paul
i dont think its degrading to lap dance.but i think it is degrading to have to go in a airport full body scanner and be seen naked
Cath
The new legislation is correct. There are enough places for people to go if they want to; local residents should get a say as to what goes on in their community. Yes I think, lap dancing is part of the sex industry, the dancers are sex workers. Certainly, there are clubs where everything is legally regulated, but they are venues for sex encounters (as are the adult cinemas - certainly no penetration there either, folks!).In the last decade, the sex industry managed to trickle into the mainstream so that both boys and girls think girls need to act lasciviously to win boys' affections; and boys learn to treat them as if this is expected. The current state of things exploits BOTH genders and degrades ALL of us. The only winners are the club owners who take everyone's money. I believe the only reason this is being made a fuss about is because people are beginning to realise it is a vice, so are being defensive and are trying to justify their own choices. There is no plan to shut clubs or make it illegal, so why else would people be so reactive? Some people will always get drunk and decide they want to go to a lapdancing club - it is already expensive yet I doubt that passing the cost onto the customers will make any difference to demand.
Gareth Newton-Williams
I can't see how entertainment of this sort can continue to be acceptable in a society trying to establish, quite rightly, proper equality for women.Dancing of this nature involves the inherent objectifcation of women, worse, of course, because it is for men's gratification.I don't think pointing and insisting that something is 'wrong' is very helpful. But the inconsistency in supporting women's rights and allowing this sort of thing to continue needs to be pointed out.
Carrie Brennan
Yes it is offensive. It is pure objectification and dehumanizing. To those who take part and think otherwise I say that you are participating in your own oppression. You can tell because if the tables are turned it is laughable. It is all about power in the form of money. Trading your physical intimacy for money equals prostitution.
vikki
I started lapdancing at 30 - its been brilliant!! I feel so much more confident now! I abs love gong to work now- such a change from my previous role as a teacher. I earn a similar wage for far less hours and much less stress. A dance is a dance - the girl earns good money and the man or woman receiving the dance has a good time.......no one's hurt! Before starting work I believed all lap dancers to look like porn queens - but they don't lap dances come in all different shapes and sizes to suit all different tastes... so if u have ever thought ud like to give it a go be brave and give it a whirl ;o)
Lisa
lapdancing is degrading to women, clearly these people have no self respect. I believe there is hardly a diffrence between this and prostitution.
Rosie
what's the big deal? it doesn't offend me, i'd even go to one for a laugh just to see what it's life and laugh at the people there. if you go to a nightclub there are girls there wearing v little more than a lapdancer, at least the dancer gets paid and doesn't have to worry about being groped by random men whilst they dance, which happens a lot in clubs cause men think they can get away with it and they do. most celebrities use the idea of sex to earn money i mean look at glamour models, how about music videos where theres a guy and a flock of girls wearing v little flocked around him, i personally think thats more demeaning. if the dancers don't have a problem with it why should people who've never been to a strip club have any right to say how bad it is. chill out people, guys will always want to look at scantily clad woman i really don't think you'll stop them.
The NVQ Man
Come on!! I know 3 girls who "dance" for a living.They LOVE IT If you've got it flaunt it!! This is a bit of fun and fantasy for the guys and the girls earn good money and do it because they want to ,and fair play to them. Let the do-gooders focus on the people traffickers and such. Leave the rest of us alone.
Mary
If lapdancing wasn't sexual then why do the women have to get semi/naked? If it isn't sexual why aren't there more 'normal' women in these clubs, as in those with larger stomaches and thighs and saggy boobs? If it isn't sexual why do some girls go to the classes and then 'perform' for their partners as part of sex- how many only ever do it fully clothed simply as excercise?The girls are there purely to give men sexual fantasies making it a sexual experience. If men just wanted to watch women dance then they could go to a normal club, but they pay extra for the nudity and feeling of power.It turns all women into nothing more than sexual objects and help create the illusion that the only way for girls to be seen as attractive is to be size 6, with 32DD breasts, which is becoming so prevailent in mainstream society. Yes it makes men look stupid that they are prepared to pay such amounts, but who makes the most out of the clubs-not the dancers- but club owners who are usually men. And men only pay because the women look and behave the way they want them too. That doesn't empower the women and doesn't provide good role models for youngsters. It might not be exploiting all the dancers, but they're certainly not portraying women in a positive light. Yes you might make good money, but club owners make more. Yes you celebrate the female figure, but only the one that men tell us is the 'right' one. Yes you might be beautiful, but the job contributes to the idea that only beauty matters, intellegence means nothing, and that if you are blessed with a decent figure then it should be on display for men to ogle. Yes it degrades men that they pay, but still turns women into nothing but sexual beings. And yes it might give you confidence, but your destroying the confidence of girls who struggle to meet with practically impossible standards of 'beauty' that the industry promotes. Don't kid yourselves that dancing is good for women's equality and is harmless.
