Graduation Date
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Jennifer L. Eichsteddt
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Ronald A. Fritzsche
Keywords
Sociology
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to examine female sex workers and issues of power. My investigation focuses specifically on female exotic dancers and whether they perceive power in their work. The question I intend to answer is do exotic dancers see themselves as having power in relation to the men they dance for? Drawing on both feminist theory and women’s experience in the sex industry, I expect to discover whether or not strippers gain a sense of power from their work, whether they feel they have control over the conditions of their work, and how power and control can be demonstrated. The method of data collection employed was interviewing. The subjects for this study included women actively involved as exotic dancers in rural Northern California. Overall, the voices of the dancers interviewed for this study reflect more the Sex Radical views of choice, autonomy and power. The findings of this study suggest that strippers do perceive power and control in their work, and in two ways. First, they perceive power and control over the conditions of their work and second, they derive a sense of power from the work itself.
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Patricia A., "Empowerment Through Dancing?: Perceptions of Occupational Power and Control Among Female Exotic Dancers" (2000). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2427.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2427