Underage Strippers in RI

[The Drunk Girl]

Evidently there is a loophole in Rhode Island's state minor laws that allows 16 year old girls to work as strippers in strip clubs as long as they are home by 11:30.

Personally, I find this outrageous, especially when you have to be 18 to even get into these bars. It makes absolutely no sense to me for many reasons:

A: What kind of parent would allow their daughter(s) to partake in such a job at such a young age
B: What kind of child would want to (or even think) that this is an "alright" job to have at that age
C: Would you not consider this in the same category as child pornography looking at what happens with the internet and cell phones?

http://www.projo.com/news/content/teen_dancers_07-21-09_Q6F39ID_v80.3985e27.html

[dilettante]

Evidently there is a loophole in Rhode Island's state minor laws that allows 16 year old girls to work as strippers in strip clubs as long as they are home by 11:30.

Personally, I find this outrageous, especially when you have to be 18 to even get into these bars. It makes absolutely no sense to me for many reasons:

A: What kind of parent would allow their daughter(s) to partake in such a job at such a young age
B: What kind of child would want to (or even think) that this is an "alright" job to have at that age
C: Would you not consider this in the same category as child pornography looking at what happens with the internet and cell phones?

http://www.projo.com/news/content/teen_dancers_07-21-09_Q6F39ID_v80.3985e27.html

Wow.
I hope R.I. residents kick their legislators into gear and that the law then comes down like a ton of bricks on violating clubs.

[Michael]

Wow... talk about a 'loophole'. That's incredible. Lets hope the law gets corrected soon enough.

[Americano]

Evidently there is a loophole in Rhode Island's state minor laws that allows 16 year old girls to work as strippers in strip clubs as long as they are home by 11:30.

Personally, I find this outrageous, especially when you have to be 18 to even get into these bars. It makes absolutely no sense to me for many reasons:

A: What kind of parent would allow their daughter(s) to partake in such a job at such a young age

I doubt there's any parental influence involved. Runaways, teens estranged from families and parents who just don't care would provide more strippers than that market could employ.

B: What kind of child would want to (or even think) that this is an "alright" job to have at that age

Many of them. Compared to flipping burgers they're probably making more in one night than a bi-weekly burger job paycheck. In looking at the article RI is no different than many other states by barring those under 18 from a majority of semi-skilled labor jobs.

C: Would you not consider this in the same category as child pornography looking at what happens with the internet and cell phones?

http://www.projo.com/news/content/teen_dancers_07-21-09_Q6F39ID_v80.3985e27.html

I consider child porn applicable to pre-puberty, a very unpopular opinion in mythology worshiping America.

[The Drunk Girl]

I doubt there's any parental influence involved. Runaways, teens estranged from families and parents who just don't care would provide more strippers than that market could employ.

True, a majority of these girls are probably runaways. But, for the sake of argument let us assume that there is a percentage that aren't. I have seen parents not use the best of judgment when it comes to their children when it comes to drugs and alcohol and other actions that you have to be of legal age to participate in. Then there are those parents that just absolutely need to make their children happy and let them do whatever the fuck that want...and the ones that want just as much as their kids do to be "cool." Some people aren't cut out to be parents and parents like anyone else make bad decisions. It happens.




Many of them. Compared to flipping burgers they're probably making more in one night than a bi-weekly burger job paycheck. In looking at the article RI is no different than many other states by barring those under 18 from a majority of semi-skilled labor jobs.

Sure they might be making better money, but what the hell?! They're 16 and still a kid. Money looks good, but are they really seeing the repercussions that could go along? Probably not. Being known as a whore, being raped, and I would take a wild guess at some psychological issues (maybe added on to the ones they already had) that could happen is just to big of a risk to take.

[Americano]

True, a majority of these girls are probably runaways. But, for the sake of argument let us assume that there is a percentage that aren't. I have seen parents not use the best of judgment when it comes to their children when it comes to drugs and alcohol and other actions that you have to be of legal age to participate in. Then there are those parents that just absolutely need to make their children happy and let them do whatever the fuck that want...and the ones that want just as much as their kids do to be "cool." Some people aren't cut out to be parents and parents like anyone else make bad decisions. It happens.

I firmly believe there's a ready supply of people who, for whatever reason or age, fill that and other societal requirements deemed 'bad' by general society. Legal age is a restriction placed by society that's easy to overcome with, in this age of technology, impeccable false ID and we've all seen 16 year olds who appear far older than their chronological ages.

Sure they might be making better money, but what the hell?! They're 16 and still a kid. Money looks good, but are they really seeing the repercussions that could go along? Probably not. Being known as a whore, being raped, and I would take a wild guess at some psychological issues (maybe added on to the ones they already had) that could happen is just to big of a risk to take.

I seriously doubt that many 16 year olds working as strippers have any sense of repercussion beyond the tips.

