Citation

Lavin MF. Deviant Behav. 2013; 34(5): 361-383.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01639625.2012.735611

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Through fieldwork and interviews, this research addresses internal and external social control of drug and alcohol use in "Mell's Belles," a strip club in a working-class northeastern city. I describe a variety of internal social control techniques used to regulate alcohol and illicit drugs, and then note the impact of external social control on the strip club, including police raids and general surveillance. Strip clubs have an unpredictable, laissez faire approach to rule enforcement, enforcing rules only when necessary. External social control uses legal power to infiltrate Mell's Belles over petty ordinance breaches, and ultimately, drugs. As an underclass population engaged in deviant work, strippers and patrons are unequipped to contend with surveillance regimes.