strippers

i've generally had a positive view regarding strip clubs. hell, i was a Marine - it's basically a right of passage. yet, in the past few years, i've personally witnessed the side-effects this profession has on it's employees. 

the women. 

the girls. 

and it's not nice. not at all. i couldn't believe how dead-on this website was: 

http://www.savedfromstripclubs.org/factsaboutexoticdancing.htm

just made me think...

here's a portion:

The Truth About Strip Clubs

What Strip Club Owners Don't Want You to Know There are so many misconceptions held by people about strippers.   Below are some demystifying facts about the reality of this profession. Working as a Stripper Is Not: Safe - Murder and violence happen on a regular basis in and around strip clubs, and seemingly at an increasing rate of frequency.  Patrons are often sexual predators who build obsessions on the dancers.  Gang members, drug dealers, pimps, and other criminals also frequent strip clubs.  Some of these criminals are the employees themselves, and all strip club owners are involved in some kind of criminal activity.  The safety of the dancers is not a high priority. Healthy - Many strippers suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism, abusive relationships, and dangerous lifestyles.  The stresses of the job bring on many physical and emotional problems.  Depression and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder are common among dancers.  Years of dancing cause back, feet, and leg injuries, some totally disabling.  And there is no retirement plan for dancers. Glamorous - The day-to-day reality of acting friendly to perverts and degenerates is disgusting.  Being assaulted in the lap dance booth is traumatic and utterly humiliating.  Being regularly hit on by creepy guys making filthy comments at you  is not at all glamorous.  Being physically attacked by mentally unbalanced dancers is also unglamorous.  Good for your self-esteem - Being treated like an object day after day by your boss and clients has a deleterious effect on your self-esteem.  This effect snowballs as the years go on.  Many dancers suffer from feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness.  Worth the money - I have known strippers who have made obscene amounts of money and they are no happier for it.  There is also a tendency among dancers to squander the money on drugs, excessive shopping, gambling, etc. Empowering for women - On the contrary, the job is degrading to women.  To be admired in this way is not true esteem and dignity, it's exploitation.  Its a conterfeit form of love and attention that weakens your sense of self. Without a price - Being constantly ogled, groped, lusted after, catcalled, insulted, pinched, and used for sex comes at a very steep price.  I witnessed many dancers (including myself) leave the bar in tears due to an abusive patron or employer.  A Victimless Crime - Even if you don't feel harmed by it, think of the harm you are causing to the wives and children of the men who come to see you, or even to the men themselves.  Think of the dancers who do end up dead or emotionally scarred as a result of the job.  Think of the damage being done to the community surrounding your workplace. Authentic Feminism - Feminism was never about the legalized pimping that is the porn and strip club industry.  Feminism was never about making mafiosi rich by exploiting women's sexuality.  Don't forget who takes home the most money in this business. Go to http://www.ccv.org/downloads/pdf/David_Sherman_testimony.pdf for a former strip club manager's testimony of his experience in the industry. Who Are Strippers? So many factors bring a woman to the decision to become a stripper.  The most overriding factor seems to be early childhood abuse.  The media portrayals of strippers are far from accurate.  They are not all airheaded Barbie Dolls who smile constantly.  They are college students, struggling artists, struggling actresses, professionally trained dancers, single mothers, abuse survivors, writers, wives, musicians, teachers, teenage runaways, performance artists, singers, nurses, athletes, film makers, students.  They come from all walks of life.  Some, believe it or not, are Christian.  Please don't judge or stereotype these women.  Instead, pray for them and support one of the many ministries in the links section active in helping sex workers find a new life in Christ.