Speaker Touts Stripping to 8th Graders

**guest2** · 01-14-2005, 12:18 PM

I just read this article on the yahoo website.

As a parent I find this reprehensible! I cannot believe that this "speaker" actually had the audacity to say these things to a group of impressionable 8th graders.

And as for the substitute teacher, why on earth did they not stop this "conversation" the minute it started.

I would hope that the sub is never asked to sub again!

Speaker Touts Stripping to 8th Graders

2 hours, 16 minutes ago
Add to My Yahoo! Top Stories - AP

By BILEN MESFIN, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - The principal of a Palo Alto middle school may not invite a popular speaker back to an annual career day after he told girls they could earn a good living as strippers.

Management consultant William Fried told eighth-graders at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School on Tuesday that stripping and exotic dancing can pay $250,000 or more per year, depending on their bust size.

"It's sick, but it's true," Fried said in an interview later. "The truth of the matter is you can earn a tremendous amount of money as an exotic dancer, if that's your desire."

Fried has given a popular 55-minute presentation, "The Secret of a Happy Life," at the school's career day the past three years. He counsels students to experiment with a variety of interests until they discover something they love and excel in.

But school principal Joseph Di Salvo said Fried may not be back next year.

The principal said Fried's comments to the class came after some of them asked him to expand on why he included "exotic dancing" on his list of 140 potential careers.

Fried spent about a minute answering questions, defining strippers and exotic dancers synonymously. According to Jason Garcia, 14, he told students: "For every 2 inches up there, you should get another $50,000 on your salary."

"A couple of students egged him and he took it hook, line and sinker," said Di Salvo, who also said the students took advantage of a substitute teacher overseeing the session.

"It's totally inappropriate," Di Salvo said. "It's not OK by me. I would want my presenters to kind of understand that they are coming into a career day for eighth-graders."

That stripping advice wasn't the only thing that riled parents. Di Salvo said one mother said she was outraged when her son announced that he was forgoing college for a field he loves: fishing.

"He really focused on finding what you really love to do," said Mariah Cannon, 13.

Fried, 64, said he does not think he offended any of the students: "Eighth-grade kids are not dumb," he said. "They are pretty worldly."

**matt&roxy** · 01-14-2005, 12:33 PM

Oh my goodness!!!! Can you imagine your daughter coming home from school and telling you she had decided what she wanted to be when she grew up and then told you that she wanted to be a stripper!!! I would be very angry and offended if I had children in that class!!!!

**gkp1031** · 01-14-2005, 11:04 PM

I am livid reading that. I don't think a stripper or exotic dancer, what ever you want to call that trash, is a reputable "profession".

**Dixie** · 01-14-2005, 11:08 PM

That story makes a good case for homeschooling!

**Early Bird** · 01-15-2005, 04:28 PM

So sad. When the money a 'profession' brings weighs more than the damage it carries. Wonder what he'd say about prostitution as a 'career' ?

I'd rather have my daughter take a religious vow of poverty than become a wealthy exotic dancer.

**Katybird** · 01-16-2005, 01:20 PM

That is just awful. I don't know how they could even consider ever letting him come back and speak to children again.

**MarshHen** · 01-17-2005, 02:45 AM

Well, that ranks right up there with the health teacher who took my daughters 5th grade class to the local health department and they gave each child a brown lunch bag full of condoms to bring home.

Talk about mad and upset! There ain't a smilie here that could cover it!