Little boys in ballet or tap dancing: okay or not?

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  Posted by Angela Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:16am PST

  I have to ask why this question is being asked at all. The question should be "Why WOULDN'T you put your son in dance classe?"

  My husband and I have actually discussed this topic extensively. When we have children, rather than pushing, or even suggesting to our children that they play team sports, we plan to put them in dance, martial arts, and tumbling, no matter their gender. If they eventually want to quit, or join a team sport, we wouldn't prevent them.

  I encourage anyone who's leary of allowing a male child to join dance to consider the benefits afforded to male dancers later in life. Male dancers are so in demand that they're often awarded large college scholarships to study dance. They can, of course, double major, or minor if they choose, for those who believe they need something to fall back on. Many colleges have travelling dance teams or performing dance troops. (Pittsburgh has several famous collegiate dance troops, that offer large and full scholarships). Tumblers also get offered scholarships. Male and female cheerleaders alike get awarded full scholarships to major universities around the country, as do male and female gymnasts.

  One of my favorite shows in "So You Think You Can Dance." The dancing is amazing, and the show has won emmies. Nigel Lithgow is constantly citing the male dancers on that show as examples of why male children should be enrolled in dance.

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  Posted by another hockey fan Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:27am PST

  I agree. Why not? I think any type of physical activity such as dance and karate that teaches kids coordination skills and discipline is a great way to help them develop into their youth. Most young kids have so much pent up energy and little attention span this could be a way to help control that and help them to focus better.

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  Posted by Maya Wed Nov 4, 2009 12:21pm PST

  My three year old daughter is currently taking ballet, and there is a boy in her class. Most of the little girls tease him for being in the class with them. So my question is, why would you put your son through that? At three years old most children don't know yet, what should or shouldn't be said, that could hurt another childs feelings.

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  Posted by Appletini Wed Nov 4, 2009 12:53pm PST

  Patrick Swayze's mom had him enrolled in her dance school and he studied dance extensively. I think it is good to expose a child to different experiences and it does help with coordination and muscle development. Bulging huge football players take dance to become more flexible and the idea that it is not "manly' is ridiculous. More boys would enroll if the parents encouraged a good attitude about it.

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  Posted by SLM Wed Nov 4, 2009 2:36pm PST

  Maya - shame on the teacher of that class for not taking the time to remind the girls that we do not tease our classmates. There is an opportunity for real learning here and the teacher is missing it. My dance teachers were always VERY strict disciplinarians, and they didn't tolerate teasing or horsing around of any kind. Most dance teachers are like that, it actually surprises me that your daughter's teacher hasn't noticed or stopped it.

  That being said, I believe that all children should be exposed to all sorts of things, gender aside. My daughters had cars, trucks, etc to play with. They wore bright colored clothes (no pink, a personal choice on my part) and weren't afraid to get dirty. Gender roles aren't instinctual, they are learned behavior. We owe it to our sons and daughters to expose them to different things so they can choose for themselves what makes them happy...without giving a crap what society has to say about it.

  And children will at some point be teased. Whether they are too fat, too skinny, have braces, wear the wrong shoes, or shoes that are too nice...no matter what, we are all teased at some point. Part of growing up is learning to deal with the teasing, and understanding that it hurts so that you don't become a bully someday as well.

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  Posted by Michelle Wed Nov 4, 2009 7:10pm PST

  All kids dance. Just put on some music and see what happens! If my son wants to learn how to dance, I have no problem enrolling him in a dance class. I won't, however, put up with his being teased for doing something he enjoys.

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  Posted by AMBER C Thu Nov 5, 2009 8:09am PST

  The years I danced as a kid, any boy in our class was instantly surrounded by adoring girls, fascinated to have a male in the room with us. None of them ever got teased but most got girlfriends out of the deal. If a kid shows an interest in something, follow that interest. You never know if your child might be discovering a future career path.

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  Posted by brooke g Thu Nov 5, 2009 9:59am PST

  Ballet, I say no. My husband says Hell no.

  I wouldn't sign my daughter up for football, so no I wouldn't sign my son up for ballet.

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  Posted by Barbie Thu Nov 5, 2009 10:06am PST

  I see nothing wrong with it at all. Hello..Patrick Swayze!!!! I rest my case!

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  Posted by Maya Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:06pm PST

  SLM, Of course the teacher tells the children not to tease, but what else can she do? She has a class full of three year olds.

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