Sports activity for women - Burlesque?!

[Hawkmoth]

This has really pissed me off.

Lets get women into sport by er... Getting them to discover their "sultry side" and pander to porn-led notions of attractiveness. I'm so annoyed.

you as a worker can voluntarily work for less
an employer can not make you

Yes Julia, because I was specifically talking about you . Who says you don't choose to celebrate your sexuality? Who cares if you do or you don't? You obviously don't choose to go to burlesque classes, so what? Some people do.

Apparently 50% of adults under 24 are currently unemployed, and would be delighted to take a minimum wage job. I hav two in my house, do you think DS could become a Burlesque dancer?

Men do do burlesque. Not as many but there's quite a few events and shows featuring male performers. A lot of men pole dance too.

If it is voluntarily, there is no issue. Is it because it wouldn't be ideal for you?

Wow I got about 10 posts in and thought "wow I'm finally getting to see feminism that reflects me on here'

Then nope same old story

Fwiw
I love burlesque and my bedroom only shoes,
I love my corsets and my hairy legs, I love a woman and I am one

Go figure

It says, "Why Should I? Bring out your sultry side, boost your self confidence and learn a new skill"

And fuck off it all being in my head!

Sport England is publicly funded also.

For me, the problem is that this whole initiative purports to be enabling women to be fitter and more active, yet includes this, which is traditionally representative of the unequal sexuality-norms of society.

Burlesque dancing is classy stripping isn't it?

Have I got that right? Dita Von Teese is probably the most famous burlesque dancer I think, with her performance in a huge martini glass?

Yes, classy stripping is removing underwear in a martini glass.

Unclassy stripping is removing a polo neck, skinny jeans and pop socks whilst trying not fall in the wardrobe.

Ones probably more of a feminist issue than the other.

Hmm that was maybe the wrong way to put it.

Stripping vs "acceptable middle class" stripping

Or something.

But Burlesque dancing is striptease, isn't it?

Well I suppose your stereotypical PTA mummy with a Cath Kitson handbag and Boden coat that your sure marketing toward, wouldn't take up stripping lessons in a back room of a local pub. But would consider ladies burlesque classes at the local wine bar?

but it is striptease, right?

Without that aspect, it's not "burlesque dancing" but presumably just "dancing"?

Haven't seen men pole dance, but here is a man doing pole gymnastics while not being even slightly sultry:

Spot the difference...

Wow

I saw a group of 4 West African men ho had a pole dancing show at the Brighton festival a few years back. Fantastic, but definitely more circus acrobatics than strip.

So are we pretending that men watching women poledance / strip / burlesque / whatever are in it for the sport?

the poledancing men in the link looked, erm, nice. I have an upper body strength thing. Anyway.

Clue in the audience people! Audience for male pole-dancing competition was men, appreciating the physical effort. I can look and think, mmm, but, that's not why they are doing it.

I often forget that people pretend obvious stuff isn't true.

If there were classes up and down the land teaching women (and men) how to do the moves shown in that video, that would be amazing, because it's truly pushing the human body, rather than doing something for the benefit of an onlooker.

Well, I'm not. I've always thought pole dancing and striptease and Burlesque were things I'd be very unhappy doing or watching because it conflicts with my view of what my feminism involves.
But I'm also aware that later feminist movements have different views.

Interested re burlesque dancing = striptease

because it does

Do I think that public money should be spent encouraging schoolgirls to learn "burlesque dancing"?

Um, NO.

So there we have it :)

goblin the moves shown in the video are around gymnastics , and not about a performance designed to sexually arouse.

That for me is always the difference.

But there are many feminists who see dancing in a sexually provocative manner, or stripping, as empowering and their free choice.
Who see Miley and Robin and 'Blurred Lines' as a good thing.
Feminism is a very broad spectrum, and the parts that blur into abuse and exploitation are where I get confused and uncomfortable.

Yeah well people who think that are wankers

HTH