its only me
if ladies want to dance half naked in front of men, young old fat thin fit ugly then that should be up to them, but dont complain about having to dance nobody makes them do it, it s called making a choice
Sophie
I have been pole dancing for almost a year now and hope to teach it in the future. Its not sleazy by any means and some of it is downright difficult. Why in the day and age some small minded people can push their views onto others i dont know. Surely if people are willing to go to clubs to watch these women dance means its popular and people enjoy it. No one advertises them like pubs and most of them dont open until late so its not like a family will go in by mistake. If people want to dance male or female, why is it that a small group of people feel the need to exaggerate it into prostitution? Theres no touching and no sex so how is that prostitution?
mo
so am i one of those women who have to join the queue of other "mardy cantankerous humourless sour pusses" then just because i dont think that lap dancing is a positive thing for women. Note i say "women" and do not focus in the individuals involved. There is no denying that is it hard work - certainly the pole dancing part of a women's shift is hard work and requires skill. lap dancers can proclaim it is their choice but can someone explain to me how it benefits women in general. getting your clothes off does not equal empowerment.
pat
I dont think its offensive to women but i do think it is part of the sex industry & should therefore be treated as such & taxed in the correct way, as other businesses in the sex industry
Debbie
I think its shocking, i would hate for my fiance to go to a show although i know he probably has and hasn't told me!!! Why should he go pay for it when he's got me at home to please him?? Plus if you watch other documentaries made about this subject - the no touching rule seems to go out the window for a bit of extra cash!! I say the ruling would be a good thing - I dont approve of male strippers either so im not being one-sided!
Holly
I can't honestly believe that only ONE person on this forum believed that lap dancing is offencive to women. Lap dancing reinforces our attitudes in this society that its erotic when women are humiliated and coerced into doing things. I feel that rape and sexual assault cases are considerably higher in areas with a high number of strip clubs, as the one other sane person here already pointed out. I'm so shocked that the BBC would run a story in this way. "Theres a video of one of the dancers on our webpages if you want to check it out." UGH!People really need to get their heads sorted out and realise that this is not 'Just a bit of fun'. I feel so much despair for this country. I really do feel like I'm living in some sort of 1984; everyones just so blind.
Anonymus
I think people are treading a fine line when it comes to labelling any sexual arousal by another person as 'prostitution'. These women and men are being paid to dance, being sexually aroused is a by-product of the performance. If you start down this road, then surely music artist in music videos who dress 'provocitavely' in scantily clad outfits must be classified as prostitutes. I refer to britney spears video of gimme gimme where she dresses as a lap dancer as an example. She is using her body to sell her video by arousing male an female viewers. To deem this prostitution is quite frankly moronic and ridiculous. You're moving into dangerous teritorry when you start defining what it is okay to be aroused at and what is not. People need to take a sensible and logical view to this issue rather than their own personal opinion. Once they do this the right answer is rather simple and straight forward. Also, to use strip clubs as a cause for sexual attacks on women is a poor excuse. Sexual violence and aggression is an issue that has started and should be addressed in the home, not the lapdancing club.
Carlie
My friend has been a lapdancer for 3 years, and she loves it. She's in great shape and makes fantastic money. She has been with her husband for 5 years and if he has no problem with his wifes change of career (she used to work in a bank) then why should anyone else. If people are worried about exposing children to sex, because a lap-dancing club has open in thier town, then they should be more worried about sex education lessons being taught from the age of 6-not beautiful, talented women earning a good wage.
Anna
I have very mixed feelings about this. Both the lap dancers and the customers have different motivations for working in or visting these clubs. However for some customers it is definately for a sexually arosing experience, and I know for certain that in my local area 'extra services' are available.
Nic
I guess those women who think it is offensive to all women must think that being a mardy cantankerous humourless sour puss is considered a highly positive and attractive set of qualities in a woman.No. Mardy boots, queue over there please. I'm sure there are plenty of doormat men just looking for your judgemental attitude.Everybody else, keep smiling.
