Why is it that belly dancing classes are usually 16+?

Answer 1

As a bellydance instructor I usually only do 16+ for classes but will offer private instruction to those who are younger. Ocassionally if I feel a younger dancer is commited enough end will do well in the classes I will allow for it however the reasons we do our classes at 16+ are:
1. 15 year old girls(and younger) often do not join for exercise and usually join to learn how to be "sexy" and dance like Shakira. However when they find out how hard it is many give up because they have not become an instant Shakira. This takes up our studio space and our time and takes away from our other students because for every additional student we have to split our one on one instruction between them.
2. Often younger girls have a hard time following the pace of an adult based class and may become bored. Us older women (like 25+) tend to take longer to learn moves usually and young girls are easily bored when the instruction pace becomes slow. Because of this they also often become distracting in the class as a way of reducing boredom.
3. In an adult class we sometimes get talking during warm-ups and drills and sometimes adult language comes up so if there is a younger person in the class and they hear it and tell their parents sometimes the parents get all upset about it.
4. Some instructors (not myself) do not instruct anyone under 16 because they are concerned with the amount of sensuality (not sexuality mind you the two are different) that younger girls will be exposed to and worry that the gilrs may not be mature enough to be able to handle the sensual aspects.
However, there are many instructors who will teach younger girls and even some classes that are only for girls under 16. Many instructors, like myself, make exceptions for girls who show enough maturity and interest to allow them into our classes. Another way that we often allow it is if it is a mother and daughter learning together. Because the mother will hopefully keep her daughter from becoming a distraction and can offer some sort of sensorship should adut language come up that they do not find appropriate for their children (not that we tend to swear and talk about inappropriate things all the time but it's been known to come up and has been an issue).
My biggest problem is usually that the pace of an adult dance class is too slow for younger girls and they tend to get bored and eventually become a distraction. After that it's the amount of mid class drop out's due to their inability to immediately immitate shakira. This especially can be bothersome because other dancers could have signed up who would have seen the whole session though if spots were not completely full.

Answer 2

The costumes usually show the stomach which in many people's opinion, is too much skin to be shown by someone younger than 16 in America at least. And it might encourage younger kids to try dance moves that aren't appropriate. I love belly dancing though, it's really a beautiful type of dance,.

Answer 3

Probably because belly dancing is usually considered to be a very sensuous or sexual type of dance. Interestingly enough, originally, it was only performed by women FOR women, as a way to keep themselves entertained.

Answer 4

people under 16 dont need to be belly dancing.

Answer 5

you see belly dancing is fun and anybody can do it but children dont need to know how to.and usually there is alot of older people like in their twenty`s od thirty`s

Answer 6

Unfortunately, most people in the US think it's too dirty for young girls. Bellydancing is not about sex. Bellydancing or Arabic dance was taught to young girls until they were grown. I personally have seen classes taught to young girls and Girl Scout Troupes where the girls get to play with veils etc. Bellydancing can be taught without making it sexy. I have seen in person as well as on videotapes of young girls bellydancing in recitals, as well as folkloric dancing, dancing with props etc. and none of it was sexy. It was very cute.

Answer 7

even though i think its unfair their is plenty of reasons first of all its "wrong" for 14 15 year olds to be dancing like that but once your 16 its okay because just because 2nd of all they can consintrate better then younger people but i hate it though!

Answer 8

There's a sensuality to belly dancing.

Sensuality is not something that is usually encouraged in children.

Answer 9

u need to get down low an dirty ---some sexual moves involved (plus all the shaking might get a little kid to throw up or somethin)

Answer 10

I dunno, but you can find oodles of belly dancing videos online!!!