[Margot]

B: What kind of child would want to (or even think) that this is an "alright" job to have at that age


Why not? Sex is everywhere. They're having sex in school, they're seeing it on TV, they're exposed to it in movies, and on billboards and on commercials and, well, whatever, you get the point.

Why not be a liberated woman? Why not use those wiles for advancement? I mean, it's just sex, it's not that big of a deal! Hell, it's not even sex, it's just stripping.

Now, I don't agree with that at all, but that's how they're thinking. And why not? We do everything to foster that kind of mentality in this country. We're caught between the free sex mentality of the Sexual Revolution, but still hold on to those good old romantic ideals of the past (hold the door open for me, buy me dinner...)

And somehow in the crossfire smart girls, girls who should be thinking and judging and being themselves get trapped. It's not hard to want to go with that flow. It's not hard to look for the easy way to get cash (and attention) especially when the line of acceptability, that we as a society institute, is so fucking hazy.

[Michael]

B: What kind of child would want to (or even think) that this is an "alright" job to have at that age

Why not? Sex is everywhere. They're having sex in school, they're seeing it on TV, they're exposed to it in movies, and on billboards and on commercials and, well, whatever, you get the point.

Why not be a liberated woman? Why not use those wiles for advancement? I mean, it's just sex, it's not that big of a deal! Hell, it's not even sex, it's just stripping.

Now, I don't agree with that at all, but that's how they're thinking. And why not? We do everything to foster that kind of mentality in this country. We're caught between the free sex mentality of the Sexual Revolution, but still hold on to those good old romantic ideals of the past (hold the door open for me, buy me dinner...)

And somehow in the crossfire smart girls, girls who should be thinking and judging and being themselves get trapped. It's not hard to want to go with that flow. It's not hard to look for the easy way to get cash (and attention) especially when the line of acceptability, that we as a society institute, is so fucking hazy.
I agree completely.

Teenagers are particularly prone to over-rate the excitement and adventure of sex and drugs at the same time as they under-rate the risks associated with such behavior. They are immature that that's what immaturity is all about. ;)

Thus, laws must exist to protect minors from exploitation by adults just as much as laws must exist to protect minors from their own immaturity.

[Americano]

I agree completely.

Teenagers are particularly prone to over-rate the excitement and adventure of sex and drugs at the same time as they under-rate the risks associated with such behavior. They are immature that that's what immaturity is all about. ;)

If that's the case I prefer remaining immature. That's still a great rush.

Thus, laws must exist to protect minors from exploitation by adults just as much as laws must exist to protect minors from their own immaturity.

[Lily]

This story is nearly 24-hours-old. Something tells me when I come home from work tonight, the R.I. legistlature will have a hastily passed bill prohibiting this practice.

Oh wait, it's the weekend... yeah, okay Monday.

[Michael]

If that's the case I prefer remaining immature. That's still a great rush.

My sentence was constructed poorly. ;)

Though, I'd say that 'booze & sex' is far better than 'sex & drugs' in my opinion. :D

[partofme]

My sentence was constructed poorly. ;)

Though, I'd say that 'booze & sex' is far better than 'sex & drugs' in my opinion. :D

I think sex and weed is superior to booze and sex by a mile.

[Americano]

I think sex and weed is superior to booze and sex by a mile.

Miles and miles and miles.

[Americano]

"What's your Name" (little girl), appropriate for this thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0SSeACInqw

[Korimyr the Rat]

Sex, sex, and more sex. I've found that the booze and drugs just get in the way.

[Donkey]

I would say a little bit of booze facilitates sex, whereas a lot sort of kills it.

[The Drunk Guy]

I would say a little bit of booze facilitates sex, whereas a lot sort of kills it.
I've found that ruffies help make my sex life ASTOUNDING. ;)

[Korimyr the Rat]

I would say a little bit of booze facilitates sex, whereas a lot sort of kills it.

I've found that ruffies help make my sex life ASTOUNDING. ;)

A little bit of booze turns the medicine I'm on into roofies. May not have hung around the locker room much as a kid, but I'm pretty sure that qualifies as Doing It Wrong.

[KSigMason]

I have to agree with the OP, what kind of parent would allow their child to work as a stripper?

[Americano]

I have to agree with the OP, what kind of parent would allow their child to work as a stripper?

I think parental influence is a negligible or non-existent factor.

[Michael]

I have to agree with the OP, what kind of parent would allow their child to work as a stripper?

One that's not there, doesn't care or doesn't know.

[The Drunk Guy]

One that's not there, doesn't care or doesn't know.
In other words, 60 - 75% of today's parents.

[Michael]

Actually, now that I think about it, even a 'parent who was there and did know' might still be okay with it...

Afterall, anyone who's ever dealt with parents pushing their kids for modeling/acting careers already knows that parental morality can extremely flexible when potential serious money is involved.

And what if 'mom' is a stripper or a prostitute to begin with? I could well imagine a child there being "allowed" to be a stripper at 16.

[The Drunk Guy]

Actually, now that I think about it, even a 'parent who was there and did know' might still be okay with it...

