This is a really interesting inside look at the business of stripping, in clubs, bars, the upscale strip clubs to those that you find in the strip mall.
Apparently this book was written in 2006 by Dr. Bernadette Barton who spent many years researching and being immersed in the exotic dance industries.
As a male, it's eye opening to read about why women go into this industry, how some really find happiness while some struggle to leave the industry due to many reasons.
At times this drags, it's based on research but when it delves into the lives of women, that's when it gets interesting.

​Day 23, Book 23: "Stripped" by Bernadette Barton. 252 pages. Reading time: 6.5 hours.

This book tugged at all corners of my heart without intending to. I don't think that was the author's aim.

Bernadette writes stories about exotic dancers/ strippers and the various reasons they tow this path.

She teaches a class on Sex Industry Perspectives and this book is a research on the allure of stripping amongst other things.

In these stories, women make decisions based on social economic situations to dance. There are tales of exhausting conditions they have to work in. There are also tales of competition and abuse.

I learned a lot from this book. There's a world out there for women that's different to the traditional route that I've known and lived (e.g. Go to uni, get a well paying job etc).

For some women, that's not even an option, talk less of a possibility. They dance to take care of deadbeat husbands/ boyfriends/ men.

They dance to put food on the table for their families. They dance because they know no other option. They are vilified for this. Called unprintable names and treated like chattel.

For some women, they make a feminist decision to dance. They feel their sexuality is empowering and they choose to make a living off it.

For some, it provides healing from self esteem issues. Dancing gives them a confidence boost.

There are stories in the book that make me smile: those of generous customers who don't expect sex as payment.

There are stories that made me wince and grit my teeth: the ones who had abusive pimps or men who brutally abused them physically, sexually and emotionally.

Above all, dancers have the longings and yearning we all have: to be recognised as a person.

Rating: 4/5

Favourite Quote: "Proudly displaying one's naked body can be a potent act in a culture that repeatedly constrains and degrades women's sexual selves."

Stripped is a balanced read on exotic dancers, careful not to over-emphasize on the stigmas that being a dancer already has- although, as the the book goes on, we will see that the negative parts will overpower the positive aspects. Stripped is both sympathetic and analytical. We will see sad stories on how the dancers are unable to escape the seen and unseen "rules" of their trade and how popular media has also endanger their livelihood. What is most memorable for me from the book is the highly bipolar nature of the trade.
I was engrossed from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.

Fascinating insight into the lives and motivations of strip club workers.