This following study serves as an attempt to apply theoretical questions to the phenomenon of striptease. I argue that striptease can be more fully understood as an act guided by the rules of performance. Strippers, and to a lesser extent the audience, can then be seen as actors employing a fantasy phase to sustain their respective roles within the charade of performance sex. Strippers and audiences are also players within the concept of performance itself, meaning they are simultaneously subject to and authors of the phenomenon. Using a biosocial approach, I explore the psychological, cultural, and physiological, etc., cues that may influence and/or motivate the characters involved in the performance of striptease. The formulations presented here are based on in-depth interviews with actual strippers and observations gathered during long-term strip club attendance.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations