would you let your little girl learn pole dancing??

[pinkkitty]

I'm aware I'm probably opening a can of worms with this post, but still...

There's an article in a magazine i read today about a mother who lets her 7 year old Daughter learn pole dancing. In the town where she lives they run a class calle "Pole Brats" teaching kids from 6-17 how to do pole dancing. The woman who runs the group says there's nothing sexual about it, and she blames strip clubs for placing a stigma on pole dancing, and that those kind of clubs shouldn't exist. She insists its just a fun way for kids to get fit.

The article in question carries a picture of the 7 year old, admittedly dressed in respectable pink shorts and a vest top, with the pole between her legs in a pose that would be considered quite seedy if it were an adult woman in skimpy shorts.

SO my question is this, do you think its a bad idea for little girls to do pole dancing - does it promote paedophilia, as some people have suggested, or is it really just harmless fun?

[Pippa68]

I am in the middle here..first of all I can't see how paedophilia can be 'promoted'. I have never seen kids wearing make up as being a turn-on for paedophiles, as I think that paedophiles are sexually attracted to children..not children dressed as or pretending to be adults.

I do think that a seven year old pole dancing is inappropriate, simply because it was invented for adult entertainment..on the other hand so was belly dancing, and many children have those dancing lessons.

I hope you can all see where I am going with this. I am finding it hard to express myself today!

[smudge]

Stewey, I for one, do not have a problem with my imagination! I just happen to think that pole dancing is inappropriate for little girls!

I have two daughters & three granddaughters & they have all in turn, enjoyed all sorts of activities, including dancing, but not 'up & down' a greasy pole - legs astride!

[pinkkitty]

The main picture of the little girl in the magazine shows her in a pose i have seen countless adult pole dancers in pictures do. She has her legs wide apart and is gripping the pole with her feet and hands, now, as i said, she's got shorts on, but the sight of a 7 year old with her legs apart and a big pole between them is - to me - more than distateful. In another picture, her instructor is has the little girl sat on her shoulders while she holds her legs apart, In fact, her underwear is visible, because her shorts have ridden up. That's the nearest I've come to seeing a child pole dancing and I wouldn't care to see anything further.

I'm not the kind of hysterical woman who imagines Paedophiles are lurking behind every bush. Of course they aren't, but they are out there and I think teaching youngsters like the girl in the article to do what most people consider to be an Adult Only form of entertainment when they should be out there riding their bikes and playing with their Barbie dolls is just asking for trouble.

[smudge]

I totally agree with you pinkkitty.

[pixiepie]

cant say id be happy if my daughter decided to do that at 18 yrs let alone 6 like she is now. She does ballet tap and swimming to keep healthy. Pole dancing has quite a seedy reputation and is meant to be sexual so really dont think it should be taught to kids. Childhood is to short these days

[stewey]

Pinkkitty, you certainly did start an interesting thread which contained numerous interesting opinions. One thing I noticed was that it did not degenerate into name-calling and foul language which is sort of unusual for B&S these days!

[smudge]

I agree stewey - but then that all depends who participates in the threads!

There's absolutely no need for people to get too personal or nasty - that only shows immaturity!

[pinkkitty]

yes and we can all agree to disagree. I did say i knew i was opening a can of worms when i started the thread! I just wanted to see what people thought, and now i know, and I've had some really interesting and thought provoking replies. My original opinion still stands, however, i wholeheartedly believe its not an appropriate thing for such a young child.

[tracymort]

Completely inappropriate in my opinion. Girls grow up too fast as it is.
Also I think it's not exactly the best way to start introducing the idea of sexuality by showing them a rather tacky (all though I'm sure it's alot of fun for grown ups and I have nothing against it for adults) side to it before the idea of a loving relationship, respect and a more subtle and ladylike side to sexuality.

[chompu]

I think that the majority on here have given an opinion of inappropriate which I would go along with. I would like to add a point other than the moral aspect.
One poster in support said she experienced a very stenuous workout. I know that doctors and qualified sport coaches are always very concerned about the amount and type of physical activity undertaken by children. This is due to the strain and damage, sometimes permanent, that can be placed on developing muscles and ligaments. I wonder how qualified these pole dance teachers are regarding the developement of a childs body and what constitutes appropiate exercise.

[pinkkitty]

That's a good point, actually, I hadn't thought of it like that.

The article says the woman who runs the classes is a dance teacher. Presumably she has some knowledge of children's exercise abilities.

[andy-hughes]

Pippa68 - I have to disagree with your comment about paedophiles not being attracted to children wearing makeup and 'pretending to be adults'.

The whole point of a paedophlic obsessions is the notion that children are sexual beings who are aware of their sexual attraction, and enjoy it. To present a child in make-up, making her look like an 'adult' simply reinforces this perception - the child is wearing makeup to confirm her sexuality, and to attract male attention.

It's not logial, but that is the perception - mkakle-up and 'pole dancing' simply reinforce it.

[Pippa68]

Thanks for your view andy.

I used to think that children wearing make up was paedophile heaven until I saw a programme on TV about the subject. A psychologist was explaining the same theory I posted, and several others confirmed that the paedophiles they had worked with were not aroused by children dressed as adults.

I assume this wouldn't mean that every paedophile has the same tastes ~ after all everyone is attracted to one thing or another BUT it was interesting none the less.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks for your response Pippa - as always i am happy to accede to professional opinion. An interesting debate, I'm sure you'll agree.