I refuse to be in porn, a prostitute, or an exotic dancer

[Nikia]

Even though these are in some ways attractive options. Why does it turn out that my mind and my hard work are worth nothing in this society? It turns out that my biggest assett is my body.
I never thought of myself as a sex object. But why is that I understand why some women do it even if they hate it?

[Truman01]

1. You mind and your hard work are worth money in society

sex is worth more. It's that simple.

TC

[tjdee]

2. Money is necessary in this society.

I have too many stretchmarks, and weigh too little or too much, depending on who you ask....

But if I could I wouldn't. Wouldn't want people leering (and other things). And that sucks, because I could sure use the money. I mean... 1000 in TIPS a night? For shaking your ass?

That's what many men value in women--their body (and oh, that other stuff eventually). They'd have sex with a plastic doll if it satisfies them (and some do!).

on edit: I don't include lesbians in that, because I'm fairly certain that strip clubs/porno/etc. didn't start out to please gay people. As usual, it's about straight men and what they want.

[amazona]

18. $1000 in tips...those days are long over

Most strippers haven't made that kind of money since the late 1980s unless they were locked into champagne rooms with Enron execs, and the Enron days are also over.

The majority of strippers are not earning anything close to the kind of money they could earn before the internet exploded and every other college girl put up a webcam for some extra money. I've recently heard of more than one stripper quietly going back to her old office job because dancing just doesn't pay any more unless you are willing to do private parties (which means prostitution really) or if you're a "feature" which often involves being in porno movies as well as being a dancer.

It seems ironic but in the old days of "look but don't touch" the average stripper was bringing home a LOT more tips...Now the tips are down and everybody else in the place wants to be "tipped out" on top of it.

A lot of women who assume, well, I can always strip if I'm really desperate for money have a hard awakening ahead of them. Sex just doesn't sell like it once did unless you are at the very top.

[underpants]

3. So there WON'T be a video?

:bounce:

[smiley_glad_hands]

5. Dammit. eom

[Droopy]

4. Maybe it's the only way some women know how to make

a good living.

I drive a truck for a living. And I'm good at it. Eight years in the business without a moving violation. But you can bet if I had the smarts to be an engineer, or a lawyer, or a doctor then I would be.

[Nikia]

8. At this point, I can't think of how else I'll make over $30,000 year

Sadly, I do make more than median wage for women. I am still young. I shouldn't complain. It's just that when I graduated from college four years ago that I didn't think that it would be so difficult. Yes, perhaps I should have graduated with something more career oriented, like engineering, unlike biology, a field where a lot of people get graduate degrees. I thought that I'd be alright though, getting a job with a food company. Food professionals can make middle class and upper middle class income. The fact though is that they are never going to promote me despite my hard work and intelligence, since it is small and I am not part of their good old boys club. I haven't been able to get a better job after two years of trying and haven't had an interview for a good job since spring.
I have thought of going to graduate school, but my husband is out of work and we are having trouble even paying the bills.
Sorry for the rant.

[prof_science]

6. I think...

More people have minds than have bodies fit for showing off. That's the supply end of it.

And demand-- people want to get off, and they're willing to pay nicely for it.


So, why do you let profitibility determine what you value about yourself? (I'm taking that from when you say "my biggest asset is my body.") Fuck the economics of it, and don't let others marginalize your perception of your brain.

Not that I'm trying to tell you what to do :)

[Nikia]

9. It's just depressing

In high school and college, it was easy to value my brain. I was doing well academically. My college was the type that really valued learning.
At my current job, things are much different.
Socially, we have a couple of smart friends, but most people who I know around here don't like smart people.

[prof_science]

10. around here?

You must not live in Madison... lots of smarty pants types around here :)

[Nikia]

14. No, rural Wisconsin

Entirely different place. We've been to Madison a couple times. Nice place.

[jaysunb]

7. If you'll send me a picture

of your body, I'll help evaluate it's marketability. :evilgrin:

[Truman01]

11. Nikkia now that you have us wondering you really must post a

picture. Nothing too racey now mind you.

TC

[prof_science]

12. Wow.

Way to drive home her point, stud.

[sam sarrha]

21. how many guys out there wouldnt take a job where women put money in their

underwear, ..?????

[prof_science]

23. Yeah.

A man would not even consider that a "job." Hell, if there were women willing to shove *rocks* in underwear, men would still line up to volunteer...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

24. ROTFLMAO!!!!

Too true.

[rene moon]

13. I understand

I've worked hard all my life and it seems that as a woman, I am valued more for my body than anything else. It doesn't matter if I've graduated from college, worked my way up and have a really good job. It really pisses me off.

I've been been told that I'm lucky that I am "extremely attractive", because it means I'll always have a job! Bullshit.

I've commented that I might as well become one of these professions, since it seems that's all what men seem to like/care about anyway.

[leftofthedial]

15. everything about you has value

everything

[warrens]

16. Picky, picky, picky

[kodi]

17. rule number one in life: go with what works

i don't mean to be rude, but if you state that your best asset is your body, what the hell does that imply about your brain and personality?

[Nikia]

19. I never thought that at all until recently

In fact, I didn't think that I was attractive at all in high school. I was a runner so that's how I primariliy saw my body. As for me, I was me a smart, driven, ambitious, kind person. Maybe, I am still that person, but in my immediate world, I am not valued as that person. I cannot get a high paying job unless I become a stripper.
My company wouldn't care if my IQ dropped 30 points. They wouldn't care if my IQ increased by 30 points either. It seems that it is the same way as far as trying to get another job too around here.

[prof_science]

20. So...

if you hate your job, can't get a better one, your husband is out of work, and you don't like where you live, what is keeping you there? I KNOW that rural WI is not a fun place for young liberals. Get thee to civilization!

[Radical Activist]

22. Everyone wants easy money, to get rich quick

Some people just want it more than others. Some women have those options that most men and many women don't have.