Strippers and Screamers

Abstract

This article explores the emergence of social control in a specific, noninstitutionalized setting: the male strip club. While male strippers have been around for the past two decades, clubs in which men strip are still few and far between and remain places where few regulars and many club “virgins” frequent. Thus, the norms of interaction are not by any means established or institutionalized. Based on existing literature on exotic dancers, as well as observation and interviews with employees at a male strip club, the development of norms and rules of social control of both dancers and club patrons is examined. Violations and responses to violations of both simple and bureaucratic norms/rules of social control are also discussed.