My Son As A Ballerina?

Question

My 5-year old son wants to take ballet dancing with his sister. I tried to steer him towards the tap/jazz end of the class, but he insists he wants to be a ballerina. I myself have no problems with this, but am still concerned. At some point, someone is going to tease him and I'm guessing it will probably even be his own Grandfather. As much as I want him to follow his dream, I also don't want him to be totally crushed and to have to endure being ridiculed. What do I do??

Answer 1

I certainly understand your want to protect your son from ridicule, especially from his own grandfather but I think you should definitely let him dance. Otherwise, I believe you would be sending him the message that you should base your behavior on how others will treat you. Believe me, it takes a courageous person to be a good man these days, and I am sure that is what you want your son to be. For example, think Jr. High: your son is with a bunch of his buddies and they start making fun of another classmate. Or High School: these same buds want to get plastered. I think in both of these situations you would want your son to act on his own desires, morality, thoughts and not based on whether the guys will make fun of him or not. I know it seems like a large step from doing ballet to getting drunk but my point is instilling in him now the ideals you want him to have for the rest of his life.
As for the grandfather making fun of him, this is a problem with the grandfather not with your son and I think you or your spouse (depending on who's father it is) should talk with him and nip it in the bud before it becomes a problem. Good luck!

Answer 2

Support him in his dreams. Yes, he may get teased a little, but hey, most kids these days get teased for something, and often it is character building. That's not saying that it's right, I'm just saying that there's no reason to stifle his dreams just because of other people's narrowmindedness, or childish cruelty. Let him try it out, there's every chance that he may not like to continue on with it. There's also every chance that you may have the next Sir Robert Helpmann or Rudolph Nureyev on your hands.

Ballet dancers have to be extremely strong and fit, so it's not as if he's chosen a weak discipline. Did you know that Jean Claude Van Damme studied ballet for five years as a teenager? He says that it is an extremely difficult and arduous sport, and if you can endure a workout in ballet, you can endure anything.

p.s a male ballet dancer is not a ballerina, they are a "male ballet dancer" or a "danseur". Ballerina is the feminine.

Answer 3

That's a tough one... I dunno! I have a son and he's always been into the contact sports but I suppose if he TRULY wanted to be a ballerina, I'd have to accept that and allow him to do what makes him happy. If we start at the young age of five teaching him it's okay to not follow your dreams just because other people think it's not the "norm" he will go on believing that throughout his life. As for your son being gay, I wouldn't pay any attention to people who say that... he's ONLY five!!! Chances are if you let him do ballet this year by the time he's 7 or 8 he's going to be asking you what in the world you were thinking letting him do that!!! Lol! But if that's what he wants to do, maybe you should allow him to try it!? If you try making him into somebody he's not, he's not going to be happy...

Answer 4

I say let him do it...If he doesn't like it...he will ask to stop. I danced all of my life and let me tell you...the boys in class ended up being the smart ones...surrounded by girls all day long ;) LOL

At this point he is ONLY 5 and will probably try lots of different hobbies before finding his favorites. Just encourage him and have a word with his Grandfather before he starts. He will get teased about things at some point in life...we all do, but show him to try and do what you want instead of listening to silly people. Good luck ;)

Answer 5

I think people who tease boy ballerinas are very ignorant

let your son go ahead and learn ballet and when ignorant poeple tease him remind them that you need to be an athlete with a sportsmans dedication (no different to being a football player) in order to be a great ballerina.

It takes incredible physical agility and strength to be any kind of dancer and he is just a little boy who wants to try.

He may get tired of it himself when he gets older and realises just how much dedication is needed but for now encourage him and let him enjoy ballet.

I would also suggest you watch the movie Billy elliot and tell other family members to watch it too ...also remind them of a guy called Baryshnikov

Answer 6

Have you seen Billy Elliott the film!Id say follow your dreams.I wish my son would take an intrest in any of this,we went to a dance class once and he screamed the place down.Hes just turned 4,so may be we ll try when hes a bit more ready.Grandad should be more supportive of your son,explain that he just wants to try a lesson to see which kind of dance class he likes and then if he decides ballet,it can make him stronger and better in other athletic sports ie rugby.

Answer 7

I have seen boys participate in cheerleading and the girls hang all over them. Smart boys :) There are some beautiful ballets like the Nutcracker and so forth and without men in them it would not be the same. I think it's fine. If people are going to tease you they can do it over anything and they are not his or your true friends. If he grows up to be a successful dancer, he will have his mom to thank.
I personally think he is at an age where he idolizes his sister and that he wants to be like her and so that is why he wants to be in dance. Let him. They can spend time together and if he's talented in this area, it can't hurt.

Answer 8

Let him enjoy himself in the class! He's only 5, chances are he'll decide that he doesn't want to persue a career in ballet. If he doesn't, oh well! As long as he's happy in what he's doing, you're doing your job right! (where would all the female ballerinas be without that hunk to catch them?) Oh, one quick fact: a lot of football players and sports figures take ballet. It helps in a lot of athletic aspects. Maybe he'll play for the NFL. Good luck!

Answer 9

Let him do it. It creates awesome leg strength and helps his balance. Did you know that some football players take ballet to help in their training? He may get a little bit of ridicule, but kids will find any reason to tease kids, you son is going to endure it at some point anyways. Let him be who he wants to be, do what he wants to do, it will boost his self-esteem, which will in turn help him endure that ridicule with his head held high!

Answer 10

hi this is no problem at all let him do it my son is 4 years old and i keep saying hes goin to be a ballerina because he walks on his tiptoes his dad used when he was young actually he still does a little bit lol, i would let him do what he wants at least hes not out getting into trouble he might stick with it or he might not just try it see what happens he mite be another billy elliot in the making