Harwel Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 The boys I see at vocational school are certainly not held to a lower standard than the girls. Years ago that was true, but no longer. Years ago any boy training was pretty much guaranteed a job, not so any more. We just went to watch the beautiful 'Ballet Cymru', in the past a small company would have had very dodgy male dancers, both men and women were impressive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) Over the last few years I have noticed that male graduates from British vocational schools seem to have more success in gaining professional employment in good companies than the girls. I could be wrong, but on the schools' published lists that was the case. Not because there is a shortage, but because they are excellent. Edited June 8, 2017 by Pas de Quatre Spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 At the vocational level, I don't know. At a lower level than that I've definitely seen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 18 minutes ago, Colman said: At the vocational level, I don't know. At a lower level than that I've definitely seen it. it;s the number's game again , as lower levels it;s the case of beign glad of those who can make it across those two tiny strips of metal that are insignificant physically but psychologically huge ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I think it's also worth remembering that generally, boys develop a bit later than girls in the physical stakes. It's all about noticing and training potential. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 11 minutes ago, Harwel said: I think it's also worth remembering that generally, boys develop a bit later than girls in the physical stakes. It's all about noticing and training potential. which means the y7/8 entry to vocational training for boys is probably less critical ... i was a weedy thing in y 7/8 and towards the middlw of y 8 things just happened ( near halved my times in middle distance/ 'cross country' running etc ). the two critical things from this whole thread are 1. societal and organisational attitudes matter with regard to adults schoosing to work in a field ( and if men has said some of the stuff about females in STEM / Military / 999 services that females have said about men in EYFS/ teaching in general / healthcare , the chaps would have been crucified ) 2. it seems a lot of the challenges in getting boys into Dance are the 'made up by others' ones ... whether societal in general or specific to the dance community... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 1 hour ago, mph said: 2. it seems a lot of the challenges in getting boys into Dance are the 'made up by others' ones ... whether societal in general or specific to the dance community... The dance world goes out of its way to encourage boys to dance, one of many examples being the title of this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLou Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 It seems to me that whilst there are far fewer boy than girl dancers aged 7-14, the vast majority of boys that do dance are very good. Whereas a girl might just drift along with the crowd (of girls), and subsequently become a happy recreational dancer, in general boys will only try and stick at dancing if they have a real passion and aptitude for it. It’s the boys who might just enjoy dancing at a recreational level that maybe need to be encouraged to have a go because they are missing out. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 5 minutes ago, taxi4ballet said: The dance world goes out of its way to encourage boys to dance, one of many examples being the title of this thread. However some of the attitudes displayed ... also the sideways looks from some of the 'once a week' parents etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I have been running my own ballet school for many years, and the number of boys has waxed and waned. However, what bothers me is that if I meet someone socially and tell them what I do, the inevitable question is "have you many boys?" It seems to ignore all the hard work and successes that my female pupils may have had. I agree with BlueLou, those boys who do come and continue to train are usually very talented and committed otherwise they do tend to drop out. But it does seem like a form of misogyny, that having more boys means you are more successful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 54 minutes ago, mph said: However some of the attitudes displayed ... also the sideways looks from some of the 'once a week' parents etc... Perhaps you have just been unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 1 hour ago, taxi4ballet said: The dance world goes out of its way to encourage boys to dance, one of many examples being the title of this thread. I originated this thread. You will note my original post also highlighted the positives of girls being offered cricket coaching. However, this is a ballet and not a cricket forum which is why I came up with that title. You will also note that, despite the encouragement, only 1.8% of exam entries are from boys, which would suggest that despite all the encouragement, there is still work to be done. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pups_mum Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 And surely the fact that the dance world has to go out of its way to encourage boys is indicative of the fact that there is a problem? Wider cultural pressures are the issue really, not the dance establishment specifically. I view this in exactly the same way as the initiatives now in place to encourage girls into the STEM subjects - the societal prejudices are just the same but in reverse. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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