Afterall, anyone who's ever dealt with parents pushing their kids for modeling/acting careers already knows that parental morality can extremely flexible when potential serious money is involved.

And what if 'mom' is a stripper or a prostitute to begin with? I could well imagine a child there being "allowed" to be a stripper at 16.
Imagine how much money such a child could make in order to support her mother's drug habit!

[bug]

I am not as worked up about this as I probably should be. I'm trying to think of concrete reasons why this should not only be an outrage, but illegal as well. All I come up with is, "it's not right"--not a good basis for the foundation of a law. No matter how what I believe about the ethics of this business, I cannot justify my support of a law that prohibits people from making bad decisions. Plus, if there is a market and no one's rights are being violated, people should be able to earn whatever kind of money their...ahem...talents command. I agree, though, that the ability of a sixteen-year-old to make decisions is questionable. If she has an adult's body, it doesn't mean she has an adult's mind. Sixteen is about the age that you're looking anywhere and everywhere for confirmation that you're pretty, and boys like you. Girls that age would get seek out the major self-esteem boost of, number one, getting hired somewhere for their looks, and, number two, telling all their friends. I'm not sure they'd actually know what they were getting into, or actually like the job. Someone impaired by hormones and first attempts at self-awareness is not in good shape to be making decisions--but they also can't grow without making some wrong ones. And stripping doesn't do irreparable damage, necessarily. It could. But so can a lot of things, legal and illegal.

So. All in all, a sixteen-year-old individual is not mature enough to know what is best for them or to weigh decisions properly. They probably shouldn't allow people this age to work in a strip club. And if I saw this spectacle, the first thing out of my mouth would be "Lord, someone stop this, this is horrifying!" But I think it's not just a cut and dry issue. I don't like the idea of freedoms being limited by mommy-knows-best-legislating, in any case. If you're sixteen, you have your choices of places to work. I also don't feel I have much right to command "you can't work at Jewel, because I don't think that's good decision." It's my opinion,and opinions shouldn't be law.

[Korimyr the Rat]

I'm pretty divided on this issue myself.

On the one hand, I consider teenagers to be adults. They should be allowed to work wherever they're qualified, live wherever they can afford, and in general be free to do everything else that adults in society are allowed to do. By the same token, they should have the same responsibilities as adults and should be expected to support themselves unless they've made arrangements with their parents to support their higher education.

On the other hand, stripping is part of the sex industry and I think the entire sex industry is an abomination that should be wiped from the face of the Earth. I don't have any more problem with a fifteen-year-old working in a strip club than I do with a twenty-five-year-old... but I don't have any less, either.

[Americano]

I'm pretty divided on this issue myself.

On the one hand, I consider teenagers to be adults. They should be allowed to work wherever they're qualified, live wherever they can afford, and in general be free to do everything else that adults in society are allowed to do. By the same token, they should have the same responsibilities as adults and should be expected to support themselves unless they've made arrangements with their parents to support their higher education.

On the other hand, stripping is part of the sex industry and I think the entire sex industry is an abomination that should be wiped from the face of the Earth. I don't have any more problem with a fifteen-year-old working in a strip club than I do with a twenty-five-year-old... but I don't have any less, either.

How would you abolish an industry that caters to emotional human desires without totalitarian government? A war on sex?

[Korimyr the Rat]

How would you abolish an industry that caters to emotional human desires without totalitarian government? A war on sex?

I don't have any problem with sex. Sex is good and should be encouraged. In fact, one of my most important objections to the sex industry-- especially pornography-- is that it actively discourages people from pursuing actual sexual relationships.

As far as abolishing the sex industry, I don't think it's possible. But a combination of attempting to rehabilitate the providers and viciously persecuting the customers-- the opposite of the historical and current approach-- could effectively reduce the amount of prostitution and quasi-prostitution in society and at the same time marginalize the people who engage in it, thus reducing the harmful effects of the attitudes and beliefs that are promoted both by the commoditization of sex itself and by the people who either engage in or attempt to justify the practice.

And as you know, I am not entirely averse to totalitarian government. I am only concerned by its tendency to restrict analysis and criticism of its own practices.

[KSigMason]

I think parental influence is a negligible or non-existent factor.
What would be a factor then? I think cultural or environmental (to include the parents) factors are really what influence the actions.

[Michael]

What would be a factor then? I think cultural or environmental (to include the parents) factors are really what influence the actions.
1. Money. Our society/culture effectively determines your status based on the amount of money you have (or have access to). Stripping, like prostitution, is away to make (comparatively) a lot of money.

2. Love. I've read several studies of prostitution and it seems that many of its young practitioners fall into it seeking some kind of affirmation that they never got from their family. Selling sex may be crude and vulgar, but it is a kind of intimacy and humans appear to have a need for some kind of intimacy with other humans.

3. Opportunity. Teenagers are usually ignorant and immature. They make stupid decisions and they can easily be manipulated by clever adults seeking to take advantage of them (especially where sex is involved).