Children as young as 12 offered pole dancing lessons by Plymouth business
PLYMOUTH children as young as 12 are being offered pole dance lessons by a city business.
The classes, launched yesterday, have been strongly criticised by an MP, who said children should not be 'parading as if in some kind of strip club'.
But others have backed the lessons, saying they are a 'valid form of exercise'. And the woman running the classes defended them, saying there was a 'big difference' between fitness pole dancing and exotic dancing.
The lessons are being run by The Art of Dance pole dance and burlesque school. It said they are aimed at making people fitter and stronger as well as boosting self-confidence.
The sessions began yesterday for children aged 12–15.
The dance school's website promotes the lessons as the 'gymnastic art of pole dancing'.
Each child must be accompanied by an adult at least for the first session and they are asked to wear a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms with shorts underneath for parts of the class that need skin contact.
Gary Streeter, Conservative MP for South West Devon, said lessons need to be treated with a 'great deal of caution'.
He told The Herald: "We have a real problem in our country with the increasing sexualisation of children through the media, advertising, branding of products and this kind of thing would be a step in the wrong direction."
He said that it was right to help children to be fit and healthy but any exercise would have to be carefully monitored.
"So that they weren't overtly sexual," he said.
"We do not want 12-year-olds parading as if in some kind of strip club."
Sam Remmer, who founded the Mutley-based dance company, said many people don't understand the difference between fitness pole dancing and exotic dancing.
"There is a big difference and it is unfortunate that those criticising my decision to run kids' classes haven't educated themselves as to the difference," she said.
"To understand fitness pole dancing you have to see the pole as a climbing frame which basically means it is a gymnastic apparatus."
The businesswoman is no stranger to controversy. In 2009 she received death threats and hate mail after it was reported The Art of Dance gave college students as young as 14 lunchtime pole-dancing demonstrations.
"I am fully aware of the extreme negative reactions some people will have," said Sam.
"At a time when we are seeing massive problems with childhood obesity, general poor diet and lack of exercise it is essential that we get kids to try new activities. Most kids don't want to do more traditional sports such as netball or hockey."
Sam Remmer pole dancing at the University of Plymouth last year
A spokesperson for the Mother's Union, a Christian organisation that supports families, said it is important to encourage children and teenagers to exercise and creative forms of fitness are often more popular with girls than traditional competitive sport.
"Whilst the pole dancing lessons do require parental attendance to start with, we are concerned that children are being targeted with an activity that, by and large, is part of a male club culture which objectifies women," said the charity.
"It is naive to suggest that any young person joining such a class will be unaware of the intention of pole dancing. Obviously it is up to parents to discern whether it is appropriate for their child to join a pole dancing class, but we hope parents would consider the negative impact it could have on their child's perception of their own body and sexuality."
YOUR VIEWS
DEE PEARCE, 55, from Eggbuckland: "Any way of keeping kids fit is
great in my book. I bet it's the same people that bang on about child
obesity that are up in arms about this. At that age there's often
nothing to do for kids - it's an in-between age. Anything that keeps
them off the street and keeps them healthy is great."
JOHN
SIDBOTHAM, 33, from St Judes: "It sounds creepy initially but when you
think about it, it's a valid form of exercise. I'm not dead against it,
but at the same time I'm wary. Pole dancing certainly comes with a set
of connotations, but it's nothing compared with the beauty pageants they
have in America."
WILMA HEVERAN, 46, from Eggbuckland: "It's
diabolical. It's sick. At that age, they're just children and they
should be playing rounders or netball. I work in a school and I see
plenty of kids growing up too fast. It's more important than ever to
protect their innocence."
HOLLIE FERGUSON, 26, from Thornbury:
"It's just wrong. I was into dance at a young age- hiphop, disco,
freestyle. There is plenty for kids to do to keep fit and have fun. No
matter what you argue, the girls will be recreating the moves they've
learnt as soon as they go out. In fact the classes will want them to go
out sooner in order to show off their moves. That's just how teenagers
think."
ANGELA FERGUSON, 55, from Crownhill: "Nowadays you can
buy padded bras for twelve-year-olds, and thongs for pre-teens. We need
to be fighting for traditional values."
GEMMA JARVIS, 22, from
Mainstone: "Girls today are growing up faster - people have to accept
it. It's not the fault of classes like this, it's the media. I really
don't see a problem with this as long as it's well monitored and
responsible. It's just a bit of fun."
STEWART CAMPBELL, 19, from
Estover, BEN LOVELESS, 19, from Roughborough and HANNAH SHEFFLER, 18,
from St Budeaux. Stewart said: "It's a bit young. It would be OK for
over 16s, but at 12 you're still too impressionable.
"Most girls interested in learning will be trying to be like the dancers on MTV, not just trying to stay fit."
