Re: Strippers (long)

In a message dated 98-08-26, Lorie McGraw writes:

<< And as far as a stripper
being a positive role model? For what? Making money at the expense of her
self-respect? Taking pay for exposing her body (which is a temple) to
leering, drunken males? Sacrificing time with her children (does she dance
only between 8am to 3 pm while the kids are in school?) to pander to the
lascivious stares of other men? Sacrificing her health in smoke-filled
bars, with her safety in question from patrons that may want to get a little
too close? >>

In all the time I've been participating in Scouts-L, this is the first time
I've taken issue with anything Lorrie has written. I'm kind of surprised to
find myself doing so now. That has no relevance to the thread, just thought
I'd share that with y'all, especially Lorrie.

Interestingly, these negatives apply to many professions I'm sure we'd all
find admirable. First, who works only from 8am to 3pm? Are we all "bad"
because of our work hours? I'm seldom home before eight or nine (or ten for
that matter) lately, so I make the most of my time with my kids in the
morning. Sacrificing her health in a smoke filled bar with safety in
question... So she'd be okay if she were behind the bar? Or the doorman? Or
maybe an off-duty cop providing security? What about the hours and safety of
our men and women in blue? My firefighting friend who's at work 24/7 for
three days at a time while wife and family are at home? How about the
astronaut who doesn't see his kids for weeks at a time? Are they all bad
because of their hours or the fact that they put themselves at risk? No. The
negatives that you point out are simply hazards of the job, and every job has
its own. They are not an issue in this arguement.

As for sacrificing self respect, who do we pity, the man willing to pay to see
the stripper, or the stripper who takes his money and smiles? I worked for a
while in a leather store. Strippers came in all the time, and it was
interesting to be able to talk with them. You'd never guess they were
strippers until they mentioned it. In fact, usually they were the nicer
customers; understanding, patient and compassionate. And not one of them
showed a lack of self respect - in fact, quite the opposite. Their opinion
was that their bodies were temples, and temples were made to be worshipped!
And if the worshippers left money, all the better!

Since I keep jumping into this thread, I figure there must be part of me
trying to make a point. The only one I can keep coming back to is that it is
not in our power or job description to criticize this woman, condemn her or
try to save her. Lorrie alluded to the only answer we can give: Exercise
your right to join a different pack. People are people. Associate with those
you like, but don't waste everyone's time criticizing and condemning those you
don't. I don't mean to aim that at anyone...it's just a thought I had. Look
how much time and effort we've put into this thread. And what's the
productive output? Zilch.

Over and out!

Robert Gerhard

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