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Cheerleaders
for Reproduction

by Amelia Dallis

(Page 2)

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Beyond the politics of wage earning, I wondered how the dancers see themselves within the larger context of feminism. "Feminism has slammed the lid on female sexuality," argued Rita, a dancer. "It has created two kinds of women: homemakers, whom everyone looks down on, and business women, whose identity is styled in masculinity." In stripping, Val says she found a positive "vent for her sexual energy" she had not known before. And yet, she feels stripping promotes a more demure, catch-me-if-you-can sexuality that does not allow a woman to be directly assertive.

T.J., who started dancing at Silverado four months ago came to the occupation from a waitressing job when her boss's sexual advances became too much to bear. Her view on sexual harassment may be more capitalist than feminist. "It happens everywhere," she says, "so why not get paid for it?" But in the club environment, T.J. feels she has more control. If a customer crosses the line, she walks away. She has that option.

Though money is the prime motivation for choosing to work in the industry, it is not the only lure. Rita began dancing because she was tired of being neurotic about her body. Eleven of the women I spoke with had the same flaming insecurity about their bodies so achingly prevalent in women throughout society. But the image of perfection by which most women measure themselves is not what is important on the floor. It is about the desire men feel for women and the power that many woman can find in that.

Nevertheless, a disturbingly high percentage of erotic dancers have had cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation is the most popular procedure and, as we are now learning, the most dangerous. Dancers are young women, so most opt only for this surgery but many have run the gamut of liposuction, tummy tucks and fanny lifts. I saw a few women with visible nipple scars from the surgery and many with their breast skin pulled so tight it shone.

After the hour of table dancing, the women dance on-stage for three songs. Compared to the floor, the amount of money to be made here is negligible, but it affords the opportunity to make contact with the men to whom they can later sell table dances. In runway clubs, which differ from stage clubs in that they do not offer table dancing, this is the primary way of earning money. While on stage, a woman makes $1 for about 10 seconds of dancing.