Fiona
It may be contraversial to say but women enjoy that sort of thing. They like men drooling over them and they like feeling appricated by men and by lap dancing that is exactly what they get. Getting paid for it is just a bonus. If a girl wants to do it they will. More regulations probably wouldn't hurt but i think it needs to be put into perspective and not get so hyped up
Aneka
The girls who do this do it of their own free will and they enjoy it, it's their profession so i don't think it's fair that they get demonised for making that choice. Proper lap dancers just dance for the client and don't offer anything else so why put them in the same category as sex workers?
Kate
It's no more offensive to women than the Chippendales are offensive to Men. So long as the person in question is choosing to do it rather than being forced into doing it by someone else, where's the harm? The whole point of empowerment is having a free choice in the matter of what you do with your body.
kasi
at the end of the day why would u do it if it was offensive its great exercise n if you got the body to do it and earn that well deserved cash for doing it then go ahead and flaunt it
Clint Matthews
Why is it that if a man pays for a woman to lapdance in a fully licensed venue with legislation and security staff to protect the girls, he is classed as a pervert but if a bunch of middle aged drunken women go pawing and screaming all over a male stripper it's classed as a good night out and "girls being girls". There is no difference to either situation except that the women are not publically villified for getting their sexual "kicks". If the authorities class lapdancers in the same league as sex shops and adult cinemas then they need to classify every single stripper, male and female, in the same league as well. Equality works both ways and should not be just about protecting women!
Mel
My partner used to go to a lap dancing club with his mates and it never bothered me... because I knew he would be coming home to me and I knew he was not allowed to touch the girls... I also have many friends that do Pole Dancing as a form of exercise and I think it looks amazing not dirty or sleazy... You girls have an AMAZING talent!!
Annie
I am a dancer and I really hope this law dosn't effect me. If they make clubs a sex experiance does this mean dancing laws will change and allow customers to touch. Or even worse become a real sex experiance! Is this a load of pervy polititions trying to change the laws so they can get more from there dance! I really cant see what there expecting to get out of this. Lapdancing already has a bad name because of small minded people who listen to what bias people tell them. Lapdancing is good fun and good money for a young, confident and educated women like myself!
Matt
Women do not often go to lapdancing clubs, and do not often buy lapdances. So I don't see how it could be offensive to them; if they do in fact go to such places and do not enjoy it there is a very simple solution:Do not go any more.
Jase
I'm not really concerned either way, however i would be interested in how the law would classify Burlesque dancing which from my experience is enjoyed more so by a female audience as it celebrates the female form, whatever shape and size. It is one thing rightly or wrongly to label lapdancing as a sexual encounter but Burlesque dancing certainly shouldn't be, unless explicitly excluded, the councils of the land will i'm sure inflict these licenses on quite different establishments than the law is aimed to target!
Chris
I think the BBC are wrong to put the warning on the video at the top, it's not sexual, if she was touching herself sexually or using sex toys then it would be, it is just dancing, some in come dancing wear less. The fact she has a stunning body is the difference.
Paul
I cannot see the problem with people enjoying themselves, be it dancing or watching. I am a red blooded, hetro, male and have turned down visits to lap dancing clubs, mainly because it would be too much not to touch and that, I appreciate, is not allowed. I think that is the difference to premises which are in the sex trade, there "dancers" are available for sexual encounters. Leave lapdancers alone.
Sarah
Pole dancing is extremely hard work and a skill all of it's own, I know, I've tried it! It's a form of dance and should be treated as such, and is admired by women as well as men. Object claim to be a human rights movement, but what about the rights of the girls to perform their dancing? Basically it's kept in clubs, not out on the street, if you don't like it or want to see it DON'T GO IN ONE! Keep you noses out of everyone else's business and stop enforcing YOUR views on other people - we have rights to and one of those is the right to choose. Perhaps some of these objectors should go to a class and try it for themselves, it might actually give them an insight into a subject they seem content to slag off, but I doubt any of them have actually tried it.
Frederick Bowen
Once again another unthought out law, men can undress, no problem. I use a lap dancing club, the most famous one and i use it as normal pub, you dont have to have a dance if you dont one one. I like to look at beautiful women. It speaks volumes that its the usual suspects, who want to spoil other peoples enjoyment, a cynic would say these people have a problem with their own insecurities.
Sammi
It may be fun , good exercise , a laugh whatever BUT the fact that the girl is paid to sexually arouse male/female customers makes it prostitution..selling ones self for money....no getting away from that. I think lapdancers saying they are not sex workers is too simplistic!
