Boys in Ballet

My son started ballet and Tap dance at age 4. He loves it! Some of the guys might make fun of him when he hits high school, but not when he shows up with a hot little ballerina on his arm! :) I would put him in the classes, and then leave it up to him if he wants to continue.

P.S. I also have my son in martial arts, so just let those other boys try to call him a girl! :)

My son was in ballet from age 4 to 7 and really enjoyed it. This last year he decided he wanted to do Tae Kwan Do like his cousin, but he loved the ballet, especially being the "only boy" in his class. The little girls loved him, and he got special attention to his movements (like bowing like a boy) in the little recitals and things.

No way. Let him dance. Boys who can dance have a big advantage with the girls when they get to high school and college. Plus ballet is excellent for physical fitness, just as good as martial arts or sports. As long as he's happy, I'd say keep him in it.

I am not sure where you are located, but have you considered signing him up for an all boy ballet class? I know that PNB has them, but I a not sure at what age. It might not be until 5 or 6.
My daughter takes ballet at our rec center and I will say that it is all girls, although a friend of hers is in a different class that has one boy. Accordig to my friend, his father was a football player and had taken ballet as a boy. He thought it really helped him and wanted that for his son too. I don't know what to think about that motivation, but as long as the boy likes it, who cares?
Another friend of mine takes her boys (4 and 2) to a creative movement class at her rec center and they love it.
As long as your son likes it, who cares what your family thinks!

Do what makes him feel good. Let him try out different things. Ballet, gymnastics, swimming, sports...etc. The world is open for a four year old.

ROFL....it always cracks me up when people think of male ballet dancers as "girly". Have they not SEEN those muscles? Yowza. Football players need pads to look good...ballet dancers have "pads" in the form of years of training developing rock hard muscles. Girlie indeed.

The best argument I've found to counteract the "girlie" business though, is just that: football. Last time I checked...nearly every pro-football team requires ballet training for their players...because it develops concentration, focus, body awareness, and muscle development.

If I'm feeling snide, I might ask if "x" has such a big problem with preforming arts then of course you don't see plays, listen to music, or watch TV, or go to the movies. This route probably wouldn't be the best with your MIL, though.

On a side note: My mid-twenties brother is a hockey goalie. He's 6'4, and ripped. And for years he did figure skating AND hockey. My dad finally became nervous enough to ask "Why????" to the figure skating. My brother's response: "Dad...have you SEEN what the girls wear? There's hardly any guys who skate with them, and most of them are gay. Maybe a hundred girls to each guy, dad. It's like heaven."

Sigh.

Maybe I'll just start carrying a sign that says "Homophobia-Free-Zone"

E.,

I to have had dance in my life forever and actually have taught dance in public schools for the last six years. There is nothing more rewarding than educating our future artists and audience members to not give into all the stereotypes that come along in the world of dance. Sounds like your mother in law could have used dance education as a child. Unfortunately there are still so many people who just don't get it. Lack of knowledge and appreciation for the arts in our society as a whole is to blame, but how wonderful that you would like it to be different for your son. In public schools I found the boys were some of my best dancers. They were the ones who loved to run, jump, spin, slide, etc. Once they realized the moves were a part of dance I had them hooked. Use this as your opportunity to educate your son. Chances are he won't get it at his school when it comes time. If he continues or only does it for a session...no harm done. I don't imagine you are expecting him to become the lead solo performer, but just want him to have fun and be able to benefit from all that dance can offer a toddler. There are so many benefits. Number one being the creative edge that many artists have. How great our world could be if we could all learn to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. One attribute that many executives are looking for when they are hiring people to work in our everchanging world of technology and business. I certainly would consider checking out a few places. Being a dancer yourself you will know as soon as you see a class if it is what you are looking for. A great thing for boys is creative movement or even some kind of combo class. At his age level many of the classes offered are some kind of combination of dance styles (tap, ballet, jazz, creative movement) where all types of dance are explored. I to am looking into dance classes for my son who will be four in June. He is also learning to ice skate. Hockey player or figure skating all that is important is that he is having fun. Have fun at dance class!