Hannah:
"I've been to one of Sam's classes and she definitely teaches it as a
fitness thing. She tells you which muscles you're working while you're
doing it. I still think that 12-15 is too young though. You need to be
old enough to understand what you're doing."
JOHN SHANAHAN, 75,
from Crownhill: "I don't think there's anything wrong with this. As long
as it's done privately and people aren't allowed to watch. It's up to
the parents at the end of the day."
31 Comments
View all
by A, Wiltshire
Saturday, May 21 2011, 12:46PM
“It's a shame some people can't open their minds up to the gymnastic and dance ability pole dancing can have, and the confidence building. Pole fitness doesn't involve gyrating, or rubbing themselves up and down the pole but strength, tricks and flexibility. The girls that make it into promoting X Pole get to travel the world for free and promote pole fitness, and guess what...Their routines have no sexual move in it whatsoever, and aren't sexy in the slightest. It's just gymnastics and dance involving a pole....none of you would complain if it was the box or the floor work. I've seen girls go from having no confidence whatsoever, to not wanting to go out and meet people to having plenty of friends and showcasing their tricks in front of their friends and family - No strangers just people they know. This would be great to offer to teenager of both sexes especially when they are at an age where bullying for being overwieght and chubby occurs, and it will give them a lasting bunch of friends while helping prevent obesity. Like others have said if you don't like it don't send your kids there. If your considering it, go along and just see for yourself that it isn't the sexy exotic form of pole dancing but a gymnastic and awe inspiring form of fitness. I would have loved to do it when I was 12 - The splits would have been a heel of a lot easier to get into and I'm sure my mum would have allowed me to do it - both she and my grandparents thinks it amazing the tricks I manage to do and the strength and flexibility it's given me. One day pole fitness will not have that 'sexy connotation'. Pole dancing for exotic reasons in clubs doesn't earn you money these days and it won't in the future so things are slowly changing thankfully.”
by HolyMole, Plymouth
Saturday, May 21 2011, 11:22AM
“In response to Boris Napper...
Well your contribution of Janner and window licker comments really add to the intelligent discussion, thanks for that. If you could just put down the Daily Mail for a minute and climb down from your ivory lighthouse, you may want to listen to the grown-ups.
Firstly, Ken Clarke's comments highlighted a misunderstanding of the nature of sex crimes; that they are based in the removal of power, whether that be through a forcible action or denying an individual the right of consent as defined by our laws. I accept that he has climbed down and redefined his intention but nevertheless it reveals a fundamental gap in reasoning; as further demonstrated in his inability to sincerely apologise rather than bumble out a Boris Johnson-esque "what did I do?" However, we digress...
To Dick Barton, I would point out that neither peanut butter or any other spreadable are likely to form part of the curriculum and the buttocks of you and your children are safe. The pole is part of the equation because of the incredible amount of strength required to correctly use it. The type of strip club pole dancing you seem familiar with, as described by Janet Terror, is not what is being taught! Similarly, A.O.D aren't proposing the kids go on to perform publicly, but learn in a safe, supervised environment.
It is naive to think that sportwomen of any discipline aren't sexualised by the media; you only have to look at the portrayal of female tennis stars to see this. Similarly, as has been mentioned, music and TV already put an incredible amount of pressure on young girls to conform to body image ideals. Surely, it is better to allow them the opportunity to develop their own concepts of self image, power and identity through an activity that most men (including myself) would struggle with, rather than leave them to develop eating disorders and depression?
Also, did either of you actually watch the video above? If you could just push your penises out of the way for a minute and ignore that Sam is attractive; please consider the formidable strength, poise and skill required to do that performance then you may start to understand the issue.”
by Janet Terror, Stoke
Saturday, May 21 2011, 9:37AM
“@Dick Barton ¿ if we're taking it from you that 12 year olds can be sexy, do we need to send the police around to have a look at your hard drive? There may be plenty of ways to exercise, but many of them are team sports (no good if you are chronically shy as I was til about the age of 16) or just plain dull (running bleagh). Why does adding a pole to the dance make it sexual? It doesn't, but in strip clubs where the girls are wearing 7 inch heels and lingerie, they need to hold on to something to stop them falling over. How about you protest these clubs, rather than trying to make trouble for a woman who is good enough to try and sort out confidence and weight problems at a slightly younger age. Never having been a young girl (I'm assuming) Dick, I'm pretty sure you have no idea what it is like.”
by Emma, Plymouth
Saturday, May 21 2011, 9:01AM
“I suggest anyone who wishes to make extreme comments goes to a class and sees/tries exactly what they are objecting against. Atleast then they can make an informed argument. Both genders are welcome at classes and you would see none of the moves are sexual, they are gymnastic and strength building, no gyrating, no sleeze. Everyone who goes is pleasantly surprised. Of course there is stigma attached but this is rapidly declining as the pole fitness industry grows. The studios are a safe and positive environment, any doubts just check it out.”
by Emma, Somerset
Saturday, May 21 2011, 8:09AM
“You do not dress like a stripper. You have to wear hotpants and a sports top to be able to grip to the pole.
