Pole Dancing for Empowerment?

They don’t offer classes for men, and classes like this don’t really exist for men – why? Because men’s bodies are typically not used to sell products or for entertainment purposes.

I find this interesting because their focus is “empowerment”. I’m not sure I would agree that this is about empowerment. Women obviously have the right to do what they wish with their bodies. My concern is the pressure that women feel every day to live up to an unrealistic images of how women should look and act.

We already face many expectations: look good, be a good partner, be a good mother, work hard and now we should dance on poles to feel empowered? I’m not sure I agree but maybe it’s because i have never been a good dancer.

Reclaiming? I don’t know. It’s hard to say. When we think of strip teasing and the like we think of the images of rock hard, skinny, perfect women with perky breasts – such as Demi Moore in the movie Striptease. Or we think of a sleazy club in the downtown core that women hopped up on crack work at for money to get by on. No woman chooses that job simply becuase she enjoys taking her clothes off and showing her most intimate parts to strangers for money. It’s a last ditch effort for survival. When is the last time you heard “mommy, when I grow up I want to be a stripper!” “Oh honey, that’s fanstatic. What a strong, empowering career you’ve chosen.” Empowering? Uh, I’d say no. Stripping and sex trade work alike do not portray optimal images of women nor promote empowerment to me. These are very disempowering, oppressiveand marginalized images if you ask me. These are women who need support, and femisist advocacy – although some feminists would argue that it is a women’s right to sell her body for money. That’s another blog topic.

In addition, would women like to sign up to this workout class for themselves? No, probably not. My immediate thought is that the bottom line (although not said) for this type of workout is to sign up and “learn” how to be more sexy for men, please them in the bedroom and rock their partner’s world like a porn star all while getting skinny at the same time. See women we can get thin and learn how to be a sex goddess at the same time! Ah the finest in multitasking!!! Now how can we encorporate vaccuming into this at the same time? Hmm…

I find it interesting that topics involving women can so easily it can become a joke. Ade’s blog is full of intelligent posts and comments yet when he writes a post involving women, suddenly the tone changes.

Why is it okay to make fun of gay women and sexualize them by suggesting that they have “lesbian make-out session aerobics”. Alevo, I know you are probably thinking, have a sense of humour, it was just a joke. I’m not sure that that is true. Sexism, Racism, Ageism, Ableism can all be disguised very well with sarcasm and “humour”.

I believe especially with matters to do with women, we are constantly surrounded by sexism and it has and continues to be an acceptable forum for men to ridicule and put women down. I don’t think that it’s acceptable and quite frankly I am offended by it.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to say. When we think of strip teasing and the like we think of the images of rock hard, skinny, perfect women with perky breasts – such as Demi Moore in the movie Striptease. Or we think of a sleazy club in the downtown core that women hopped up on crack work at for money to get by on. No woman chooses that job simply becuase she enjoys taking her clothes off and showing her most intimate parts to strangers for money.”

What you’re basically doing here is judging a group of people by some exagerated stereotypes you seem to subscribe to. Contrary to what you believe, many women choose to do this of their own, drug free, accord. For some women the notion of taking their clothes of 3 times a week, working 4 or 5 hour shifts that begin and end when they want all the while making more than an average doctor is pretty appealing. It’s saddening that you’ve judged a group of people based on a Demni Moore movie and a few clips from the Supranos.

In my experience, most arguments that are based entirely on stereotypes usually have little to no validity.

As for the topic at hand, are any of you aware of the extremely competitive nature of pole dancing as a sport. I’m guessing you aren’t. The participants are very serious about pole dancing; their passion.

Look at some of the rules for Canada’s main pole dancing competition;

– Contestants may not wear boots of any kind.
– It is forbidden to perform the show nude or partially nude.
– It is forbidden to remove ANY items of clothing even if there is clothing underneath.
-The art of pole dancing is the center point. Focus on fitness and presentation, not on sensuality. Any sexual suggestion will not be tolerated.

Any failure to abide by the above-mentioned rules will result in immediate disqualification.

I think it’s pretty apparent that it’s a serious sport. Suggesting otherwise is insulting to the many people who engage in the sport for no ones enjoyment but their own.

I agree wemi. I certainly did not say that ‘all’ women who chose to work in the sex trade do so as a last resort. Inn my experience working with women as a social worker for many years – they do. I have yet to meet a woman who tells me that she works in the sex trade becasue it’s a great job, or she enjoys it. I also mentioned that there is another side to the story and that many feminists would offer reasons for participation in this work exactally as you describe Elisabeth.

I think if women are to be acknowlwdged in sport that we should be applauded for our interests and success in hockey, baseball or swimming. Is there a pole dancing contest for men? I doubt it. Men are encouraged to participate in sports that I mentioned above.

I also don’t view sex trade workers as exaggerated stereotypes. I’m sorry if it appeared that way in my original blog entry. I see women as body and mind, mothers, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, and intelligent beings who deserve equal rights to men. I see women as deserving more than .75 to a men’s $1.00 in 2007. I wish single parenting women were not the poorest population in Canada. I wish they had equal rights and access to the same privileges men to. We still don’t. Can you believe it?

I suppose that it comes down to an opinion in this case. There are no easy answers to the marginalizatin of any oppressed group. It’s crowded with history from different views and I am open to all those views, but do hold my own from the education and experience I have in my life. Pole dancing is inspired by one of the oldest professions in the world. One that pays women to show their vaginas and breasts to men. Maybe the rules in the “sport” are different, but the bottom line is still there. Women are being encouraged to be oversexualized and sell their body to prove their worth, please men, and survive.

I think if I encourage my children to participate in sports I’ll stick to volleyball, skiiing or track and field.

Yes, I do feel the need to analyze. I am glad you enjoy you classes but i think you are missing my point and the bigger picture.

Wemi, I agree that not all women are exotic dancers because they love the job. I also believe that women (and men) do alot of jobs that have nothing to do with the love of the job – hence why it is called ‘work’ and a ‘job’. In terms of pole dancing, there are men pole dancing . I am very much involved in the arena of pole dance and around the globe there are many men doing pole workouts and dance. It IS an awesome workout, and yes it is sexy (if u want it to be) and yes it is fun… What is it about a woman’s sexuality that is so scary to people? God forbid if you find it fun and exciting to express yourself that way in a private studio surrounded by supportive women. If you have been to a strip club lately, not many of the girls actually ‘dance’. They are there to make money – some of them like to do pole work, but not many. They dont make money on stage. I have had many jobs, and you dont have to work at a strip club to have men degrade you or treat you like an object. As far as the women you counsel, my heart goes out to any woman who has come to a point in her life where she feels she has no options and does what she has to to feed her children. And those experiences are as valid and real as anyones. Did it ever occur to you though, that perhaps the ones who were ‘fine’ with dancing for a living did not seek therapy or counselling and therefore you would not have the other girls views on this? I know many girls who could go and get another job, but they actually enjoy the freedom (flexible work schedule), the money and the independence. You should take a look at http://www.nakedtruth.ca in the forums if you would like to see a supportive group of girls in the industry and see what they talk about.