Nick Fields UK
In Camden, there was apparently, a 50% increase in sexual attacks and assaults against women and girls living in the area, with the increase of lapdancing venues. This was actually linked in an increase in violence towards women who were subsequently seen as sexual objects even though they only lived in the area. It has got to stop.
Gemma
If lapdancing is degrading to women then the Chippendales are degrading to men. Nobody ever mentions that.A consenting adult should be able to do what they want with their body within reason.
Gareth Davies
It doesn't exploit women, the dancers are in full control and make sure the man has his hands on his knees and doesn't move them. I also don't find it sexually stimulating - I enjoy going to them and I like seeing beautiful women, but it's not sexual.
Stephen
I've never been to one, nor have I ever seen a striptease. I can't say that I find the notion of either that appealing. However my girlfriend wants to see a lapdance. She says they've been featured on a day time programme for women, and sound fun!
Doug Holland
NO. It may put ,some 'men,' in a silly spot, but if the women enjoy it and good honest sex at the same time are keeping fit; go go go.
Duncan Paine
I fail to see how lap dancing can be labelled as derogatory to women! If anything, it highlights the simple minded stupidity of men - paying anything from £5-100 for a woman to dance in front of you for about 5 minutes is a bit daft, and I reckon it's the dancers that are having the last laugh. They certainly aren't 'sex workers' - surely you have to have sex to be that.I think the only women who are offended by lap dancing are those who feel threatened by it. I've been to lap dancing clubs a couple of times and my wife has no problem with it. I've only ever had one dance, and it was certainly not a sexual experience. It was a bit of a boyish giggle and nothing more. Lap dancing is not really any different to belly dancing or other similar forms of exotic dance, where it's more about the thought of what you can't see than what you actually can.
Tony
Yet again the prudish group of puritans in the UK have decided that sex is evil, that women showing their bodies is wrong and that women dancing for entertainment must be exploitation. What nonsense.What is so wrong with a woman using her own body to make money? Look at any pop video, movie, tv show, magazine or book - you'll find references to women's sexuality in them (yes, even in old victorian era books). Why do we feel that we still have to stomp on these things?When Britain moves past this obsessive view of sexuality being bad, the country will be better for it.
Chris
There's a big difference between lapdancers and sex workers, the major one being that no contact is allowed in British lapdancing clubs. All dancing has it's roots in eroticism and courtship, lapdancing is just more upfront. As long as the dancers or viewers are not exploited, or forced into doing something they're unhappy with where's the harm?
Emma Brown
I don't think this is an issue of whether or not it is offensive to women. It's a case of what is suitable to have near young children/families. I am all for adult entertainment but it has it's place and I don't think it being as easy for a lapdancing club to appear as a pub is the right approach.
JOHNNEY
Its dis respectful and in ways wrong but its thier choice is it more femnist to allow women to strip or to not alllow them? Personally it should be a personal choice if they want to do it let them if they don't then just let it ride.
Jess
Me and my mates had a private lesson at a lapdancing club for one of our mates 21st birthday's. The experinece was great and it made us all change our views on lapdancing. its a great form of exercise and a great way to boost your confidence and self-esteem. through disscussion with the dance teachers it was clear that girls only do what they feel comfortable with and are never pushed into anything they felt was uncomfortable. its something me and my mates would consider.
Smart man
im 18 and a christian surrounded by christian people (god help me :s) so i know all the unfair things that people say about lapdancers. but in my oppinion sex is something everyone has the right to enjoy to whatever limits they set and express in whatever way they feel. lapdancin is very sexual very provocative everyone knows that but thats the joy of it its something sexual for people to enjoy without having sex another form of explorin the beauty and perfection of humans.
Emma
My view is it's not what you do, it's how you do it. Pole dancing can be extremely hard work, highly artistic and makes you feel sexy. And sex is a healthy part of life. Unfortunately there are elements of abuse in the industry which give it a bad name. It all comes down to respect -for yourself and for others.
Monica ICE
I've always wanted to dance. I don't think it's derogatory to women because dancers choose to do it. I think adults have every right to have adult fun, and body/anatomy doesn't have to be sexual OR it doesn't have to be a problem. Sex is too dereided as "dirty" and "filthy", yet if it was, nobody would do it or make babies. Bodies can be enjoyed from any side, and dancing is a freedom of expression, too.
MrVegasPart2
Its making women seem like flirtatous prostitutes!
lindsay
why is it when women dance and strip its degrading but when men do it, its just a job?
Abi
Nothing wrong with lapdancing. If u enjoy it, do it.. I would
