A recent article has ignited another fire storm surrounding pole dancing. I will post the article, some Facebook comments, then I will give you my two cents.
Outrage as girls as young as SEVEN are given pole dancing lessons - and pictures are posted on gym's Facebook page
Last updated at 7:51 PM on 26th July 2011
Girls as young as seven are being offered pole dancing lessons at a gym - and pictures of their moves have been posted on Facebook.
Parents and councillors have raised concerned for the safety of the girls after JLN Pole Fitness in Bolton, Greater Manchester, put the images online.
The instructor at the dance studio said the classes are fun, good exercise and do not teach their children anything erotic.
Kate Eaton, 33, from Harwood, takes her daughter Jen to the classes. She said: 'Jen had her seventh birthday party there with her friends. She loves it.
'I do not have a problem with it at all. It is nothing to do with lap dancing, it is gymnastics. It is not in the slightest bit sexual.
'I have put pictures of her on Facebook because she wants people to see what she can do. We wear short shorts and vest tops so we can grip the pole and they are not performing in front of anyone.
'If she was doing gymnastics in a leotard or at a swimming gala in a costume, anyone could be watching and people don't complain about that.'
Jess Leanne Norris, 18, who runs the classes, said: 'What I teach is pole fitness, nothing else. I have never received any complaints.
'There is nothing at all rude going on at JLN. I have had nothing but support, it is an art. We only put pictures on Facebook with parents' consent. It is nothing inappropriate.'
Concerns have been raised about the nature of the photographs being posted online.
Cllr Nick Peel, Executive Member for Children's Services, said: 'In general, parents and organisations need to be careful about publishing photos of children on the internet. It is unsafe and people trawl the internet looking for things like this.
'On the one hand, I don't want to jump to conclusions, but on the other, it is a dangerous world on the internet when it comes to children and people need to be aware of the situation they can be putting children into quite innocently.'
One mother, who asked not to be named, said: 'This concerns me greatly as I would not want my 13-year-old wandering round in hotpants and hanging upside down.
'They advertise as being aerobics/gymnastics with a pole but if you see the pictures, you will see this is not the case. These pictures are also being posted across Facebook and this just invites child grooming.'
A dance teacher, who also wished to remain anonymous, added: 'I think there has got to be a line that should not be crossed with children.
'Children want to do it and some parents will let them do it, but it could damage their developing bodies and that might not show now.'
Another pole dancing school Northern Pole Divas, in nearby Horwich, also offers pole dancing for children aged 14 and older.
Owner Carren Bell said: 'Parents come and sign consent forms. It is not a pole dancing class, it is a pole exercise class.
'It is a regulated environment, I am fully insured and CRB-checked. They are not being put at risk. But some parents and dance teachers feel the classes are "inappropriate".'
Julie Hilling, Labour MP for Bolton West and a former local authority youth worker, said: 'There’s already too much sexualisation of children in our society.
'Pole dancing does have a very poor reputation but I know there are people running classes round here that could change that.
'As long as it’s done purely as exercise and not sexualising children in any way then I don’t have a problem with it.
'But I think you have to be very careful, and I think I’d have to actually see it for myself to say more about it.'
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Comments from the Dr. Laura Berman show Facebook page:
Would you let your young son or daughter take pole dancing lessons?
www.dailymail.co.ukLeanne Norris, 18, (pictured) who runs the classes at JLN Pole Fitness in Bolton, Greater Manchester said that pole dancing is an 'art'.
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So, here's what I think:
I support this pole studio. I have actually suggested to Bel that she think about offering a pole/acrobatics class for teens in the studio (with their moms in attendance at all times, of course).
I do agree that pole dancing has a sensual undertone that is not generally appropriate for children (bikinis and six inch stilettos probably aren't what you want to see your 7 year old daughter wearing). I also recognize that in an era of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, little girls are growing up too fast...trying to wear make-up, low cut tops and high heels (and they love to emulate the women they admire). However, I feel like pole dancing is not too far off from gymnastics or other forms of exercise or dance for children. If taught in the appropriate way, it CAN be fine for children. Like I said above on the Facebook posting, if it was sold to boys as Chinese acrobatics, people most likely would not say a word. So I guess it is all in how you package it.
For myself, I mostly dance barefoot and enjoy putting on wigs, tutus, playing dress up, acting silly and having fun. Although I can and have danced sensually and sexually. I have also danced in ways I could absolutely show my friends' younger daughters without embarrassment or concern. It comes down to what your beliefs are and how you raise your own child. If you don't think it's appropriate for your daughter, that is fine but don't push your beliefs on everyone else.
How do you feel about it?
