Strategic Flirting and the Emotional Tab of Exotic Dancing

Bibliographic Data

ID2151810
AuthorsTina H Deshotels (0000-0001-9137-5147, Jacksonville State University), Tina Deshotels, Craig J Forsyth (0000-0002-7636-8106, University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
Year2006
Volume27
Issue2
Pages223-241
Publication date2006-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639620500468600
OpenAlexW2023907681
LanguageEN
Citations received53
References cited35

The paper uses the concept strategic flirting, an aspect of emotional labor, to challenge the dichotomous view that sex work is either exploitative or empowering for exotic dancers. The findings suggest a more nuanced understanding of the advantages of sexual power and expenditures of emotional labor. Data were gleaned from interviews with 112 female dancers in several cities. Data from dancers indicate significant support for both the sexual radical/libertarian view—that she is the dominant party in the sexual transaction—and the radical feminist view that exotic dancing has detrimental consequences. Both the feminist and sociology of emotions literatures are explored for applications to the dancers' work

Emotional labor · Flirting · Power (physics · Sociology · Work (physics · Emotional Labor in Professions · Engineering · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Psychology · Social Psychology