Title

"Where am i going to stop?": exotic dancing, fluid body boundaries, and effects on identity

Authors

Authors

J. K. Wesely

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Deviant Behav.

Keywords

DEVIANT OCCUPATION; STRIP CLUB; STRIPTEASERS; STRATEGIES; CAREER; DANCER; Criminology & Penology; Psychology, Social; Sociology

Abstract

Female exotic dancers earn a living through particularly objectified and sexualized constructions of their bodies. In order to increase cash reward, dancers may allow their body boundaries to be "fluid," deciding on a customer-by-customer basis how they will interact physically. These body compromises can lead to a variety of identity problems for the women. This article thus builds on exotic dancing literature about stigma and deviance by incorporating a deeper look at these body and identity conflicts. Using in-depth interviews with female exotic dancers, this article explores the ongoing negotiation of fluid body boundaries experienced by the women who strip for a living, and the identity meanings and effects of related body compromises.

Journal Title

Deviant Behavior

Volume

24

Issue/Number

5

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

483

Last Page

503

WOS Identifier

WOS:000184456600004

ISSN

0163-9625

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