Boys in ballet - really fucking annoyed

[Boyscandoballettoo]

Please excuse the ranty tone of this thread - I have just had enough! Took my male toddler to a ballet class, and the number of negative comments or comments laughing about it from so-called family and friends has been overwhelming.

Please can people tell me AIBU to think it’s a bloody unisex sport?!? There have always been male ballet dancers! I do NOT understand the ignorance over it and even if it were a female sport traditionally, how dare people be so bloody sexist and make fun of a boy for joining in.

I don’t know why but it’s really pushing my buttons!

@Trewser

Can you read?

No one at the class is making these comments

Even if the parents send him because they do want to challenge gender stereotypes how is that a bad thing?
It is a bad thing when wokeness gets out of hand. "Theybies" and shit.

I live in Surrey.

Several girls in the U6 rugby my son is in.

@FishCanFly

This is not about me challenging anything. As I said upthread I’m
Actually in a pretty “traditional” marriage and quite traditionally minded. My reaction to this whole thing has been eye opening.

Ah sorry, I see it's family and friends. Ignore them, if your ds enjoys it then that's all that matters. Not everyone is going to approve of everything you do!

It is a bad thing when wokeness gets out of hand. "Theybies" and shit

What's a theybie?

Do you mean parents are putting boys in ballet as some sort of trans issue? So they can show the child likes "girl" things and is a pink brain?

I agree with you there as that just reinforces stereotypes. I thought you meant "agenda" as in challenging them and not sticking to traditional boy/girl roles...

or are you trying to push some gender agenda here (because there are plenty of people who do)

How is a boy going to ballet a ‘gender agenda?’

I doubt agree with having a go at you or your doing but I'm also surprised you didn't expect it to an extent, people will gender stereotype. If you want your DS to continue (as from your post, you have a love of ballet so I imagine this influenced him going) you'll need to have some comebacks prepared till people change their attitudes.

Show them some YouTube videos of Carlos Acosta!

*don't

I find that sort of attitude annoying OP. I’ve heard disparaging comments from family members about boys playing with dolls. It’s weary. “Maybe his winkle will fall off if he does ballet or God forbid he could become GAY” is prob what I would say

Sorry you're having to deal with idiots. It says nothing about your son or you. Either ignore them, or ask them why they have that reaction and calmly and factually rebuff their objections.

My sons have been doing ballet for a few years now. It's great for strength, flexibility, body awareness and control and when they are older, a fabulous introduction to classical literature and music. The first time I saw my eldest lift a girl I nearly cried with pride.

If you need ammunition, you might mention that Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tupac Shakur and Arnold Schwartenegger all have a background in ballet.

I'm also surprised you didn't expect it to an extent

No, i didn’t expect. One friend who made comments literally has a little girl who plays football

Wow there is some shit being spouted on this thread!!

I sent my boys to ballet/dance classes to improve their coordination, stamina, core strength, flexibility and discipline. All of which are important attributes for any sport and/or activity, and for general health. It also improves their ability to listen and learn, and to perform in public - which will stand them in good stead in the future if they have to give presentations or speak in public, as much as actually perform.

There is no gender agenda. My boys are both boys in every way but they are boys that dance as well.

One friend who made comments literally has a little girl who plays football

Unfortunately for boys, it's always been more acceptable for girls/women to do "mens things" than vice versa which is basically just reinforcing the idea that boys are better than girls so if you're a boy doing "girls things" then you are lowering yourself to being a girl which of course is a massive insult ........shitty world we live in sometimes

www.balletboyz.com/

Go and see ballet boyz and here fabulous production to see men dance - just glorious

If your boy takes to dance there are many opportunities where different dance schools host specific days for boys in dance. They are trained dedicated athletes.

I have several friends, who I formerly thought were sensible, with DC of both sexes, who attribute their DCs’ differences to sex.

Tiresome.

Do you mean parents are putting boys in ballet as some sort of trans issue? So they can show the child likes "girl" things and is a pink brain?

Well, the situation definitely won't be improved by the various dodgy groups who go into schools to perpetuate gender stereotypes and tell kids that if they like things associated with the opposite sex they might have been born in the wrong body.

I want to send my boy toddler to ballet/ another dance class as it's good coordination and core strength. He'll likely also play rugby when he's a little older (his dad, my DH does and I used to).

Thinking of ballet is making me wince. I did it into my teens and recently tried it again as an adult. It is SO DIFFICULT and you have to be extremely fit. It hurts!

To be fair, at 18 months ANY physical class is going to be about socialising, interacting with peers and learning to follow instructions and having fun. Core strength etc wont be affected at 18 months!

My parents still wince if my sons play with a kitchen or something pink. I give no fucks

The replies on this thread are hilarious and frustrating at the same time. Who hasn't heard of baby ballet before? Yes it's a bit of a twee name for an 18 month old but these dance and arts classes have to be called something. They are a way of getting children out of the house, interacting and doing something positive rather than just sat at home with a parent, isolated watching tv.

I think some of the replies are coming from jealous people.

Keep taking him, if he enjoys it. I have memories of a mum bringing her son to the same dance class as my DD. He wasn't interested at all but she was determined she'd 'have a gender neutral son' and this was one of the steps. He just ran off and didn't want to join in. I think the child's engagement is more important than gender.

I have several friends, who I formerly thought were sensible, with DC of both sexes, who attribute their DCs’ differences to sex.

Tiresome.

@dozer

My son has a genetic disorder that girls are far far less likely to get due to their XX chromosomes.

There are things that are linked to gender.

www.rugby-league.com/article/39694/wigan-warriors-academy-team-train-at-the-royal-ballet-school

A lot more to ballet than sequins, swans and stereotypes.