into the club," she said. "At first I was embarrassed, but then I realized there was nothing to hide. This is how I pay for my expensive photography classes, and I've learned to be proud of the money I earn to support my school and lifestyle." She plans on finishing her Bachelors Degree within the next couple years.

With all the late nights and long hours that come with the job, one would think school wouldn't fit into the schedule. Nearly every strip club in southern California closes at 2 a.m., so how do these girls juggle work and classes? Many resort to taking morning classes. "I usually just pull an all nighter before my 7:00 class the next morning," Bella, a dancer in Santa Ana stated. "Its not that bad when it becomes a routine sleeping all afternoon and having work and school during the night and morning."

When it comes to exotic dancing, students' opinions around campus differentiate. Elyse Gonzoles, A Political Science major, feels that exotic dancing is acceptable if its for a positive purpose. "To me, naked dancing isn't obscene. If a girl is doing it for a positive purpose, then more power to her!" Diego Sologuren, a Human Services major, feels that dancing is degrading and unacceptable. "I have the same troubles paying my college fees, but you don't see me stripping off my clothes!" he affirmed.

The FC Faculty also had opinions. "I find it acceptable because I knew a girl who danced because she had financial problems," Photography Professor Lena Kane said. "She completed her education and bettered her life!" she continued. English Professor Phil Mayfield is neutral, but thinks that main question regarding the topic should be "Is the female herself feeling degraded?" opposed to "does society feel its degrading?" "I think that McDonalds' workers can feel just as degraded at times, but it all depends on how the girl herself sees the situation. Other opinions shouldn't matter," he said.

Although a majority of girls in the industry plan on leaving it, there are several who want to work the pole for a career. Nicole Gillen, 21, attended FC as a Psychology major yet found that exotic dancing can be just as rewarding. "I used to be a full time student, but found I will make more money dancing than at any other job, even with an education," she stated. Averaging $1,000 per night, Nicole takes pride in her career and feels that dancing has made her a stronger individual.

"You have to understand that girls are going to be disrespected, but putting up with it makes us stronger, the only thing that matters is if you have respect for yourself," she assured. "In this industry there is no glass ceiling for women, and every time I climb that pole I feel a rush of adrenaline and I'm able to overcome anything."

Next time you see a girl like Misty, know that there may be more to her than just lust and lap dances. Exotic Dancing will continue to be one of the highest paying careers for females in this day and age. Hopefully, those in the industry will deal with Society's negative connotation and find happiness whatever their choice.