Any 8th graders want to be strippers?
For the third year motivational speaker William Fried came and talked with 8th graders at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School. Fried gave a 55-minute presentation titled “The Secret of a Happy Life” at the school, just as he has the two previous years. And, like the past two years, Fried included exotic dancing on his list of the top 140 careers.
But, this time the students bit on it when one student asked why exotic dancers was included. Reportedly Fried told the eigth graders that exotic dancers make up to $250,000 a year; more depending on their bust size. According to one student, he told the classes, “for every two inches up there, you should get another $50,000 on your salary.”
Fried tried to back out in an interview later, stating “it’s sick, but it’s true. The truth of the matter is you can earn a tremendous amount of money as an exotic dancer, if that’s your desire.” But, he added “eigth-grade kids are not dumb. They are pretty worldly.”
Principal Joseph DiSalvo felt that “it’s totally inappropriate”, and added that he felt that presenters should have the understanding of the group they are talking to.
According to DiSalvo, “a couple of students egged him and he took it hook, line, and sinker.”
Another angry parent reported that her son told her that he was no longer planning on going to college so that he could concentrate fishing.
The motivational presentation was intended to give the kids the idea that they can decide on a career based on their interests, and that they need to try a lot of different things to find those interests.
Source: Speaker Touts Stripping to 8th Graders