Question

Early in her journalistic career, Gloria Steinem posed as a Playboy Bunny to examine the inside of a Playboy Club. Steinem discovered that the Bunnies had to purchase their costumes from the club, pay for cleaning them, purchase their food from the club, and so on. This "company store" exploitedthe employees (the Bunnies), according to Stcinem. Explain what Steinem meant by exploitation.

Short answer

In your own words, explain what Gloria Steinem meant by "exploitation" when she referred to the situation at Playboy Clubs, and how these practices affected the Bunnies. Gloria Steinem considered the situation at Playboy Clubs exploitative because the Bunnies were unfairly treated through a range of business practices. The Bunnies had to purchase their costumes, pay for their cleaning, and even buy their food from the club, which put much of their income back into the employer's hands. Being forced to buy these items necessary for their employment made it difficult for the Bunnies to improve their financial situation or leave the job, contributing to a cycle of dependency. Essentially, the club profited from the Bunnies' labor while also profiting from their basic needs, which is what Steinem meant by exploitation.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the context

Begin by getting familiar with the context. Gloria Steinem, an American journalist, posed as a Playboy Bunny to investigate the working conditions inside a Playboy Club. During her undercover work, she noticed that the Bunnies had several expenses they had to cover related to their employment, which she considered exploitative.

Define exploitation

Exploitation occurs when an individual, group, or institution takes unfair advantage of someone else's vulnerability in order to benefit or profit. It frequently involves unfair labor practices, including low wages, minimal benefits, unhealthy or unsafe working conditions, or a lack of job security.

Identify the factors contributing to exploitation in this case

Based on Steinem's observations, the exploitation of the Bunnies consisted of several factors: - The Bunnies had to purchase their costumes from the club - They had to pay for the cleaning and maintenance of their costumes - They were required to purchase their food from the club These costs likely meant the Bunnies had limited resources left for themselves, especially considering that these expenses were tied directly to their employment.

Explain how the company store concept contributed to exploitation

The "company store" concept refers to a situation where employees are obligated to buy goods or services from their employer, often at inflated prices. This practice is exploitative because it puts employees in a cycle of dependence on the company, making it harder for them to leave or improve their financial situation. In the case of the Playboy Club, the Bunnies were forced to purchase necessary items and services from the club, putting their income right back into the company's pockets. This created a power imbalance and made it difficult for the Bunnies to leave the job, as they may have owed the company money for their uniforms, food, or other expenses. The "company store" system enabled the club to benefit from their employee's labor while also profiting off of their basic needs.

Conclusion

Gloria Steinem meant that the working conditions of the Playboy Bunnies were exploitative because the club forced them to purchase items and services they needed for their employment directly from the company, creating a cycle of dependency. The company store practices at Playboy Clubs contributed to exploitation by making it difficult for the Bunnies to improve their financial situation or leave the job, thereby taking advantage of their vulnerable position as employees.

Key concepts

Unfair Labor Practices

Unfair labor practices are actions by employers or unions that violate the rights of workers or fail to adhere to labor laws and regulations. These practices often create an imbalance of power between employers and employees, which can result in workers being treated unfairly. Some typical unfair labor practices include:

• Not providing fair wages or compensation for work done.
• Failing to offer benefits such as health insurance or paid leave.
• Creating unsafe or unhealthy working conditions.
• Lack of job security or threatening job loss without valid reason.

These practices not only disadvantage the employees but can also have wider societal impacts, including increased poverty and inequality. Addressing and correcting unfair labor practices is an important step towards ensuring a fair and just working environment for all employees.

Worker Vulnerability

Worker vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of individuals or groups to exploitation due to various factors such as lack of information, resources, or power. Vulnerability can be both economic and social, and it can be exacerbated by market or policy imperfections. Workers who are new, less experienced, or in need of immediate income often find themselves in situations where their rights might be compromised. Some aspects that contribute to worker vulnerability include:

• Limited access to information about labor rights and benefits.
• Scarcity of employment opportunities, leading to desperation.
• Economic dependency on the employer, making it hard to leave a job.
• Insecure immigration status or language barriers.

To reduce vulnerability, it is crucial for workers to have access to education, resources, and support networks that can empower them to assert their rights and seek better working conditions.

Company Store System

The company store system is a scenario where employees are compelled to buy goods and services directly from their employers. This system was prevalent in past industries where companies provided housing and services as part of employment. However, these were often sold at inflated prices, leading to employee exploitation.
This system effectively traps employees in a cycle of debt and dependency on their employer. It inflates their cost of living while keeping wages low, ensuring the company's profit margins. Key characteristics include:

• Mandatory purchase of necessary supplies or tools from the employer.
• Inflated prices compared to market rates.
• Deduction of employee expenses directly from wages.
• Inability for employees to easily exit the employment due to financial ties.

While the company store system might provide short-term convenience, it ultimately limits the financial freedom and personal growth of employees, perpetuating cycles of exploitation.