M. M.

I think ballet is great for boys, but only if the boy likes it. Does your son know what kind of class he will be in? Maybe he could try a class before you sign him up. I don't think you should worry about sterotypes, you used to dance, and you know that they don't put tutu's on boys...

E.,

Two words............Patrick Swayze!

I am a girl, but I was a real tom boy. My Mum made me do ballet from 4 till 11 yrs old and I went along with it to keep the peace. Turns out I was born to dance. It has enriched my social life no end. While everyone else took drugs to enjoy a night out, all I wanted to do was dance. I really credit my early ballet training for my confidence on the dance floor. Learning ballet is like learning latin; you're never going to speak latin but the platform that it gives you for learning any other language is huge, and a confident man on the dance floor fairly rare and very sexy. Encourage him and let him pick out his path. I had dancing genes inside me and I was happy that my mother brought those to my attention, but she was also a piano player, and made me play piano. That part I didn;t gel with. Identify with your son, encourage him but don't make him into anything, that's up to him

I think it matters who wants your son to be in ballet? If he is wanting to do it, then, of course, sign him up! But do not try to make him the ballet dancer you always wanted yourself to be! :)

E. - I am going to be on the other side of the fence here, and it may not go over well here. But, you asked for our opinions and what we thought, so goes...
First of all I am a mother to two boys (ages 3 and 6) and sister to 5 younger brothers. NEVER would my brothers have even thought about ballet. I have a brother who is an olympic fencer (sword fighter) and one who is a college soccer player.
At 4 he is not in school as some people have pointed out, but next year (or whenever he turns 5) he will be. And while we tend to think that Kindergarten is not "really" school, it is. And I have learned in the past two weeks that kindergarteners can really be cruel! And, in Kindy they are outside for reccesses with other ages (1st 2nd and 3rd graders) and I guarantee you that those children will make fun of your son. Whether or not it's right is a whole different story, but children are cruel!! NOT ALL, but there will be some kids that are. (and when I say cruel, I mean beat him up, taunt him, say awful things to him...it HAPPENS MAMA'S!! It's happening at my son's school and believe me I was surprised as anyone)
People here have said that football players take ballet...agreed. But, they usually don't take it until they are in Highschool or college, when they are more secure in who they are and it doesn't bother them when someone doesn't like them.
Here's the thing. If you think that your son can deal with getting made fun of in his first couple 6-8 years of school then go for it! But, there will be tears and fights. I guarantee it.
Some women have said that it helps teach them to stand up for themselves yada yada....When you are just figuring out how to go to school, make friends, share, and listen to a teacher (other than you mom) it's hard enough.
If you have a YMCA near you they also have soccer, dance classes (put music on and let the kids dance), arts and crafts, baseball(t-ball) and other sports. My son, when he was 4 1/2 took Tae Kwon Do (which he hated, it was boring).
Good Luck with whatever you decide.
L.

My thoughts were right along with all of your judgmental family when my SIL put her 3 boys and 2 daughters in dance. They each started when they were 3 and are still in dance. They have done ballet, jazz, tap, etc. Her boys are the only boys in that dance school, but have never been made fun of! Her oldest son is 16 and is one of the most popular guys in school because of dance. The girl are going crazy for a guy that can dance, and he is surrounded by a class full of girls that think he is amazing. Because of this class, he also has had tons of experience working with girls where his other guy friends are still shy and don't know how to act. Anyway, the boys have always been in very "guy" costumes, and the dance usually revolves around them. They are never expected to dance the girl part or to dress girly. The younger boys are in K and 1st, and same with them... they have never been made fun of, and girls flock to them too. Not that your primary motivation is to make him attractive to girls, but that is what made them all so popular with their friends. When a girl goes to a school dance, she wants a guy that can move and can make her look good, not a clumsy boy that has two left feet.

