Dance is a physical and athletic activity requiring great skill, strength, and agility. Sounds like an ideal fit for energetic boys—so where are they? Although dancers must be in top physical condition, dance’s artistry masks the brute strength and agility many of us prefer to see from men in our culture.
Negative perceptions about men in dance are unfortunate because dance offers benefits for all children that are very similar to those offered by competitive sports:
- Increased strength, coordination, flexibility, and balance
- A lasting, positive attitude toward fitness and health
- Increased concentration and focus
- A sense of accomplishment through skill mastery
- Experience with teamwork
Performing requires the dancer to convey emotions or meaning to an audience using skill and techniques that he or she has mastered.
Creating choreography involves translating ideas into movement; making decisions; structuring and developing motifs or phrases; using space, time, music, and other elements to support a theme; and problem-solving.
Viewing and discussing dance refines observation and evaluation skills, develops artistic awareness and the vocabulary to interpret and describe what is witnessed, and provides opportunities to experience and understand other cultures, history, and viewpoints. As a physical and intellectual pursuit, dance is the total package for boys and girls alike.
So how can parents get the guys through the door? It’s important to find a dance studio that makes boys feel comfortable and valued. The school should provide an approach to dance in which all movement is explored, for example, fast/slow, sharp/smooth, jumps in the air/rolling on the floor. Classes should include styles that are likely to interest boys, such as hip-hop, tumbling, capoeira, rhythm tap, and stage combat. If possible, look for male teachers or those who have experience instructing and choreographing for young men. Instructors could also adopt a more flexible dress code for classes.
Encourage your school to offer opportunities for boys to perform. Most importantly, go behind the scenes with your sons to observe the hard physical work involved in making dance look easy. It’s easier to appreciate dance by watching the process from all angles, and create a space and an attitude within our schools in which boys are encouraged to dance, providing a richer experience for all dancers, parents, and communities.