Pole dancing parties for eight year olds - starting a bit young?

[nemoni]

So, whilst trawling the internet for a suitable party venue for one of my children I was fairly surprised to see pole dancing parties listed under 'children's party venues in Manchester' on the local netmums page www.netmums.com/manchester/local/view/parties/venues/pole-dance-and-beauty-party

So, 'Caters for adults and children's parties from 8+' - pole dancing parties for eight year olds? Am I missing something??!! Or, am I being unreasonable in my assertions that this is a bit inappropriate and perhaps takes girl's make-over parties to a whole new level? Surprised to see it advertised as a children's party venue, even more surprised to it it on said website.

Over to you fellow mumsnetters...

Well having waded through this thread I'm shocked that people find this ok.

As for the advertiser coming on, yeah whatever. blah blah blah.

I am a mother of three with two girls aged 11 & 12. They would not be allowed near a party of this nature. I would judge any parent who thinks this is ok.

The connotations pole dancing has should be enough to signal pole dancing/'fitness' is not ok for kids.

This thread makes for grim reading. I'm pretty disgusted that some are ok with this.

I have just put as my Facebook status that he next person who tells me that pole dancing or burlesque are empowering dies. I can' believe that people are still trotting this one out.

Seeker

We'll have a whip around to bail you out!

I don't get the empowering bit at all.

Pinky, you seriously can't see a problem with adults watching your 8 year old daughter pole dancing? Maybe taking pictures on their mobile phone? The problem comes with association. You simply can't deny that pole dancing "has something to do with" stripping, that's where it came from - pole dancing clubs - that is the heritage of it. Do a google images search on pole dancing and see what pics come up. Recently I've noticed how lots of movies have their characters going into some bar and there just happens to be pole dancing in the background - they are always naked, they are always women, there is always a group of men leering, slipping them $50 etc. You can't wipe out that heritage by using the word fitness. And I haven't noticed gymnastics clubs installing poles. If adults are happy to get involved with it that's their decision ... but it's really bad judgement to provide it for children. And at the very least, it's a bad idea because a lot of parents just wouldn't let their children go to a party with pole dancing anyway.
scotch, totally agree, remember padded bras for tweens in primark? We are the generation of parents being bombarded with this rubbish, if we just stand by and let it all happen we only have ourselves to blame.

Seeker .

Its empowering for men perhaps as it makes real pole dancing/stripping look more acceptable and mainstream!

Yes highbrow, I will chip in for the bail fund!

Pole dancing isnt' excercise' its soley invented to titiilate men and display womens bodies. Theres plenty of gymnastics that teach the same skills far more approriately. Yes I therefore believe its unreasonable to offer poe dancing parties to eight year olds .

The owner is a woman called Nikita Law. I don't suggest googling her. Or her credentials or especially her Tumblr page.

Not someone I'd want to be hosting children's parties.

I think it is a totally inappropriate idea for a child's party no matter what age the child was. Would anyone on this thread put their hand up and say that they would actually hold such a party? Not whether or not you agree with them. Would you actually hold one for your own child?

Her email here:
[email protected]
Readily available on the Pole Perfection website.

Wow.

That's pretty grim and blows the other arguments out of the water DesiderataHollow, that pole dancing is for fitness (of course I had to google).

Growlithe not a chance I would allow my kids to go to this kind of party. I would also judge any parent that would host a party like this very harshly.
I'd see them as groomers.

I'm still pretty shocked at this person (Nikita Law) hosting kids parties, I would allow her near my kids.

Urgh! I googled her. Grim, fucking grim. No she should not be anywhere near children.

Oh my fuck, just looked at Nikita Law's twitter page. I feel slightly sick that this woman is doing children's pole dancing parties.

Betty if pole dancing is so innocent just all about the fitness, why would you not let one of your kids go to a pole dancing party?

PolePerfection

Thanks for coming on to the thread.

I have logged onto your website and find it an extremely sexualised site.

The logo of a woman's naked silhouette in a classic sexual pose (stilettoes, hands in hair, extremely pert bottom and aroused nipples) is not appropriate for children.

I am sorry to say that the wording on the home page ("I hope you can find everything you need. My Pole Dance and studio focuses on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction - I will do everything I can to meet your expectations.") sounds like a coded reference to prostitution. I am nt suggesting you engage in prostitution, but that's what it sounds like.

The images in the slideshow section show various open legged shots and in every case the clothes worn allow a perfect crotch shot, rather than, say th sam position when done with non fitting shorts or leggings.

That you are no longer even conscious of these sexualised references says a lot about the hyper sexualised world you are part of.

Good God. I knew farmers were having a hard time of it and hosting children's parties to supplement their income, but porn stars?

Grim is the word

You really wonder about these people

Betty if pole dancing is so innocent just all about the fitness, why would you not let one of your kids go to a pole dancing party?

*Scarlet, I have already said that if there was no make up, glamour, photo shoots etc etc and instructors were all qualified blah blah blah and it was set like a gym class then I would let DC go if they wanted. I would not let them go if it was just going to be a mini glamour fest.

it's a shame that some seedy companie sruin it for the reputable ones but sadly the lure of money makes people do silly things.

I have actually been to a pole dancing class with my sister. It was at my gym, and took place in the same studio in which I do body combat, pump, zumba etc, and was advertised as 'pole fitness'.

When we turned up everyone seemed quite normal (bar one woman in her fifties who was wearing teeny tiny red hotpants and matching push up bra top and a face full of make up) and the class was actually quite enjoyable and you felt like you were working quite hard.

However, at the end of the class came the 'cool down' that 'your partner will love'. And it basically consisted of a faux strip tease, including licking your finger and tracing it from your bum round to your vagina! Me and my sister were literally rolling around on the floor with laughter (fifty something scarlet lady was well into it though!).

Pole dancing is sexual and has deep roots in the sex industry. The outrage from some on here at the mere suggestion that pole dancing is seedy is hilarious!

Scarlet - I also went to a class that sounded like that one...I never went back.

Where I go now, thank god, we do none of that!

Wow

Just seen the twitter feed

Would not be letting any child of mine near these "Parties"

It always amuses me when people go on as if pole dancing is this wonderful, innocet tradition that has been subverted by the porn industry for their own evil ends and which we need to reclaim.....

Just for clarity I would not allow this person near my kids! Just re-read my post