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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Girls going en pointe too young?

61 replies

endedans · 27/08/2017 01:47

Am I right in thinking that lately some children seem to be going on pointe too early?

Historically (I'm thinking early 20th century) you used to see pictures of very young girls en pointe. But I wonder if we've gone backwards a little as the same thing seems to be happening more and more now; many children of 10 years, which is debatably ok, but also many of 8 years and younger. Instagram and other social media are prime examples.

Sorry, not the most exciting AIBU.

I've only mentioned girls as I know of few male dancers who dance/ have danced en pointe, and they're very much older.

OP posts:

alletik · 27/08/2017 02:07

My daughter dances, she's almost 11 and she doesn't know anyone her age (at her dance school or at other ones) who are en pointe at 11. Round here, most seem to start about 12-13. 11 is the absolute youngest I have heard of, and even then they were nearly 12.

elliejjtiny · 27/08/2017 02:10

When I was doing ballet you had to be at least 12 to dance en pointe and doing the pre elementary exam. This was about 20 years ago (now I feel old!)

NikiBabe · 27/08/2017 02:12

Are you sure the parents havent just bought pointe shoes and taken photos for instagram but they arent actually dancing on them?

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 27/08/2017 02:13

My ballet teacher was very strict about this, no earlier than 13 for pointe shoes. This was in the 90s so maybe times have changed, but she was very old and used to dance professionally for the Royal Ballet before becoming a teacher so knew her stuff.

bluetongue · 27/08/2017 02:32

Pretty sure it was 13 when I did ballet. Made it far enough to get the pointe shoes and quit not long after

manicinsomniac · 27/08/2017 02:34

8?? Are you sure. That's definitely not on. Nor is 10 really.

My eldest started at 12. She started at a residential dance/theatre school last Sept at 13 and not all the girls were using point shoes at the start of the year (it's not a specific ballet school though). My 10 year old is nowhere near ready. I think she'll be at least 13 before she is.

Personally. I haven't seen any evidence of a trend of very young girls en pointe.

HiJenny35 · 27/08/2017 05:28

13 here.
8 sounds very odd

Scarzo · 27/08/2017 05:43

It's definitely a thing. I even read an article about the issue recently. I was sceptical when dd2, 7, said that a girl in her class at school dances on her toes. Now it seems more believable.

I get really annoyed in dd2's ballet class when the focus seems to just be getting your legs as high as possible, or forcing the splits without any regard for correct positioning and turn out. We've tried a couple of dance schools in our area and they all seem to be the same.

kmc1111 · 27/08/2017 05:46

Some girls start around 10-11 if they're already very, very serious about ballet and are dancing a lot.

But if we're just talking about photos and short clips on social media, I'd guess people have bought the shoes just to take that quick picture or video.

I didn't start dancing properly en pointe til I was almost 12, but I could do it for a quick photo from about 8. A few seconds here and there isn't a problem

Original poster

endedans · 27/08/2017 06:05

Ah, you've seen it Scarzo.

Yes, these include girls actually dancing en pointe, or in classes, not just for photo stills (I've seen children as young as four years doing that). Their technique seems to be very advanced, granted, but it would still seem ill advised (for the usual reasons, involving young developing feet).

I was prompted to post and ask because (mentioning no names, or links, that wouldn't be fair) I've noticed it beginning to crop up a little more in the UK.

OP posts:

Original poster

endedans · 27/08/2017 06:10

I think think I was 11 (nearly 12). My elder child similar age.

OP posts:

jay55 · 27/08/2017 06:19

Had to be 12 when I was young but there were a few exceptions.
Shoe fitters used to be quite strict too not just teachers.

Cailleach666 · 27/08/2017 06:22

Parents are often the pushy ones.
My DD dances pointe, 13 is the earliest her dance teacher will consider it and then it is done on a pupil by pupil basis. Many factors are considered.
They are crazy shoes and I despise them, despite the fact I pay for a new pair every 8 weeks.

Original poster

endedans · 27/08/2017 06:52

I've just looked and there are a few articles. Here's one involving the RAD, amongst others.

www.thestage.co.uk/news/2016/royal-academy-dance-alumni-warn-parents-en-pointe-young-children/

OP posts:

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 27/08/2017 06:59

At 8? Proper dancing in class en pointe? Bloody hell, I'm glad we seem to have escaped that trend round here. I am no expert in dance but there is no way that would be allowed at my daughters' dance school thankfully.

I'm sure you can buy the shoes online or pretend they are for someone else of course but I also think the local dance shops wouldn't purposely sell to that age group.

In fact, there was a sign up in the last dance shop I was in explaining their rules for selling pointe shoes.

Loopsdefruits · 27/08/2017 07:03

This always really upsets me :( think it comes from the US and their penchant for Dolly Dinkle dance schools, where it's all about 'tricks' and competitions and acro. Serious dance schools don't start pointe until much later, and the pure ballet competitions either do, or should, have rules about pointe in pieces used. I think 11 is the absolute earliest, ideally 12. We went to an insight day at White Lodge and the teacher said the girls begin pointe as soon as Freed deliver the shoes...but I doubt that's the whole story.

Believeitornot · 27/08/2017 07:07

This thread has reminded me why I won't let my dd do ballet. She's nearly 6 and desperate too and has shown an aptitude for dancing as has attended other classes - but there's just no way!

What's wrong with these teachers?

Cailleach666 · 27/08/2017 07:11

Believeitornot

Ballet is a fantastic pursuit for kids- it's a shame your views are restricting your DDs desires.
Most kids who start ballet will never reach the pointe stage.

Gizlotsmum · 27/08/2017 07:12

At least 13 at my daughters school. Then they start on Demi pointes first. Have to be properly fitted too

Antoniacaenis · 27/08/2017 07:32

Sadly I don't think this is a new thing. My Dsis did ballet for years and did do pointe work in her teens - remember her using surgical spirit on her toes and washing the blood out of her ballet tights. However I also remember a girl at school (who went to the other ballet school in town) doing a 'show' in assembly en pointe - and she must have been 9. I remember telling my Dsis how much better she was! But that would have been early 80s.

Believeitornot · 27/08/2017 07:34

@Cailleach666

My dd can peruse other things instead! She loves gymnastics as well so is doing that.

Believeitornot · 27/08/2017 07:34

*persue not peruse

Cailleach666 · 27/08/2017 07:36

Believeitornot fine, but I find it a little sad that you are restricting her desires. You said she was "desperate" to do ballet.

I don't understand why you want to limit that.

ForalltheSaints · 27/08/2017 07:38

YANBU. Based on my memory of my sister's ballet training.

Cailleach666 · 27/08/2017 07:42

ForalltheSaints what happened to your sister?

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