Currently I am enrolled in the course, International Ballroom Dance here at USC. I enjoy the class, however, one thing that I find particularly striking, is the strong presence of traditional gender roles. For example, for our midterm, everyone should've known the three dances: the foxtrot, the waltz and the swing. However, all the pressure of executing the steps was left to the guys. The girls are expected to follow in ballroom dance. The boys are the "leaders." Obviously both individuals cannot lead in the dance, because then the couple would not be able to move anywhere. It would be dysfunctional. However, why can't there be dance routines where the girl can be the leader? Why must there be the distinctive labels of "leader" and "follower"? I know that for me, it is difficult for me to merely follow, especially when I know the steps better than my partner. I think that many believers in the tradition of the "boys leading" would support it by saying its just the way things have always been. However, I think that the tradition of boys leading the girls, continues an antiquated stereotype about power relations between boys and girls.
In addition, Emily Martin's discussion in her work "The Egg and the Sperm,"on the gender language in biology comes to mind. Our instructor's words for the girl consist of "follow... relax...rely" which are all passive words. For the boys, it is "execute....lead...be strong." What kind of message does this send for girls? Especially girls who have been raised in the 21st century, with society telling them the importance of being independent, and that they are LEADERS. We can lead the guys in dance just as well as they can lead us. It should be an equal playing field.
I find your post extremely interesting, because I was considering writing about ballroom dancing as well at some point - I'm the president of the USC Ballroom and Latin Dance Team on campus (I came to talk to a few ballroom classes this semester - maybe I came to talk to yours?). Ballroom dancing is such a traditionally-roled sport, it's almost ridiculous. I've been trying to fight the traditional roles. During competitions, there are occasionally same-sex couples, most often seen as girls leading other girls (due to the shortage of male interest in the sport).
ReplyDeleteUntil last December, though, I had never seen guys lead other guys. Last December, I was dancing with a male partner at a competition - you would be surprised how many comments we received from judges for having the guts to be a male same-sex couple on the dance floor.
You're completely right - most generally seen in ballroom dancing, guys take on the lead role, whereas the girls take on the follower role. However, there are efforts being made to mix things up. So far, it's been received only with positive feedback.
Yes I believe you talked to my class on the day of our midterm last week. I'm glad to hear there is positive feedback for alternatives! Although I don't believe the traditional male female duo should be erased, I think same sex dance partners should be an avenue for more groups to explore. Or perhaps just routines should be switched up a bit.
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