To think burlesque IS empowering?

[Neverknowing]

Following on from the 'burlesque' thread, I want to ask peoples opinion on burlesque I think if a woman is getting paid to do something they enjoy and they feel empowered by it then there's nothing wrong? I have a friend who did burlesque for years and said men and women who went to the shows were always respectful and she loved doing it!
Does anyone have any reasons they think burlesque isn't empowering?

[Backingvocals]

wonder why men don't find it empowering enough to give it a go...or lap dancing.

[CaraAspen]

Indeed.

[CaraAspen]

Maybe the men find watching "empowering", though?

[MorrisZapp]

Yes I've often wondered that. Why isn't there an entire industry, tv shows etc trying to convince men they're beautiful enough to go naked/ burlesque etc and their families cheering them on.

Maybe because waltzing around half naked is actually a bit weird and embarrassing and anything but empowering for normal people i.e. men.

[Badcat666]

Back - Some men do! In the other thread I stated I went to a dinner and show and they had both women and men burlesque dancers. Was bloody amazing!

It's an art form which to me celebrates the body. I found it nothing to do with sex and neither did my friends (we were a mix of straight males and females and gay men),

None of us found it sexist at all, just very clever and beautiful. I think some ppl clump just like to clump anything to do with the female form as "sexist/ an exploitation" if a bit of flesh is shown.

As the quote goes "Their body, their choice".

[intheknickersoftime]

I watched a programme years ago about it. I think it was called Faking it. A lady from rural Wales trained as a burlesque dancer and she managed to fake it, people thought she really was one of the professionals. It was a fascinating programme and I learnt a lot from it. So yes, I can see it would be empowering and I would watch a burlesque show, I wouldn't go to a strip club. I'm as straight laced as they come.

[MorrisZapp]

Oh ffs, thread about another new, short thread. Could you not just have stuck to the original one?

[Backingvocals]

It's why I quite like those Money Supermarket ads with men twerking and pole dancing - I'm sure they weren't intending to make this point but it underlines how absolutely ludicrous it is.

[surferjet]

Dancing around half naked ( like an idiot ) for the pleasure of strangers is not empowering.
And if it was all about 'empowering' women, these seedy clubs would employ anyone, not just attractive young women.

[intheknickersoftime]

Where is the original thread?

[formerbabe]

Burlesque always strikes me as the sort of thing women think is sexy but men don't find sexy iyswim.

[Isitadoubleentendre]

Yes, there really is only one question to ask regarding burlesque, stripping, boudoir shoots, writhing round naked in a music video, going on naked Gok Wan shows etc all in the name of 'empowerment':

How come blokes don't need to do these things to feel empowered?

[PacificDogwod]

YABU, OP.

[intheknickersoftime]

Former babe, I think that's very true. I like the retro look of it.

[Isitadoubleentendre]

And if it was all about 'empowering' women, these seedy clubs would employ anyone, not just attractive young women.

Yes, how come you don't find any any slightly overweight fifty something women dancing in these clubs?

Empowerment my arse.

[Marmalade85]

The difference between a burlesque dancer and a lap dancer is about three stone.

Also a lot of these 'burlesque dancers' do it for free. Misguided empowerment IMO.

[NotDavidTennant]

Women who take up professional dancing are rarely called 'empowered' unless the form of dancing requires them to wear (or strip to) very little i the way of clothes. I can't help feeling that women in these circumstances are being told they are 'empowered' in order to soften the blow, rather than because they are gaining any actual power.

[pieceofpurplesky]

Are the dreamboys and the like not the male equivalent to female strippers and the like?
I have been to a make/female burlesque show.

[formerbabe]

The difference between a burlesque dancer and a lap dancer is about three stone

Hilarious! I've often thought of it as stripping for fat women!

Disclaimer...I'm a bit fat (though not a burlesque performer)!

[pieceofpurplesky]

Strippers was not the word I wanted to use. Raging tonsillitis clouding my brain

[Isitadoubleentendre]

Are the dreamboys and the like not the male equivalent to female strippers and the like?

No.

[QueenMortificado]

I don't think burlesque is sexy at all

It always seems to involve quite overweight, pasty, cellulite-ridden women of a certain age with this SEXY, WHO ME???? BUT IM SO COQUETISH AND INNOCENT BUT PLEASE FANCY ME vibe

This is always why I hate the advice on S&B that women over a size 12-14 should automatically embrace the 50s look with those awful retro dresses and skirts. It screams look at me but don't look at me aren't I soooo sexy. Errrr, no you're not.

[intheknickersoftime]

[WorraLiberty]

The difference between a burlesque dancer and a lap dancer is about three stone.

That did make me snort

I think there's certainly an art to burlesque and it can be quite entertaining but no, it's not empowering at all.

[treaclesoda]

I don't see anything empowering at all about women dancing about half naked, no matter how 'tasteful'.