Mindy S. Bradley-Engen is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas.

"Most studies of the sex industry focus on the feminists' debates resulting from the 1980 sex wars, which question if the nature of sex work is good or bad for women. However, Bradley-Engen in her ethnographic study moves the discourse beyond this debate, and argues that the level of exploitation, or empowerment, women experience working in the exotic dance industry depends in which types of clubs they work … Bradley-Engen's study adds to the field of the sociology of women, labor stratification, and future directions of sex industry research." — Contemporary Sociology"Naked Lives offers highly readable shifts between Bradley-Engen's reflections on her own experiences as a dancer and the experiences of other business-insiders … First-person narratives convincingly convey exotic dancers' feelings of anger, frustration, and affirmation, while the author's application of a 'social worlds' template is original and innovative." — Canadian Journal of Sociology"Unlike other studies of exotic dancers that rely on interviews with dancers or ethnographies of strip clubs, this book combines the author's own personal narratives with formal interviewing and observations. She utilizes great quotes and offers powerful imagery of an industry that otherwise can easily be misunderstood or sensationalized. She quickly brings the reader into the club world by opening the chapters with her personal experiences." — Lisa Pasko, coauthor of The Female Offender: Girls, Women, and Crime, Second Edition

• Acknowledgments1. IntroductionMy InterestApplying a Social Worlds Perspective2. MethodologyAnalytical ApproachThe Dancers3. Dancing at the Hustle ClubThe Social World of the Hustle Club The PussycatAdjusting to the World of the Hustle Club Brianna’s Story4. Dancing at the Show Club The Social World of the Show Club Babydoll’sAdjusting to the World of the Show Club ShowcasingRachel’s Story5. Dancing at the Social Club The Social World of the Social Club FantasyAdjusting to the World of the Social Club Club InitiationNadia’s Story6. The Social Worlds of Exotic Dance The Work and Normative Order of the Hustle ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Hustle ClubThe Work and Normative Order of the Show ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Show ClubThe Work and Normative Order of the Social ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Social Club7. ConclusionFuture Directions... Club Typology TrendsChallenging the "Exploitation versus Liberation" DebateNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

Mindy S. Bradley-Engen is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas.

"Most studies of the sex industry focus on the feminists' debates resulting from the 1980 sex wars, which question if the nature of sex work is good or bad for women. However, Bradley-Engen in her ethnographic study moves the discourse beyond this debate, and argues that the level of exploitation, or empowerment, women experience working in the exotic dance industry depends in which types of clubs they work … Bradley-Engen's study adds to the field of the sociology of women, labor stratification, and future directions of sex industry research." — Contemporary Sociology"Naked Lives offers highly readable shifts between Bradley-Engen's reflections on her own experiences as a dancer and the experiences of other business-insiders … First-person narratives convincingly convey exotic dancers' feelings of anger, frustration, and affirmation, while the author's application of a 'social worlds' template is original and innovative." — Canadian Journal of Sociology"Unlike other studies of exotic dancers that rely on interviews with dancers or ethnographies of strip clubs, this book combines the author's own personal narratives with formal interviewing and observations. She utilizes great quotes and offers powerful imagery of an industry that otherwise can easily be misunderstood or sensationalized. She quickly brings the reader into the club world by opening the chapters with her personal experiences." — Lisa Pasko, coauthor of The Female Offender: Girls, Women, and Crime, Second Edition

• Acknowledgments1. IntroductionMy InterestApplying a Social Worlds Perspective2. MethodologyAnalytical ApproachThe Dancers3. Dancing at the Hustle ClubThe Social World of the Hustle Club The PussycatAdjusting to the World of the Hustle Club Brianna’s Story4. Dancing at the Show Club The Social World of the Show Club Babydoll’sAdjusting to the World of the Show Club ShowcasingRachel’s Story5. Dancing at the Social Club The Social World of the Social Club FantasyAdjusting to the World of the Social Club Club InitiationNadia’s Story6. The Social Worlds of Exotic Dance The Work and Normative Order of the Hustle ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Hustle ClubThe Work and Normative Order of the Show ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Show ClubThe Work and Normative Order of the Social ClubExplaining Career Continuity: The World of the Social Club7. ConclusionFuture Directions... Club Typology TrendsChallenging the "Exploitation versus Liberation" DebateNotesSelected BibliographyIndex