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...

You'd be happy to see a semi naked woman using it to pole dance on in your local park, then Joholliman?

There will always be a seedy side to pole and yes there are some seedy pole dance studions. But there can be some good reputable ones too..it really depends what you want to get out of it. I have tried to get my head round what people have said but I still fail to see how me attending a fitness class (that happens to use a pole) has any bearing on the sex industry.

I personally like it for the confidence, the strength and the boost it gives me. A lot of people who do pole gravitate onto silks and aerial hoop. I am currently doing aerial hoop at the moment which is also brill and maybe people find that more acceptable.....no idea! People may say why not do gymnastics.....or kung fu?? In short - I don't want to. Pole is fun and thank god we have the freedom of choice.

I will read that article thanks Sir but it won't change my mind, same as you won't change yours.

I don't expect you to change your mind Betty! The article does explain how pole dancing has evolved to become aligned with the sex industry in the west, which I found interesting.

As I said earlier, if a grown woman (or man...) chooses pole dancing over any other forms of fitness despite it's links to the industry, then that's one thing. Parties for children? Totally different.

Parties for children? Totally different - yep, on that we do agree...esp one where they end up caked in make up and eyelashes!

Definitely!! What's wrong with a spot of pass the parcel and a bit of cake wrapped in kitchen paper, that's what I'd like to know [old gimmer emoticon]

Um, if it's merely a fitness class, why is it being sold in a package with manicure, make up and photoshoot?

I can't remember that lot being chucked in with DS's football party.

I didn't know make-up parties fro children existed until this thread. I'm at that alone, let alone pole dancing for kids.

my DD is about to turn 8 and has rapidly grown up in the past 4-5 weeks it's disturbing for me to watch as her mother, her language is changing, how she moves is changing she is growing up but i sincerely doubt a day will ever come when she gets to attend a pole dancing party.

I'm not saying these party are a good idea I wouldn't book one for my daughter but its out there and if she were invited to one I wouldn't just say no I along with her would look into it find out about the class the teacher ect then if she did still want to go I would go with her. I'm not going to choose to rub this in her face but girls do grow up fast and it's scary but I will be side by side with my daughter as she grows and be open to talk to her about anything she wants.

How vile. What the effing eff is wrong with us all?

I agree with BettySwallocks post upthread, I found polefitness classes great for the body confidence issues I've had for alot of my life.

Women and men all shapes and size take part.

Oh, purhlease.

How many men per class?

I bet the men are there to perv on the women.

Sad as fuck.

I have been unable to walk since reading that as my judgey pants are pulled up so high they are cutting off my circulation :(

A few sessions on the pole will soon have that sorted Catgirl

*I bet the men are there to perv on the women.

Sad as fuck.*

Daisy - you must know some lovely men.....classy as fuck hey!

Come on then. How many men in your pole dancing fitness class?

Seeker - me and my friend have a session with just us two as we get to learn more and it's more intense.

Seriously, if a man wants to perv it will be cheaper for him to go to a club and buy a coke than it would be for him to attend a proper class. Plus, they aint pretty or sexy I can assure you!

I don't think the men are there to "perve"

I just don't think there are any men there at all.

and this no man thing.....I used to run my own aerobics class, no men came to that........aerobics, zumba, hbt, woman mainly go, never see men at these classes.

www.polepeople.co.uk/pole-dancing-classes-men.php

pole dance classes aimed at men and from the photos there is plenty on men who do it

According to Pinky women AND men take part though...so where are the menz then??!

Sir - men do take part.

How many as a rough percentage, would you say?

Sir - I really have no idea. At the last comp I went to (not competing, my instructor was) there were 2 men performing and both were amazing.

Have a look at this:-

www.polemen.com

Is a good link.

I should imagine the percentage is pretty small but so is the percentage of men doing lots of mainstream exercise classes. Pole is getting more popular across the board though, my instructor has just had to get herself a new bigger studio to keep up with demand and so I imagine more women and men are taking it up.

The class I went to was about 1/3 men answer I can assure you they certainly were not perving. They were more interested in the class.

I know a couple of male pole teachers too one of them is gay, I seriously doubt his perving credentials.