Boys and Dance (400)

Last year, when I went to watch my friends dance recital, I was overcome by the adorableness of the younger kids’ dances, but I was also drawn to watch the boy dancers of all ages.  I was watching the boys because there were only a few of them in the whole show. The ratio of boys to girls was at least one to fifteen. The younger boys danced just as well as the little girls doing kick-ball-changes and turns when they were told. The older boys, all teenagers, were very good! They were better than some of their fellow, female dancers I believe.  This raised the question, why? Why are there so many less boy dancers?

Dance is generally looked upon as a “girly” activity. Generally ballerina decorations are hung in girls’ rooms and footballs and basketballs in the boys’.  I think this is because when parents look upon their young son they would like to see a great football player in his future, not a young man in tights. Even if they do think that it is “unmanly” to let their son dance they would be taking away an opportunity to make him a better football player.  Dance helps with flexibility and dexterity, which would help any athlete not just a football player. I think it is unfair that young boys do not have the great opportunities to be dancers.

Boys are built differently than girls; this can be a positive and negative attribute. Their hips specifically, are more functional for toe touch jumps, making it easier for boys to do.  They are also more muscular, which makes it harder to be graceful.   

If boys later in life feel like they want to pursue a career in dance or theater or performance, basic dance skills are necessary and advanced dance skills would be something to catch people’s attention. It would be better if they had attained these skills at a young age so they didn’t have to learn it later in life. Learning a new skill later in life is harder then when you are very young, “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” as some people say.

Dance class is also not just a learning situation but also a social one. Some people make lifelong friends at dance classes. Dance also gives you a way to express yourself which could keep some kids away from violence or rebellion.