In conclusion, I say forget about everyone else and follow your heart until he is old enough to tell you that his passion is somewhere else. Men have danced from the beginning of time, so I don't know where our idea that only girls dance came from.

All of the ballerinas out there need still need partners - don't they?

I haven't done too much research on my own, but I have heard more than once that boys in dance and gymnastics often make better athletes when they get older, should they choose to go another path. And it makes sense, both ballet and gymnastics teach control and flexibility, and help keep kids in shape at young ages, since more "tough" sports are often put on hold until they reach older ages. I think it is our job as parents to expose our kids to multiple activities, just as we teach them about different cultures and people.

Does your son want to do it?, should be the main question you ask yourself. If he is interested in it, then go for it! Very famous men ballet dancers were once boys...Who cares what anyone else thinks. Don't let peer pressure guide your life. Your child, your motherly instincts for your child, are what counts. Not what anyone else thinks or says to you.

Go for it! There is so much good that can come from it and little bad. At this age, it is just so good for their gross moter development, etc. He'll let you know if he likes it or not, and if he doesn't, don't make him do it after the lesson session has ended.

My 2 year old son is in gymnastics - many would consider that girlie, but more than half the class is boys. (Have you looked into Gymboree or Little Gym?)

My nephew is a very accomplished ballet artist - he did it all through high school. I don't know him well, but I don't think he faced any ridicule for it. I took my oldest son to see him perform once. It was great.

To me, the most important part is that the kids have fun doing what they are doing and that they aren't forced into things. Once you try, you'll know if it is something you want to continue.

I'm not sure where you live, but there are lots of options for 4 year olds. Snoking sports has t-ball and soccer for kids that young. Little Kickers does soccer for kids younger than that. Our rec department has a variety of options for young kids (Shoreline and Edmonds).

Good luck and just help him have fun!
C.

Hi,

I too danced for years and didn't pursue it professionally. That being said the arts are a big part of our life. We watch the BBC programs and we go to the symphony, Theatre and ballet. My son is 3 now but has been watching all kinds of dance his entire young life. He has been taking ballet for 2 years (it's a mom and me class) it's not the hard core stuff, but they are required to participate and they do what are considered preballet activities. My husband is all for it. He is the only boy in his class and from very early on he would enter the room and say hello my girls. He likes to rum and leap and jump and he has great balance and he owns a pink Tutu because that is what all the girls wear, but he also has black pants and a white shirt which is what he wears most of the time. He Also plays soccer and loves Trucks- especially monster Trucks. The introduction to ballet isn't necessarily a gender issue and it isn't going to make him more feminine, but it will provide him with some calm centering, disciplined structure. It is also good for balance and the exposure to classical music which in and of itself is stimulating for the brain. Many athletes who are clumsy are told to take a ballet class to perpetuate grace and light footedness so it's not totally a girly thing - it requires athleticism and when he is older he may want to try Tap which is a very guy oriented dance genre. The bigger question is... Does he like it? If he likes it and wants to do it - it's not wrong. If it's a fight and he doesn't get anything positive out of it then you might want to rethink it. Also ask yourself, are you doing it for you or for him. If it's for you then sign yourself up for a class and let him do something else, but personnally i do not think you can go wrong by exposing your son to Ballet. I think all kids today need diversity and to be taught acceptance and that through their likes and examples they may teach adults acceptance. I don't think he will be embarrased unless he allows it too or you guys allow it to. In our house we don't make an issue, it is just an activity he does like all the others and when he's older if he decides he doesn't want to do it so be it. but in the mean time he's getting some valuable skills through a fun vehicle and he loves it. It also teaches respect and in a sense a bit of chivalry. My son bows to his teacher at the end and always calls her "your majesty" and it's very festive. For all those people who think he will be made fun of - particulary the males, ask them this..."what other activity allows for a very high female to male ratio where the boys get a lot of the attention from the girls? What little boy doesn't love adoring little girl attention - older guys could take a lesson - Feel free to email me personally about this at ____@____.com - take care

Tell your narrow minded family that many many many professional football players (American and European football) take or have taken Ballet. It increases coordination, grace and flexibility. So, tell your silly family to put that in their pipe and smoke it and leave your kid alone. He will be fine..if he enjoys ballet, he should take it.

On a side note, ask your mother in law what would happen if your son turned out to be gay...would she love him any less? This is important because she is basically saying that your son is "less" of a male when he wants to dance. Being a man is not about gay or straight...if she doesn't know that then phooey on her..but shame on her as well.

My hubby just made an excellant suggestion. Sit down with your MIL and watch something like Celtic Tiger. (Starring Michael Flatley). The reason I suggest that one is that it tells a story in the form of dance that cannot be told without the male performers. Most dance "performances" of any merit tell a story of some sort. "The Nutcracker", "Swan Lake", and any of the other love stories cannot be told without the male performers. I suggest Michael Flatly and "Celtic Tiger" only because he combines many forms of dance (including ballet) to tell the complete story, setting the mood etc with the different forms of dance. Ballet sets a mood just like Celtic Step Dancing sets a mood...they are combined brilliantly at times..and it might give some idea what your son something to strive for too :)

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a rec. dept. ballet class for 4 year olds. The ones my girls took did not teach much ballet. The girls all looked cute and loved the costumes. There were no boys in the classes.

If your son shows a talent for classical ballet and wants to pursue it, go for it. I'd find a good studio that teaches proper technique that will help him develop his skills and avoid injury.

First of all E. there is nothing wrong with a boy in ballet. Pro football players take ballet or something similar to help their game. It improves agility and balance, making it harder for them to get attacked. If anyone gives you a hard time about it tell them that you are helping your son make millions as a pro football player in the future.

please put him in ballet and don't worry. and tell all those who are near him to back off so he doesn't get any ideas that he needs to be embarassed, especially from family! i'd go by what your son wants, not what anyone else says. even if he does get made fun of, it will be a great opportunity for him to learn about not needing to fit into stereotyped roles if you are there to support him.

Hey E.,
I too am a mom to three boys; Riley (4) Bodie (3) and Kyle (1.5).....OMG we must chat it up! My husband and I have been married 4.5 years, and we are outdoor enthu's too (well, we used to climb, hike, camp and ski before kids - I think this will be the summer come back now that everyone can walk without being carried.) I was classically trained in Ballet for all of my childhood - there aren't very many of us out there it seems who understand the whole enchalida when it comes to this. Riley my four year old would thrive in a dance class - and I would put him in one in a heartbeat if I could find one that is gender neutral. I would talk to the teacher at the rec center and express your concerns - feel it out to see if she is versed in teaching girls and boys. Also gymnastics would provide a similar experience - if it's available. He's still a little guy and I don't think any of his peers would think anything of it - just don't let any adults in his life make him feel weird about it. My dream has always been to open a dance studio for children - gender neutral - all styles of dance - maybe we should collaborate!
-Peace
R.

First of all, you have to be sure that you're not living vicariously thru your son. Next, go to the rec center or dance studio and see how many other little boys are participating. Now, what about your son's friends. What sort of activities are they involved with? As much as you love what dance does for the body, his social development is just as important at this age. So, looking at what his friends do, why not ask if they'd like to join him at dance or maybe he could join them at their activities? If dance were your son's choice I don't think your MIL or anyone else would be concerned, but at his young age, it's not his request but your interest that is the driver for this activity. No, it's not the norm for young boys to be involved in dance. That's not to say that boys don't take up dance, but it's usually their choice, their interest, not Mom's. Coupled with all your other posrs, I think it would be wonderful if you got your boys involved with other kids of their own ages in a variety of activities. If they were in pre-school, you could volunteer to help out and maybe introduce dance to the entire group of kids, once a week as an activity. That way he can share you and your passion with his new friends and everyone can have fun. He won't be the only kid dancing in the halls and in the streets!!

Register him for class, attend a couple of times and take your lead from him. Saying things like "isn't this fun" and "looks like everyone has so much fun" will encourage a positive opinion from him.

If he likes it, you can even dance with him. If he doesn't like balet, let him know that the two of you can find something else he'd like to do.

At 4, he's learning skill and technique, but he's also learning how to interact with others his age and taking direction from someone other than Mom & Dad.

If you and your husband are OK with balet, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You love your son and want him to be all that he can be and you're simply exposing him to a bit of art.

Let him give it a go, but be VERY attentive to him saying he doesn't want to do it. If he goes and she's that he's the only boy, he may decide on his own that he doesn't want to do it. If he loves it, maybe he has a natural talent that he's lucky enough to find early. Just don't force him to continue if he doesn't want to.

First off I'm sorry that your MIL is being silly. Hey if you want to have your son try ballet by golly go for it. See if he likes it. If he doesn't - then so be it. Besides he's 4 years old - it's not like he is in school or anything. Ballet is very hard physically - the amount of leg strength and keeping your body aligned perfectly. It may teach him rythem, patience, and persitance. The appreciation for music in a era that is non-existant anymore. Ballet would be fabulous.

I don't think that the mentality of other 4 or 5 year olds would pick on him for going to ballet - that would only be caused by adults. Good luck - I hope you give it a try for him and see what "He" thinks.

I have seen boys in ballet recently, granted they are really outnumbered by the girls, but they're there. If it's something you love, I see no reason not to sign up your son. It may not be something he continues, but that doesn't mean he won't enjoy it now.

I think if you want to try your son in ballet, you absolutely should. The stereotype that it's too girly is ridiculous in my opinion. At four years old, I'm sure he can let you know if he's uncomfortable with all girls. He might love the attention as the only boy in class. :-)

If you're concerned about the ballet issue though, consider trying him in tap dance. I took all kinds of dance for years, and was never very graceful, but took to tap right away. Tap is great for coordination and rhythm, too. :-)

Hi E.: I too had been a dancer for many years, and I see nothing wrong with putting your son in ballet. I would just check out the teacher and the facility really well. Do they give the boys special attention so they have the right form for a boy? You want to see that they are instilling the strength, grace and form that male dancers need, even as young as yours is! Do they respect the boys, do they give them accolades when doing well, and do they give them special center floor work? All those things add to a boy's confidence in ballet. It's a very disciplined focus, and has such great benefits when done well, but if he's just lumped in there with all the girls, he might have a tougher time of it. Just my two cents!

AS long as he is having fun, let him dance and to heck with everything else. Besides look at most football players, they include ballet in their training program due to the flexibility it helps induce. So you will be giving him an up so to speak if he decides he wants to play athletics. Also it helps in coordination, self confidence, and yeah a guy who can dance definitely is more interesting than a guy who sits on his tuccus and watches TV all day!

S.

I don't have much to add to the great advice so far, but I agree. If your son wants to do it, go for it. I took ballet when I was about his age with about 10 other kids in a very small farming town. Two of them were boys. We entered kindergarten together the next year and I don't remember any issues for the boys. In fact, they turned out to be a couple of the cutest, most friendly guys I went to school with who now have beautiful families. Enjoy introducing your little one to dance! (Oh, and need I mention the male athletes and superstars on Dancing with the Stars? They may not all be the most graceful dancers but neither are they "girlie").

