 the male dancer
written by jane@dapacentre.co.uk at on 07.03. at 16:20:36 - as answer to: men in dance by hannah >does anybody have any views on why men are taught differently to females when learning ballet, why are they not taught all the same movements. I find the divide most prominent in ballet dancing. Am loooking at why this is and where the idea of it came from. any help would be appreciated.>thanksMen and women have always dressed differently and taken different roles in life. As time progressess these are disapearing and roles are interchangable. Ballet was developed under the influence of Louis 14th - a man. Turnout developed as Louis and his courtiers wished to emphais their manliness (they stuffed padding down their trousers!)The womwn woar large bulky dresses to the ground. It started with differences and those will alwayds remain to a certian extent because........Men and women are slightly different anatomically. For example a mans pelvis is not design for the expansion and movement required for child birth. We have lumps indifferent places! Although the technique required by both men and women is becoming similar, their are sutble differences in how movements are performed. The hand and arm movements in early training need to distictly different - a young boy does not look right and is it is not appropriate to have soft wrists and very "wafty" moves. Fairy runs should be female only, guys be elves! Boys should be encouraged to jump higher and all movements be stronger and broader. Boys should be taught differently but not made to feel wierd - just male. As an examiner I am constantly horrified by young boys and teenagers dancing just like the girls. WE ARE DIFFERENT. Never forget "men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." Accept our similarities and our differences. Answers to this message: 
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