To think I'm not the worst mum in the world because I wouldn't let my 9rd old try 'pole fitness'

[3stripesandout]

Community open day, lots of stalls, games, police/fire/army etc. and right in the middle the local pole fitness club with a pole up and 3 women taking terms demonstrating pole moves.

Kids and mums queuing up to have a go, DD wanted to and I said no.....cue moaning and stamping about me being the worst mummy EVER.

AIBU?

Yanbu, wtf how inappropriate for women to do this in public let along children.

YANBU.

I'm still slightly perturbed about the whole 'pole fitness' thing overall tbh.

YANBU. I've done this once as part of a hen do, so am prob a hypocrite, but the whole thing is pretty icky tbh.

YANBU. Tell her why not. My 10 year old DD knows ALL about advertising, women's images and why it's not sensible to believe every photograph you see is for real...I've shown her what photoshop can do and explained why objectifying women and girls is bad...AND how it's done.

I'm trying to put "there a million ways to get fit that don't involve rubbing your sweaty crotch up a phallic object" into 9yr old terms

YANBU. That's totally inappropriate for a family day out.

YANBU. I wouldn't let DNs do belly dancing either if there was a tutorial.

I don't think either dance or fitness regime is disgusting, but they are both definitely "you choose that one when you're older".

Yanbu, completely inappropriate.
Pole fitness is bullshit

It's the whole push to take the pole out of a sleazy strip club and into the public domain to make it normal which is disturbing. It was a poor judgement call on behalf of the organisers to have allowed the pole dancers a slot imo.

They were there as part of the local gym.

It's difficult because a very good friend of mine is a adult pole dancer/lap dancer as a job! I don't want to colour her in DDs mind but tbh I find that more appropriate being that it's in a private adult setting.

I have friends who do pole fitness - most of the time it's not remotely rude-looking, more about turning upside-down than rubbing your crotch against anything. TBH with the advanced routines I've seen my response is less 'that's sexy' and more 'WTF she needs a crash helmet'. So, while YANBU not to let your young child do anything you feel awkward about, it's no more intrinsically mucky than wearing costumes or having a pet snake, to take a couple of other things strippers sometimes do. (BTW I would not allow a snake in my home, so if that situation arises I may be outdoing you at meanness )

Wouldn't bother me in the least, but I'm all for encouraging teen girls and young women to keep fit by any subterfuge necessary. If it's pole dancing, street dancing or wearing daft skimpy costumes who cares.

Good old fashioned aerobics in tight Lycra wasn't exactly descent.

All this stopping preteens, teens and young women found any form of exercise that appeals to their feminine side, allows them to dress in pretty costumes and have fun it's getting too close to enforced modesty and the mind set that leads to victim blaming for my liking.

I've done pole fitness and I agree with quacks, it's not all about shaking your ass and grinding your crotch down the pole. It's about increasing your core strengt and is actually a really good form of exercise.

With that being said I still feel that targeting that at young children is still a little inappropriate. Probably due to the stigma attached more than anything else.

YUCK. Yanbu.

I probably used to feel the same as you op before taking a pole class during a hen do. I was so impressed by the amazing strength, fitness and skill involved in the moves. The instructor was simply awesome (and ex gymnast). Most if it did not appear to be 'erotic' or sleazy in the slightest.

YANBU! There is NO WAY my 9 year old would be doing that either!

My friend does pole fitness. Her core strength, muscle tone, suppleness and fitness are amazing because of it. Pole fitness and porn fitness are 2 different things. My friend doesn't do it to an audience and she doesn't do it turn sad men on - she does it because she enjoys pushing her body to the limit in the privacy of the classes she attends and in her own home.

Shame porn has to ruin things.

Unless they were shaking their booties and grinding the pole seductively I dont see the problem.
Pole requires a lot of body strength.

Have you ever seen someone sitting at the bottom of the pole and lift there body into a vertical position upside down position?

I have a seen beautiful pole dance performances nothing remotely seedy.

Without these gyms trying to do this the stigma will always be there.

Yanbu to say no to your dc as you are her mum so your rules.

In the context of a fitness class a pole, is just a much easier piece of apparatus to set up than a rope or the ribbons circuses often use. It allows a variety of moves in a confined space, which has a definite appeal given DD2 practicing back walkovers in our very small living room.

In the context of a fitness class a pole, is just a much easier piece of apparatus to set up than a rope or the ribbons circuses often use. It allows a variety of moves in a confined space, which has a definite appeal given DD2 practicing back walkovers in our very small living room.

YABU. Its not pole-dancing pole

If it was a community open day I hardly think it was Soddom and Gommora. (sp?) so I would have probably just let my DD have a go even if I don't really approve of this pole dancing lark.

Yanbu, I understand why adults etc might enjoy it and think it is non-sexual I wouldnt have my children do it, but then I wouldnt let them cheerlead either.

My friend is a pole fitness instructor. She has said many times that she wished she was qualified to teach children because she thinks my DD would be excellent due to her obvious core and upper body strength.

My friend can lift herself turning completely upside down with only one hand. The strength required to do so is unbelievable. She also does a head stand from press up position with completely straight legs, her stomach muscles are to die for, I would kill for her core.

I wouldn't have a problem with it in the slightest.

YANBU. Saw a little girl on the tube the other day with some very professional moves, she was about seven :(
Completely unaware of the connotations.