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Kerry Asks...
I am from quite a good background however i'd like to be a pole dancer etc and be in the adult industry. do u think this is good?
What we suggest...
Hi Kerry, thanks for contacting q2a.
Before we talk about your question regarding pole dancing and the adult industry, we just wonder quite what you mean when you say you are from “quite a good background however”. Do you think there are real differences between what you would call a good background and what you might think is not a good background - we would like to talk this through with you if you wanted to explain what you meant. Do you think that if a person comes from a good background they should only do certain things, and people from a not so good background should do certain other things? Do you think people can 'better' themselves or actually loose the benefits of the good background? These are quite loaded value judgments and it would be good to think fully about them. Just to end this piece we would suggest thinking about what you think makes a good background, and a not so good background. Can we ever be completely objective about our own background and how good it is - and how much we should let it affect our future. Should it affect us at all? And do we mean good/not so good, or really do we mean different?
Following on from that we guess you have concerns about this type of work? Whatever the reason we hope our reply will tell you more. We are going to include an extract from an article in wikipedia as it goes some way to explain how pole dancing is becoming 'respectable' (and so an acceptable activity for someone with a 'good' background?):
The following information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_dancing provides some information about pole dancing;
'Pole dancing is a form of dancing/gymnastics. It involves dancing sensually with a vertical pole and is often used in strip clubs and gentlemen's clubs, although more recently artistic pole dancing (Chinese poles) is used in cabaret/circus and stage performance in a non-erotic environment. Advanced pole dancing requires significant strength and endurance. In a strip club setting, pole dancing is often performed less gymnastically and combined with striptease, and/or lap dancing between performers. The dancer(s) may simply hold the pole, or use it to perform more athletic moves such as climbs, spins, and body inversions. Upper body and core strength are important to proficiency, which takes time to develop.Pole dancing is now regarded as a recognised form of exercise and can be used as both an aerobic and anaerobic workout. Recognised schools and qualifications are being developed as pole dancing increases in popularity. Pole dancing is also regarded by some people as a performing art. It (pole dancing) is used as a performing art in some modern-day circuses. One of these circuses is Montreal's Cirque du Soleil.'
So pole dancing is an activity that can be used for exercise and there are an increasing number of classes on offer. There are a number of classes running in Bury, if you are interested. For instance there is the Poletastic School of Pole Dance that runs classes at Radcliffe City Hall, Thomas Street, Radcliffe. The phone number for info is 0845 225 8822. There are also some run from Gym Works Health and Fitness Studio in Brook Street by another organisation. Their website is www.pole-licious.co.uk and they specify that the class is for over 16s. However they also say that there are more classes starting and there is an enquiry form on the site. It might be worth emailing them to see if they will have younger people in the class. If there is demand they will probably respond. We don't recommend either of these but include them as an example of what is available.
As you say, the popular perception of pole dancing is probably still associated with the adult industry. This term is normally used to describe a number of different legal and illegal businesses that are involved with the selling, promotion and display of sexual activities. These include strip, pole and lap dancing clubs, pornography, escort services and prostitution.
Why do you consider pole dancing in the adult industry an attractive work option? Maybe you have seen a magazine article or television programme about pole dancing, and maybe it seemed glamorous and exciting? Most people would regard working in the adult industry as something to avoid, as workers are often exploited and abused. This work is often considered as degrading to women as it serves only to satisfy men's sexual fantasies. We strongly believe that this type of work places girls and women at risk of sexual exploitation, so we would not recommend it as a career option.
You tell us you are 13, so you still have plenty of time to choose your GCSE options and give more thought to your career options. There are lots of ways of finding out about training and work opportunities. You should have met your Connexions Advisor already at school. You can also visit the Connexions Centre and look at all the resources there on different careers. You will find it at:
#· Connexions Bury, 13-15 Broad Street, Bury, BL9 0DA. Tel: 0161 253 7733. Open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, except Wednesday, when they close at 3.30pm. Drop in, no appointment needed. www.connexions-bury.org.uk
Or, if there are some other work areas you would like to know more about then please do contact us again and we can help too.
For face to face info on dance classes or anything else you could also call in at
# Y-Pas, 17 Parsons Lane, Bury. Tel 0161 761 2136.Open Monday 4.00 - 7.00pm, Wednesday 4.00 - 6.00pm, Thursday 4.00 - 6.00pm and Saturday 10.30 - 12.30pm. Drop in, no appointment is needed.
We hope our reply is helpful and has given you some food for thought. Please do contact us again, through q2a, about this, or anything else.
Best wishes q2a.
Expert advice and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information on this page is trustworthy and reliable, but the publishers do not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracy as information can go out of date very quickly. This page gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. With regard to suggested weblinks given in this reply please note that Lancashire County Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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