Despite growing popularity, American culture continues to look down on exotic dancing as a deviant, somewhat disreputable occupation. Dancers are often categorized with drug addicts, prostitutes, exhibitionists, sex addicts, and deviants of all types and are often referred to as sluts, whores, sleazes, and druggies. Alienation from reputable society is often the result of such a labeling of people associated with, or who participate in, the stripping industry. This study provides an examination of personal and background characteristics of women in the stripping industry, focusing on early sexual experiences, physical maturation, family-of-origin structure, educational and occupational achievement, and prior experiences in entertainment and athletics, as well as abuse and low self-esteem during childhood.