It has nothing to do with « values » or sport or art. It has everything to do with sexualizing young girls. We should not be teaching 8 year olds to look and act sexy. It’s not necessary for the sport or art of dance. It’s gross.

I can understand not wanting your child to participate in a particular activity because it does not meet the standards and values of your family. However, some of the comments on this thread are so unkind and derogatory to young girls and women. When will we learn to stop shaming each other?! My daughter has danced competitively since she was 5 or 6. Some studios can cross the line but not all. I’ve seen amazing technique and choreography, met wonderful families within our studio and other studios at competitions. If competitive dance is not a good fit for your family, go in peace.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter attends a studio that has competitive dancing. I never understood why there’s so much focus on the dancers holding their leg up. It seems to be every other “move”. It’s gross!

Ha! I totally agree. I don’t have an issue with most of the dances I’ve seen at competitions, but that ONE move - WHY??? (I have a son and have never seen a comparable move for a boy thankfully.)

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. Even in standard gym competitions, there's lots of make-up - WHY would 8 year old gymnasts need make-up?????

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to dance studio/school. You can be part of the company and I think they do competitions but it doesn’t seem emphasized. Anyway, the routines I’ve seen are mostly lyrical and jazz. No twerking.

I've had the same experience. I've seen a few eyebrow raising hip hop routines. But I feel like people really over low it being "sexual" or inappropriate. I'd say about 95% of the dances I've seen are just fine.

My kids go to dance studio/school. You can be part of the company and I think they do competitions but it doesn’t seem emphasized. Anyway, the routines I’ve seen are mostly lyrical and jazz. No twerking.

Umm
I went to a dance comp to see a friends daughter and she was twerkin to Cardi B. What?? I was so confused as she is 8. So wrong.

I agree op. I have an ex in Texas where dance is huge. A while ago he posted a video of his first grade daughter doing some dance moves with a cane... Bending over and shaking her butt type stuff. It was disgusting.

I agree with OP. It’s far too sexualized for young girls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is the art of dance, and then there is the sport of dance. They are two very different forms.

Yeah, but everyone equates the art of dance with ballet. Competition studios are great for kids who aren't ballet focused.

I don't. I took ballet, but I also took tap and jazz. My dance school was focused on Broadway, not The Ballet.

Anonymous wrote:There is the art of dance, and then there is the sport of dance. They are two very different forms.

Yeah, but everyone equates the art of dance with ballet. Competition studios are great for kids who aren't ballet focused.

There is the art of dance, and then there is the sport of dance. They are two very different forms.

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a suburbs thing? I've seen them on Certifikid etc., but don't know anyone personally here in DC who has their kids doing it. My 7yo's friends do jazz, tap, ballet, etc.

Competitive studios will compete in jazz, tap, and ballet.

Anonymous wrote:My son did hip hop classes and I didn't see any stripper moves. I would get out of competitive dance, OP.

My daughter dances at a competition studio as well, and I’ve never seen any stripper moves.