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...

and not answer!

check out local.mumsnet.com/manchester-trafford/childrens-parties instead - there's a few age appropriate options there.

Yep, it is a good link Betty. There is so much that needs to be done to get away from the links to the sex industry though (the removal of his shirt accompanied by the whooping was a bit meh, given that you don't tend to get that reaction in many other sports...), but maybe one day, who knows (I won't hold my breath just yet!)

I know but sadly he needs to take his shirt off to grip and yeah, always gonna get the whooping!!!!

No, don't hold your breath just yet...or for a good long while :)

He seemed to manage perfectly well with the shirt on for a good few minutes Betty! It just seemed to reinforce (for me anyway..) that the pole=take your clothes off. He could just as easily have done that exercise in a t shirt and joggers, but tight jeans half way down his bum and tight white shirt (removed for the laydeez, natch) seemed to be the order of the day.

I know that was just one example though!

I dont know what you were watching but certainly some moves can be done with a shirt of whatever on and some need certain skin grips. Probably part of the showman ship too.....these polers work hard for their physique and like to show it off!!

I have watched music videos.

My DS hasn't watched any, because I really do not like the message they portray about women (which is really only something I noticed since becoming a mother)

I don't have a DD but if I did she would not be going to a pole dancing party, or wearing make up or wearing heels

She could do all of these things when she was an adult if she so chose. But not as a child because my job is to decide what is appropriate for my children. And this is not.

The point I was trying to make was that it still seemed to be associated with sex to a certain level, even in that innocuous environment - even though he was obviously very fit, strong, athletic and graceful, it still came down to getting his kit off to squealing from the audience. Which was a shame.

I think this thread is based on a misunderstanding. The company in the OP isn't offering parties for eight-year-olds, but for groups of eight aged twelve and up. Which admittedly IMO isn't much better. The graphics on the website are heavily sexualised.

tbf to Betty, she has said she agrees with the way these parties are being presented is not appropriate for children which was the crux of this thread

Caters for adults and children's parties from 8+

that reads age 8+

12 + no better still vile

and have no problem calling someone a fucking twat who thinks it is ok for children to be attending one of these parties

It's badly worded Freudian. When you click through to her actual site it's clear it's age 12 up.

does 12+ make it better ?

not to me, it doesn't

Perhaps it's to shown them another career option AF? At that age they need to think about these things.

Not.

either age is horrible but 12 year olds are more likely to know the connections of pole dancing with the sex industry

I find it quite disturbing that anyone would think this is fun for children

That's one of the most loathsome abominations I've heard in a very long time.

What the fuck is wrong with people?

I'm still reeling from the idea that a parent would encourage their daughter to research pole dancing so the child could decide whether to do it. That's worse than a misguided half wit letting a child attend a tawdry, sleazy, revolting party like this.

I consider myself very accepting of other people's choices and non-judgemental, but I wouldn't be able to bite my tongue over this. No way should kids be pole dancing. There is just no way it's appropriate.

If I had a choice between dying and saying whether 8 or 12 is more inappropriate for a pole dancing party, I would say 12.

I'd say 12 too

At 8 you would hope they would be totally innocent an unaware of the sexual connotations, but at 12 not so much and just becoming aware of their own sexuality.

A pole dance party would not be a good way to explore that

SirChenjin asked why an intelligent woman would consider going to pile fitness/dancing classes. I'm intelligent, a feminist, only wear comfortable shoes etc, and I'm considering taking lessons. I do a lot of bodyweight fitness training and am getting really into urban gymnastics (which is similar to parkour only more about strength than jumping) and once I get better there are some moves that I would like to learn that are only really taught in pole or circus skills classes, and there are no circus classes near me.

The children's parties are disturbing, though.

Never in a million years.

The whole core strength / exercise / upper body argument that is used for adults doesn't impress me either - the same can be said for advanced pilates, and it doesn't involve an activity that's aligned to the sex industry.

Vile vile vile.

i tried pilates and yoga...one big yawn