Oprah 2/27--Freegans & Stripper Mom

**happimommi** · 02-28-2008, 09:14 PM

I DVRed Oprah on this day to watch the piece on Freegans. Was a bit disappointed in their coverage and even more disappointed to see that half of the show was dedicated to Stripper Mom.
First off, I don't want to judge her. She feels she is doing what she needs to in order to take care of her children.
The problem I have is that she choose to go public on the Oprah show. What was the purpose of that? Her poor children now have to go to school and everyone has seen thier mother "naked" on TV. And what is she going to do when she is too old to strip? How do you feel about this? How far would you go to feed your kids?

Jo · 02-29-2008, 06:49 AM

I saw it too(for the same reason, to see the Freegans...and wasn't it obscene to see all of the good food going to waste?!!). I was horrified at the Stripper Mom too...I felt sorry for her kids, especially the eldest daughter. I felt sick to my stomach watching her go up to that table and open her shirt to "flash" that man, then put her garter in his face for her "tip". I wanted to smack him right in the head.
I wonder how many women watching that are now considering it? She talked a big talk about the money, but does she have benefits? I assume the kids might be covered by their dad's policy, but what about her? When does she SLEEP(though I guess it's only a couple of nights per week)? I wish she hadn't seem so pleased with how "fun" it was, like a 'big beauty pageant'. I think part of it was, she likes hearing how good she looks for her age.
Would I do it if I was desparate to be with my child and needed a job? Well...no, but not because I'm judging the women who do. For *me*, I can't reconcile that with my religous face(would I want Jesus to walk into the room?) and besides...trust me, men would pay me to keep my clothes ON

**very_inky_fingers** · 02-29-2008, 08:33 AM

I watched Oprah with terribly mixed emotions about stripper mom. I really am envious that she looks that good at her age.

I did not look like that when I was half her age! On the other hand I felt really sorry for her children now that she chose to expose her life to everyone. Those poor kids! (Not to mention future boyfriends of her dear daughter!) I did not feel as though I got enough info on the Freegans...but it did lead me here so I am glad about that.

The wasted food made me so sick. I will say though that I am surprised that the police aren't called to stop them from going through the trash. In my town you get in trouble for stopping to grab a tossed out chair on the side of the road, my friend can attest to that. I suppose I could take the clothes off the treadmill and actually TRY to get in shape.

Mary

**pip** · 02-29-2008, 08:59 AM

I didn't see the show, it sounds interesting! I can't imagine stripping at my age, and I think I look OK, well, with my clothes on..... :surprise:

**rachelMcK** · 03-01-2008, 10:45 AM

I say you so what you gotta do to support your family. I can't say that I would never do it, but what I noticed watching it, did you see the house she lived in?? It looked pretty frickin nice to me, lots of nice stuff. Something tells me she's stripping to support her quality of life, not just to support her kids. You can support your children with a regular job and a smaller house or apartment with less stuff. That being said, I would do it if I absolutley needed to, but I'd try everything else first.

Jo · 03-03-2008, 06:59 AM

Just out of curiousity, I went to Oprah's message boards to see what the viewers had to say....two distinct camps, The "you go girl" camp, and the "I can't believe that Oprah would glorify exploitation of women like that" camp.
Anyhooo...it appears that "Marian the Stripper" is really married...for the THIRD time...to an eye doctor who lives in a gorgeous home across town. For some reason, she chooses not to live with him(the women on the boards said she is there all the time, but I don't know how true that is). She is NOT a poor single mom doing what she has to do to feed her kids....she's got a college degree, grew up well-to-do, has a rich husband(which I guess answers my question about medical insurance coverage).
I think my gut instinct was right....she does this for her own ego. She "talks to these men about their wives and kids"? What on earth are married men doing paying her money to shimmy her boobs in their face??!! Ewwwwwww.

**DJ1972** · 03-03-2008, 07:37 AM

The Stripper Mom...ugghh! I usually don't watch Oprah, but did that day to watch the freegans...then as most others was disappointed with the stripper mom part. She was driving a Nice SUV, living in a super nice house...I think she should have said, "I am doing what I have to do to maintain my lifestyle and feed my ego" instead of acting like she was just trying to make ends meet.

**carlitasway** · 03-03-2008, 08:41 AM

I can't say never will I strip because I'm not in the situation to have to make the decision. If my husband died today I'd be pretty screwed financially. He does have life insurance but it's not a big policy. It has me thinking of what I need to do to be prepared for such a tragedy or one of if he left.

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 03-03-2008, 08:44 AM

Considering that we are all human and we all live different lifestyles, I honestly try never to judge anyone anymore. As long as noone is hurting anyone or going against the law. If she is supporting her family by doing this then so be it. She seemed like a very nice lady!

**annymoll** · 03-03-2008, 10:28 AM

Stripping is stripping, to me. I see no difference in doing it to feed a family verses doing it because you want to maintain a certain lifestyle.As long as it's legal, and she(or he) pays taxes- whatever.I see and hear of immorality every day within homes that we accept as alternate or individual lifestyles.There is no difference to me.I can choose.

**Lady_V** · 03-03-2008, 10:46 AM

me... stripping

do they pay women to get dressed???

I don't watch Oprah, but I was interested in the Freegans... from what I can tell, they are a bit too extreme, even for me.

If a person chooses to strip, is it really any different that a person who chooses to be a model, or even a person who uses their physical assets to get ahead?

Right or wrong, the good looking, well dressed, tight bodied person is more likely to get a promotion than the frumpy person in the cubicle next to them...

**Hannahs mom** · 03-03-2008, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jo

Anyhooo...it appears that "Marian the Stripper" is really married...for the THIRD time...to an eye doctor who lives in a gorgeous home across town. For some reason, she chooses not to live with him(the women on the boards said she is there all the time, but I don't know how true that is). She is NOT a poor single mom doing what she has to do to feed her kids....she's got a college degree, grew up well-to-do, has a rich husband(which I guess answers my question about medical insurance coverage).
I think my gut instinct was right....she does this for her own ego. She "talks to these men about their wives and kids"? What on earth are married men doing paying her money to shimmy her boobs in their face??!! Ewwwwwww.

Hmmmm . . . maybe I shouldn't believe everything that I see on Oprah. Shame on her for portraying herself as a poor single mom. Shame on Oprah for misleading everyone. And, shame on me for watching this crap!

**boogiemum** · 03-03-2008, 01:42 PM

To each his own I guess. While I don't agree with what that mother is doing, I respect her right to choose. Personally I would not strip b/c I believe and try to teach my children that at the end of the day money will come and go, but our actions and and reputation are what we have left.

**happimommi** · 03-03-2008, 02:43 PM

While I don't agree with her choice to strip, it is her choice. I think the most disturbing part of her story was when she talked about showing her children's picture to the men she "dances" for. What man wants to see the stripper's kids unless he is a total perv?