Why Young Boys Should Dance

As a mother of a nine year old son and a former Ballet dance student, I’ve always witness the lack of participation of boys in dance, particularly in Ballet. From a young age, boys are mainly enrolled into sports as a way to fuel their energy, while girls tend to start dance lessons. However, in the last fifteen years, I have observed an enormous participation of young girls in sports as well as a rapidly growing acceptance of women’s sports.

While there has been a considerable immersion of young girls into sports, there has not been the same progress with young boys into the dance arena. Probably, the main reason behind it is the perception that it’s an activity exclusively for girls. But what most people don’t know is that dancing can be as physically and mentally challenging as any sports. So let me fill you in on the many benefits of dance for boys. After reading this, you will realize that young boys are missing out on valuable skills!.

Some of the benefits of dance for boys are:

• Dance is a safe and constructive way to express their emotions: Dance doesn’t have the dangers of injuries resulting from body contact present in most sports. At the same time, it’s a constructive way of express their feelings and as an example just watch the movie Billy Elliott!.
• It teaches them control of their body: Dancing offers young boys the opportunity to be aware of their bodies and to multi task using their brains and body parts.
• Dance makes them more confident and improves their self-esteem: As young boys learn to know their own body, they become more confident and feel better about themselves.
• It teaches them respect: Dancing involves courtesy and consideration towards other people.
• Dance has multiple health benefits: Dance has many health benefits, such as improving body image, attentiveness, communication skills, as well as reduction of stress, fear and anxiety.
• It’s a nonthreating way to connect with girls in the teenage years.
• Dance provides them with a social advantage: A teenage boy who is a confident dancer has a social advantage over his less confident and able peers.

Dance can bring multiple benefits for young boys and while they may not see it, dance provides them with skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. As a dance expert says "Boys quickly learn that a lad who knows how to dance can get any girl in the room onto the dance floor!".

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for my next weekly blog,

 Vanessa

Here is a link to my other blog: http://mypassionfordancing.blogspot.com/

Sources:

• Susan, N. (April 6, 2008). Encouraging Boys to Dance. Retrieved: May 21, 2015. From: http://www.danceadvantage.net/encouraging-boys-to-dance/
• Edgerly, S. (2009). Boys and Dance - Why All Boys Should Be Taught to Dance. Retrieved: May 21, 2015. From: http://ezinearticles.com/?Boys-and-Dance---Why-All-Boys-Should-Be-Taught-to-Dance&id=3205320