Part 5/9:
Known informally as the "stripper index," the correlation of cash tips in strip clubs to economic downturns highlights how economic hardship can trickle down into various sectors. Research has suggested that revenue declines in the sex work industry often precede economic downturns by years. For instance, analysis by the Urban Institute found that particular cities saw a significant decline in sex work revenues leading up to the 2007 market crash
It’s not just strippers feeling the impact; the cash tips they receive decline drastically during times of economic uncertainty, thus serving as an informal, yet reliable gauge of consumer confidence and financial health.