The Mother's Union in the U.K. is not happy with an aerobics class in Bolton, Greater Manchester that is offering pole dancing classes to their 7-year-old daughters under the guise of “aerobics/ gymnastics with a pole.”
Really? Parents are falling for that?
Apparently the answer is that yes, they are.
Miss Pole Dance 2011 champion, Jess Norris, who runs the classes, says she doesn't teach the girls anything “rude,” which we took to mean “sexy.” They're just learning how to use a pole to remain fit. And parents are required to attend. But that's little comfort to the Mother's Union and other critics who say the moves are much more sexual than Norris lets on.
“Whilst the pole dancing lessons do require parental attendance to start with, we are concerned that children are being targeted with an activity that, by and large, is part of a male club culture which objectifies women,” a spokeswoman for the Mother's Union said. “It is naive to suggest that any young person joining such a class will be unaware of the intention of pole dancing. We hope parents would consider the negative impact it could have on their child's perception of their own body and sexuality.”
Are we sexualizing our children too young? And is teaching them that it's okay to be sexual harmful? Who can say, really? But we're not altogether sure we're comfortable with the insinuation that being sexually open in your adult years is “bad.”
Really? Parents are falling for that?
Apparently the answer is that yes, they are.
Miss Pole Dance 2011 champion, Jess Norris, who runs the classes, says she doesn't teach the girls anything “rude,” which we took to mean “sexy.” They're just learning how to use a pole to remain fit. And parents are required to attend. But that's little comfort to the Mother's Union and other critics who say the moves are much more sexual than Norris lets on.
“Whilst the pole dancing lessons do require parental attendance to start with, we are concerned that children are being targeted with an activity that, by and large, is part of a male club culture which objectifies women,” a spokeswoman for the Mother's Union said. “It is naive to suggest that any young person joining such a class will be unaware of the intention of pole dancing. We hope parents would consider the negative impact it could have on their child's perception of their own body and sexuality.”
Are we sexualizing our children too young? And is teaching them that it's okay to be sexual harmful? Who can say, really? But we're not altogether sure we're comfortable with the insinuation that being sexually open in your adult years is “bad.”
I hate when people judge pole dancing without knowing what it's all about. It IS simply dancing or aerobics with a pole. The pole is simply a prop; you can use it to perform strengthening exercises, cardiovascular workouts, and dances influenced by everything from salsa to street to ballet.
I am 21 and have been pole dancing for the last few year or so and although I have never spoken to Jess Leanne Norris, I have had the pleasure of watching her perform in real life as she was judging a local dance competition. She is an absolute inspiration, and her strength, flexibility and interpretation of music are awe-inspiring; she is only 18 (I believe) and yet has already had her own pole dance studio for several years.
Perhaps the people having a ridiculous knee-jerk reaction to this should watch some videos of pole dancing on YouTube, and in particular those of Jess performing.
Some would say this does raise the question of "is teaching something potentially sexual to children wrong" (to which my personal response is not necessarily, perhaps we need to stop treating sex like a dirty, harmful thing that children need to be 'protected' from); however, the more direct issue to address is 'is pole dancing sexual', to which I say it doesn't have to be in the slighest. I sometimes put on some heels and have a bit of fun trying to "sexy dance", but if you saw me at a class bruised, sweating and trying to perfect a move that requires immense strength you wouldn't think it sexy in the slightest, and I'm not trying to be. It's a proper sport, with grades that can be achieved only if you demonstrate a knowledge of warming up/down and correct execution of moves. Pole dancing is only considered sexual because of ideas and stereotypes that adults apply to it.
With that I shall climb down from my soapbox, and the only other thing I will say is that everyone should have a go! Men, women, adults, kids, it doesn't matter. It's so much fun, so fittening and I wish I could have taken it up years ago!
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