A guy really, really pissed me off yesterday by asking me, "Why do you have to do this?" meaning my work. Then he shoved his foot further down his throat by telling me that obviously my husband does not make enough money because he should be able to support me. He said it with such a smug air of superiority, it just made me want to throttle him! Since lots of people ask me why I do what I do, and want to state my position without turning this into a big rant, let me make a FAQ out of this.
Why are you a dancer?
Short answer: It pays the bills, and does not require too much of me. Working part time leaves me free to be a better wife and mother.
Longer answer: I dance because I like it. I like being around people and I like the physical, sexual nature of the work. I also like getting paid cash every day (NOT under the table--I do pay taxes!) and in proportion to how hard and how well I worked. I like the instant aspect of the work, too. I know immediately the results of what I have done, and whether I was successful in making a sale or not. I love being my own boss. And I like to think I make a difference in peoples' s lives, in a small way. I believe that entertainment and fantasy are important for people's mental health, and I like making people happy.
I am NOT dancing for lack of other opportunities. I was pre-med when I got pregnant, and then took a couple of years off to raise my son. Dancing allowed me an easy, flexible way to rejoin the work force and still be there for my family when they needed me.
Doesn't your husband make any money?
This question is irritating for its pure nosiness, but it comes up a lot. My husband also works a job that allows him to be free as much of the time as possible, to be with our son. He makes a reasonable amount of money, but not a fortune. He supported us alone for 2 years, and it was pure hell. I also grew up with a mother who refused to work outside the home, and that was also very hard. I would rather work and make my own money that I can save or spend on things to make our lives better, than to sit around the house and be too broke to do anything.
Why don't you do something else?
I will, eventually. Right now I want to be available for my son, to give him the very best start in life. I can't give up sleep, which I would have to do if I chose to 1) pursue an 9 to 5, or 2) go back to college, and still give my son hours and hours of my undivided attention. I also do not want to spend a large amount of time and money on more education, only to later decide it's not what I want to pursue.
What do you think you would like to do?
Something related to science, definitely. I might go into something related to DNA and molecular biology (me second degree) or possibly something related to nature and ecology. Or possibly health and nutrition. I know I do NOT want to be a clinical psychologist (my first degree) or a teacher again. I am also fairly sure I don't want to make any of my hobbies (singing, cooking, writing, etc) my full time work.
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