Shannon works for a firm that permits men to hire “dancers” for private sessions in which the dancers perform in sexually provocative ways. Clients select from a “menu” of services that include special rooms and close-up strip shows. Shannon often participates in dominance-submission fantasy performances, but the rules of her firm allow no sexual or genital contact between the people involved. She is simply creating a live fantasy. Prices for her work range from $120 to $450 per half-hour. Shannon is 25 years-old, has a husband and child, and attends college. The money she earns as a sex worker helps with her family’s living expenses as is the case with any job. In discussing her work in this video clip, she focuses mostly on sadomasochistic themes involving dominance and submission. She reminds us that in such interactions, the action is controlled primarily by the submissive person through the use of verbal signals or other means. She indicates that most of her clients who are submissive are successful businessmen who want someone else to be “in charge” for a brief time.

Please watch the following video clip and answer the corresponding follow-up questions.

Shannon, A Private Club Dancer

1			Unlike telephone sex workers, private club workers such as Shannon have direct contact with their clients. Do you feel that this work should be regulated by law? Why or why not?
2			Based on information in your text, what are some of the dynamics of sadomasochism that are illustrated by Shannon’s observations?