Can we stop pretending these are the same thing? They're not. And as "empowering" as you try to make it, pole dancing is still strongly associated with strip clubs, where women are employed in perhaps the starkest and most direct manner possible of becoming objects for men's sexual pleasure. I can't believe I have to say this, but strip clubs are not palaces of feminism, and it makes me sad that women are so eager to take on a traditional symbol of their own exploitation. Just because strippers as individuals should be treated with as much dignity as the next person and do not deserve the epithets often hurled at them, this does not mean that their job or the place they work is neutral/good for women as a whole. Not everything women do is empowering because it is done by women.

The caption is being disingenuous. Very, very few pole dancers make a living by just dancing; it's about taking clothes off. Of course the art and athleticism of the dance takes massive effort and deserves respect, but these two are simply not in the same trade. The same goes for Fred Astaire and Magic Mike.

except one is sexually exploited...our daughters should not look at stripping as a lucrative means to survive.

Dancing is super hard (yes I'm a dancer, yes it took eight years to learn)

No matter what ANYONE wears, they deserve to be respected. S**t shaming isn’t cool

Because one exists solely as an object of sexual fantasy -- a toy. I'm not saying it isn't work or doesn't take skill. But it's an outgrowth of patriarchy and objectification.

Some of the men in the comments have 0 knowledge of the world of professional dance on both sides of the spectrum, and only have experience observing the one on the right but think they're experts in the field.

Pole dancers make me insanely jealous - I've been trying to get a single chin-up for about five years. Never managed it. The upper body strength they have is beyond me

The first dances with clothes on for art and can be seen by anyone, of any age, during anytime. The second dances in the dark while men jerk off and they twerk, naked for people to place money in their private areas...Umm, yeah, there is a huge difference. Let's not kidd ourselves, strippers exist for male entertainment and is a construct to keep women as sexual beings for male pleasure.

I have the biggest respect for strippers. Not only they have to dance, be fit, look good, but also be nice to asshole customers. Ballerinas don’t have to do customer service ..

They both dance they deserve the same amount of respect

The one on the right probably gets paid better.

I'm realizing that I'm in the minority here were I see the stripper and think "damn she's powerful". I'm a straight woman and though I've never gone a strip club specifically, I do frequent burlesque shows and have tried pole dancing. Both are beautiful forms of art and there is this person on stage commanding the feelings of the audience through movement. Art is meant to make you feel. What it makes you feel is open to what the artist intends, so what if the artist intends to make you feel desire. I'm honestly sick of people shaming sex, sexuality, and sexualization when some people find beauty and power in it for themselves and that should be okay. More people should. So long as everyone participating has agreed to the rules, there shouldn't be a problem.

All people deserve respect. The difference between these two professions is the purpose of the dancing. Some men might enjoy seeing women performing ballet, but is the purpose of ballet to arouse men? What is the purpose of professional pole dancing?

Think of it like this it's like the difference between a violin and a viola if you're a two set violin fan you will understand. There's not that much of a difference in difficulty and skill it's just that one is more respectable in the eye of musicians.