Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2006 Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL) Copyright: 2006 St. Petersburg Times Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/ Website: http://www.sptimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419 Author: Joe Redner DANCERS DESERVE MORE RESPECT Re: More regulation for "adult" businesses, letter, July 3. I wonder if the letter writer thinks dancers are "worthless sex objects" just while they are dancing or all the time? If she considers dancers "worthless sex objects" it says more about her lack of respect for herself as woman than it does about dancers. "All too often, they turn to prostitution and drugs," she wrote. My experience with dancers tells me there is nothing further from the truth. Drugs and prostitution are a societal problem and are in no way indigenous to adult businesses. Dancers have no more of a drug problem than the general public. Most women who come to dancing were already in situations where they had no way to pursue higher education or worthwhile careers and use dancing as a catalyst to reach these goals if they so desire. Women who have children and not much education or skills end up in fast-food restaurants or other such places making minimum wage. For a young woman this is a never-ending quagmire that is hard to get out of. Most of the dancers I have experience with keep their respect and are trying to help themselves. Joe Redner Tampa - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin