Do you consider dancing a component of social service?

Question

Do you consider dancing as one of the components of social services? If yes, how? If yes, to what extent that dancing provides a some kind of services to the people? What significance does it have on the life of individuals and communities?

Answer 1

Dancing, especially social dancing, is an important service to the community. This is particularly true in tribal communities wherein dance is not only a social activity but a ritual. Primitive societies (in contrast to modern societies) benefits more in dancing. Dance is an integral activity that binds people together. Moreover, as a ritual, it binds not only communities but also individuals. The ritual is a passage to self-knowledge and understanding. It is a medium towards self-awareness, fullfillment and solidarity. This cosmic dynamic of dancing is almost lost in modern societies. Fragmented by individualism and commercialism, dancing is relegated into a mere past-time to some people... and to some extent, non-essentials to modern people.

There are movements of people becoming aware of the wonders of dancing. Schools of dances are sprouting promoting a wholistic approach to dance. I look at it not only as a personal endeavor to get myself entertained and fit. I look at it as my own way of expressing myself. I have seen the power of dancing in my own ways of organizing people. Dancing is manifestly fun and entertaining. The latent effect of dancing in the psyche - both individually and collective - is tremendous. It builds solidarity... What more power can dance generate if organizers or social agents use dancing as a way to mobilize people?

Answer 2

When I read your question my mind immediately flashed on all the tribal dances of Asian and African countries. If a person has never seen these then it might be hard to understand how dancing could be considered a component of social services. But once you have seen these dances and their effect on a community, you quickly realize they are very, very important especially when they are part of the community's faith or religion as in the Sufi Dervish dancing,
Balinese Rejang temple dancing or many of the African tribal animist dances. These dances help to stengthen the communities beliefs, it's a matter of fellowship, but through art
and because it is through art and not through a lecture or words, it can reach the entire population from very young to very old, even very small children can learn to participate in it and it can become a rite of passage that all will be proud of. I could write an entire dissertation on it, but you should really write your own paper ok? ;-}

Answer 3

Of course. Dance is a discipline. You have to practice. It's also an expression of emotion and art.

To take a group of at-risk youth, get them off the corner, teach them a skill that's a positive outlet for emotions and a skill that they might not otherwise learn, or to give them some structure and discipline can have an incredible impact on someone's life.

If by learning a form of dance, a child learns discipline and carries that over into his/her schoolwork, that child will perform better in school. That child not hanging out on the corner will keep him/her from being in a situation where s/he can get into trouble. So while the impact may not be a direct one, the indirect impact and benefit can be far-reaching.