Challenging conceptions of gender: UK dance teachers' perceptions of boys and girls in the ballet studio

Clegg, H., Owton, H. and Allen-Collinson, J. (2017) Challenging conceptions of gender: UK dance teachers' perceptions of boys and girls in the ballet studio. Research in Dance Education. 19(2), pp. 128-139. 1464-7893.

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Item Type:	Article
Abstract:	In the ‘Western’ world, dance is generally considered a feminised activity and gender traditionally tends to be drawn along binary lines. Traditional notions of idealised gendered bodies in dance are often valorised. Psychologically, girls are expected to be passive, by unquestioningly accepting the instructions of the dance teacher, whereas boys are encouraged to be challenging, energetic and daring. Dance educators have an important role in influencing such attitudes but to date have been under-researched. To understand their perceptions of boys and girls in the dance studio, 10 female dance teachers from across the UK participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, from which two key themes emerged: 'Performing Masculinity' and 'Boys’ Challenges to Traditional Dance Pedagaogy'. Within the ballet studio, teachers encouraged the performance of masculinity in boys and femininity in girls. However, there was some reflection by the teachers on such traditional conceptualisations of gendered physicality. Boys were perceived to challenge the traditional, authoritarian pedagogy by not conforming to behavioral expectations of docility. Whilst teachers were found to respond by changing their pedagogy, this paper calls for the use of a model of pedagogy that is gender neutral, fosters creativity and empowers all genders.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dance, dance teachers, femininity, gender, masculinity, pedagogy
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF692 Psychology of sex. Sexual behaviour G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure > GV1787 Ballet. Modern dance
Creators:	Clegg, Helen, Owton, Helen and Allen-Collinson, Jacquelyn
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:	University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Date:	24 October 2017
Date Type:	Published Online
Page Range:	pp. 128-139
Journal or Publication Title:	Research in Dance Education
Volume:	19
Number:	2
Language:	English
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2017.1391194
ISSN:	1464-7893
Status:	Published / Disseminated
Refereed:	Yes
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/9935

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