Hey there. My daughter was in dance for her whole life. She always had boys around her in class and she was usually taught by male instructors from NYC. She stayed in dance so long, got a job working at a dance store in NYC and after 2 years there saw that there were so many boys looking for dance gear that she and her manager at the time left the store and opened their own store just for male dancers. In less than a year they have received orders from thousands of boys and parents of boys in over 13 countries. The store is called boysdancetoo.com but what I'm really trying to tell you with this example of my daughters business is that boys in dance is a non-issue. Boys that want to dance are going to do it anyway. A lot of them start at a later age because they are old enough to say to themselves.... "I don't care... boys dance too... whatever." So if your son wants to do it now, let him. Its just going to make him happy and better at everything physical than anyone else. And 'being girly" is such a stupid thing to say to someone. There is nothing wrong with being anything that doesn't hurt anyone or anything. All of my daughters male dance friends can lift refrigerators over their heads and throw them across rooms. So...

forget what anyone else says. it's your child, not theirs.

boys/men in dance are underrated. men who dance are some of the strongest, most well controlled people ever, i would say stronger and more in control of their bodies than an athlete. hi, i don't see baseball players walking across the stage holding a grown woman over his head with one hand WITHOUT straining or wobbling or dropping her.

that said, if you son doesn't want to dance, don't force him into it. as a potential stage mother (i'll have to work so hard not to turn into one!), i have to try really hard not to shove my daughter into things I want to see her succeed at, rather than things SHE wants to actually do. i say take him to the class and see how he likes it. and if it's something he wants to pursue, don't bother with a park and rec class for the long term. my 3 year old daughter took a park and rec dance class and while she had fun, i didn't see that it actually taught her anything.

I haven't read all the responses, so I apologize for any duplication. I have been able to watch both of my nephews, now 8 and 10, develop through dance (one is jazz/tap and one is a very good ballet dancer). They would be the first to tell you it's been great for them.

As with any class, try it and see.

It does provide a basic physical discipline and "language" for him to build on no matter what your son does in the future.

For my ballet nephew, the older classes sometimes invite him "up" to help him develop, which has been a huge help.

There is also a definite plus to being "outnumbered". Think of it as specialization...he'll always be in demand!

There are no boys in my daughter's ballet class but there are boys in the classes one level above hers. I would ask if there are any boys in any class and sign your son up for that one or try to get a friend to sign up with him. Some studios also have classes that are not called "ballet" and are just more general dance so little boys don't assume they are only for girls. I know how hard it is for kids to do something they think is for the opposite gender.

Being the fan of the sydney dance company and modern dance I have a great appreciation for the sheer physical magnificence of a well trained dancer male or female. If your sons have any doubts (and it really should be up to them) have them watch some online videos or these amazing people who dedicate their life to expressing the complexity of being human through dance. We need to have both the male and female presentatio of humanity....
okay so that is a grandiose answer but of course it is not only okay but fantastic when a man dedicates his training to something so exquisitely human and universal and physically demanding.
here are a couple of urls to my favourites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nee3rrLqvnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifepLkAIXT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL1rB0GPIhI

Like you, I danced growing up, and actually have been taking ballet classes as my mommy time recently. I have thought about putting my son in dance classes.

I do not see anything wrong with it, unless he is miserable. My nephew did gymnastics and loved it.

As long as you and your husband are supportive, and he likes it, who cares what other people think any way.

What an amazing thing to put your little guy in and shame on your family for being such poor sports! Others are right when they bring up that many professional athletes take ballet to make them more coordinated and graceful. It is a wonderful thing to put boys into and will introduce him to some really great activities. I say go for it and let us know how it goes! I am looking for something for my son to go into...

You danced with guys, right? You even danced with straight guys, right? I think you decision is just fine. A lot of the guys i danced with were quite masculine, and all of the guys that i danced with learned good lessons about music and composition, developed incredibly strong muscles and bones, and learned agility and timing. Those skills are transferable, so even if your son decides to quit ballet in the future, its not like this will cause long lasting damage to him. To the contrary, it may offer him concrete benefits. I know that when i was growing up many professional sports teams offered ballet as a form of training for their athletes - like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although, its always worth remembering that it should depend on your son - if he likes dancing, then its great for him to participate. But if he decides he doesn't like it, then remember not to encourage him simply to regain your lost past. (Not saying you are, but i think it would be really easy to hang on longer than you otherwise would to the idea of having him dance.)

