Why dont boys do ballet?

Question

My son has done ballet now for 3 yrs and totally loves it but he hates the fact he is the only boy in his school that does ballet. Why havent we after all these years learnt that its ok for a boy to dance.
Its a real shame you should see how happy it makes him everyweek to go to his lesson.

I think some people here didnt read the question.
He loves ballet
Iam not complaining about the amount of boys at the studio its just there is no one from his school that does it. I just wanted to comment on the lack of boys that do it.

Answer 1

dont listen to the idiot who thinks ballet is for girls. he probably has never seen a dance performance or class ever in his life. im glad your son enjoys ballet. maybe you could convince his best friend to try taking class with him. or suggest a field trip for his class to go see a ballet performance and see if any other boy wants to try it. depending on how old you son is, you may want to take him to audition to a really good summer ballet intensive, like School of American Ballet or North Carolina School of the Arts. if he gets out into the real dance world, he'll see a bunch more guys and maybe perhaps not hate the fact that he's the only boy in his dance school. my brother was the only boy in our dance school a few years ago and he didn't like it so much either. he still dances and now we are in a studio with several men and boys. the last thing i have to say is to show him this video called Born to Be Wild, a dance video that is about the four leading men in American Ballet Theatre. It's a great video and you can see some amazing stuff in that movie. you can get it online at www.discountdance .com

I hope your son stays in ballet. :o)

Answer 2

My son started taking dance class at age 3, and continued until this last year when we moved and were unable to afford it. He has done ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics, and he has always enjoyed it. He did a boys tap/jazz class which helped him realize he was not the only boy, despite always being the only boy in his classes for years. There were about 8 other boys in his class, but they ranged from age 4-8 and he was 6, and they all ended up taking classes either in different days, times or levels. I have heard other mothers say that they wanted to put their sons in, but the dad's said "no". Some used my son, and the fact that dance had helped him improve his coordination for soccer and other sports, to "over-ride" their husband's word. I can empathize with how you feel, and have often asked "What's so wrong with a boy who can dance? When he gets older and starts dating, he'll have a greater advantage over the boys who never learned!" I point out to people that my son, being the only boy, gets to hang with all the girls, and one time he ended up with some pretty twins on his lap, which is hilarious! While it would be nice if more people would stop being so ridiculous (boys were OFTEN taught to dance in years passed as a sign of good breeding and manners), just remind your son if he ever asks why he's the only boy, that he's the only one who's going to come out on top. He'll have a great skill that he enjoys and helps him stay healthy, he'll have a better respect for women, and he has fun, which is all that really matters. If he really has a problem being the only boy, try one of these: Have him bring a video to school, or suggest his class watch a performance - any dance will work. Let other boys see the dancing, especially in ballet where there are lifts and muscle and strength are more apparent. Then maybe suggest that any child who wants to try it contact the studio your son uses. You could see if your studio offers first year free to boys (which my son's did to try and encourage more parents to stick their sons in). For those that come from really close-minded homes, have athletes from the local high school tell how they had to take dance classes to improve their performance (which is a classic technique). If there is a local performing group, or a professional company near you, ask if they would be willing to have someone talk to the students, both male and female. Have them break the stereotypes by answering the kids questions. At the next parent night at his school, ask the school if you could have a table or booth set-up to promote your studio or dancing for boys in general. Make sure you can answer questions and direct the parents to the right source if you can't, and see if your studio would like to offer some help. More males students is twice as good for them. Bottom line, if he enjoys dancing, keep encouraging him. Let him make up his own mind about the rest. A love for dance never really fades away.

Answer 3

I think you know the answer to this - it is not considered "popular". If you wanted to do more then just comment on this, you might be wondering how can you change it? Possibly, by showing other children at your son's school that ballet is not boring or lame. Possibly by casually mentioning it to other parents that your son is getting a lot out of those classes in terms of fitness and broader education.

I don't agree with people who say "find another studio". It is not the studio's fault; good studio is hard to find; I don't think it's a good idea to jump from studio to studio unless there is definitely a better opportunity for learning.

Answer 4

Your sister is right, there are guy's ballet tights. The girls tights are thinner and you can see through them some, but the guy's tights are thick so they're solid black or white. For a tryout you probably don't need to wear any tights at all, maybe just wear some spandex shorts like many athletes wear. If you do need to wear tights, your sister's should be ok for a tryout, but if you end up taking classes you should get men's tights. You'll also need to get a dance belt to wear under them.

Answer 5

Yes, it is a shame, and also an injustice as this is the reason why for a guy is muuuuuch easier than for a girl to emerge and be successful in this field. No much competion... Anyway, let him grow up and he will soon appreciate to be the only boy among so many girls...

If I'll ever have a son, I'll send him straight to ballet classes! You also learn discipline...

Answer 6

I think most people consider male dancers as being homosexual, when really, most are far from. I know guys that I ahve done ballet for football and have loved it! They ended up quitting football for ballet. It's a great activity and I wish people wouldn't associate it with homosexual men and girly girls. Plus, all of the male dancers get all the girls. So you might want to watch your son VERY VERY closely...

Answer 7

Well, for one ballet is for girls and two I would quit even before I got started. No tights won't hurt me just make me feel like a damn sissy girl and I am not a girl and don't want to be any ones sissy. three I would never allow any of boys to take ballet and should they decide too they are on their own and what ever happens, happens!

Answer 8

thats exactly whats going on with me. im the only boy in the whole dance studio. i take every class. most boys don't take ballet because they know it as a girl thing, but thats not true. if you can accomplish ballet it can help when yor do tap, jazz, hip-hop, or really anything.

Answer 9

My daughter's ballet class has several boys. Most of them started because the football coach made them sign up (to learn to control their movements and be lighter on their feet), however, some of them are really good and stayed with it because they enjoy it.

Maybe he should find a new dance studio if he wants to be in the class with more boys.

Answer 10

well, like u said, most people haven't realized that it's ok for boys to dance. and that is a shame, because guy dancers usually have the best jumps and are in high demand.