Football players take Ballet, how can that be much more masculine? They learn it so they can stretch and move better for catching the ball and jumping in the air without hurting themselves.
Also if you son decides he likes theater in school, then dance would help with any musical that he is in.
Hugz
B.

What does Brody want to do? Does he want to go to dance class? Is it something he seems to be interested in or is it something that you are interested in for him?

Our 4 year old daughter is in dance. Her class has 8-10 other 3-4 year old girls in pink frilly outfits following the teacher. It is all very cute and she most of the time wants to go. But there are times she does not and I dont push her. We take her because she asked to go after weeks of pretending to be a ballerina and dancing around the living room.

Does he pretend to be a ballerina and dance around the living room? There are no little boys in her class. But there are a few boys in the other dance classes - they are older - 8 and up. I do think dance helps with corrdination and following directions. But so do many other classes. Find out what Brody wants to do and then put him in it. He would enjoy that more than doing what he thinks his Mommy wants him to do.

There are a few boys in my daughters dance school. Males are fantastic dancers, there's a reason why they usually win all the dance shows on tv! The athleticism is incredible. If he wants to do it, I think it's great!!

I don't think it's way too girly at all!! My son, who is 3 and 1/2, has actually asked me about doing ballet all on his own. I think they have a class at our YMCA. He's already done tumbling. Anthony (that's my son) loves Zoe from Sesame Street, and she's always doing ballet. I'm sure your son thinks the world of you, being mommy, and would love to do what you do!! That's awesome!! My son loves to dance, and it probably has something to do with how much I love music, I would guess. We dance around a lot together, too. I think it's really natural.

As far as getting teased, well, it very well may happen. I am sorry that the grown ups are being yucky to you....but hopefully that's the worst of it. I know that kids can be bad, too, but at this age maybe it can still be about fun. If that's not the case, it may be time to bring out the lessons about teasing already. If you run in to that, I hope that you will come back and post about that experience, too. But I hope that it doesn't happen! ((((mama)))) But I don't think that you're "setting him up" for it by any means. Letting a boy take a dance class is OK!! Especially if he wants to. Let's not take away things from them based on sexism. That's a shame, I think.

I think it is great to raise a well round child! I would take him to a class and have him try it. If he likes it and wants to do it, then go for it. He might like it and he might not. See what interets he feels like persuring. I know he is only four, but you and him both probably have a good idea of what he likes to do. Good luck mom!

I don't think there is anything wrong with any activity that gets your children moving and in shape. My boys took different activity classes throughout the years including creative dance & folk dancing. The main thing is to listen if its working for him. He can't live your dream of becoming a dancer and keep in mind his age. He's only 4 and still needs to have lots of play time and less structured activities.I would go for it keeping that said in mind.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, my son is 4 1/2 and I just put him in beginner gymnastics. Dance is an art and as long as he enjoys it, that's all that matters. If by chance he doesn't enjoy it or you don't feel comfortable with it, I would suggest checking the ymca. They have a lot of classes for kids his age and most are included free with membership.

If your son wants to take dance then let him take dance. There is always someone somewhere that will say something negative to hurt someone elses feelings. Unfortunately your son will encounter this during his lifetime whether he is in dance or not. Encourage him to do what he is interested in doing and to be who he wants to be. Ballet will help him with his coordination, stamina and he may really like it. Good luck.

Ballet is hard, for a boy or girl.(physically) If he pursues it further, I am sure you know how much self discipline it will teach him. I would only put him in if he wants to pursue it, just like any other activity or sport. Sounds like the only teasing he will get is coming from your family, their views are outdated. Good Luck:)