Both men and women can do pole fitness, some of the best pole fitness performers are men. Just most are put off by the stigmatism associated with it due to strip clubs, but this is not what groups like Sam teach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zrqu5TdyM4&feature=player_embedded
Pole fitness is similar to ballet and acrobatics, it teaches grace, strength, flexibility, and co-ordination. It is a valid form of fitness and for those of you who are sceptic, do not knock it until you have tried it.
For those of you who think that it will encourage young people to go out clubbing to show off what they have learnt, number one young people can not enter clubs anyway. Plus most pole fitness groups run showcases and demonstrations where they can show off what they have learnt to their friends and family. Also there are a number of amateur pole competitions and categories in competitions, where performers can compete in a friendly environment. Amateur means that they must have not been paid to pole dance in a club or been a gogo girl etc.
http://www.ukamateurpoleperformer.com/
http://www.poledivascompetition.com/
I think that Sam has done this in the right way, by having parents there for the first few sessions to put their mind at rest. They may even want to give it a go too!
With so many overweight children who think a packet of sweets, KFC or similar, a packet of biscuits every day the normal, we need to encourage alternative forms exercise. When I was at school I hated netball, football, long jump, high jump, and throwing sports, and I gave up running after hating being screamed at by coaches while training. It took me over 5 years and a friend to encourage me back to it. So fitness in a friendly environment is perfect for me and for a number of other men and women. Drop your preconceptions and give it a go, you never know you may love it!”
by Emma, Somerset
Saturday, May 21 2011, 8:08AM
“You do not dress like a stripper. You have to wear hotpants and a sports top to be able to grip to the pole.
Both men and women can do pole fitness, some of the best pole fitness performers are men. Just most are put off by the stigmatism associated with it due to strip clubs, but this is not what groups like Sam teach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zrqu5TdyM4&feature=player_embedded
Pole fitness is similar to ballet and acrobatics, it teaches grace, strength, flexibility, and co-ordination. It is a valid form of fitness and for those of you who are sceptic, do not knock it until you have tried it.
For those of you who think that it will encourage young people to go out clubbing to show off what they have learnt, number one young people can not enter clubs anyway. Plus most pole fitness groups run showcases and demonstrations where they can show off what they have learnt to their friends and family. Also there are a number of amateur pole competitions and categories in competitions, where performers can compete in a friendly environment. Amateur means that they must have not been paid to pole dance in a club or been a gogo girl etc.
http://www.ukamateurpoleperformer.com/
http://www.poledivascompetition.com/
I think that Sam has done this in the right way, by having parents there for the first few sessions to put their mind at rest. They may even want to give it a go too!
With so many overweight children who think a packet of sweets, KFC or similar, a packet of biscuits every day the normal, we need to encourage alternative forms exercise. When I was at school I hated netball, football, long jump, high jump, and throwing sports, and I gave up running after hating being screamed at by coaches while training. It took me over 5 years and a friend to encourage me back to it. So fitness in a friendly environment is perfect for me and for a number of other men and women. Drop your preconceptions and give it a go, you never know you may love it!”
by Brian, Mutley
Saturday, May 21 2011, 6:10AM
“Only in Plymouth, the Chav capital of the UK.”
by Dick Barton, Plymouth
Saturday, May 21 2011, 12:31AM
“Holy Mol, If young girls dancing around a pole will save this town then I¿d rather it not be saved. Is this what we have come to, is this how far we have fallen. Let them take the pole out of the equation and dance. If you need to ¿empower women through fitness and good body image¿ then I would question their mental state. Is your self esteem really that low? Pardon me while I go and ¿empower¿ myself by shaving my chest by rubbing peanut butter into my buttocks, it¿s complete nonsense. Don¿t tell me little girls are that down trodden that they have to go through this bull in order to increase self worth. I would have a serious word with your self if I was you.”
by Boris Napper, Eddystone Lighthouse
Friday, May 20 2011, 10:46PM
“Holy Mole,
You are a nutter and I claim my 10 pounds!
Ken Clarke was not wrong either - he was not right but unfortunately for him, there's a massive army of window lickers who are always poised to scream and voice their false indignation at the first opportunity. Too many people enjoy being outraged - I should know..I wake up bloody livid.
Now go and get yourself a windoleen flavoured icecream and button it
:)”
by Holy Mole, Plymouth
Friday, May 20 2011, 9:53PM
“You'd think Gary Streeter would have better sense than wade blindly into a sexuality discussion this week after Ken Clarke practically choked on his hush puppies with his foot in mouth gaff.
Whatever the origins of pole dance, cultural ideas evolve (as do we, Christians!). Are we to ban the maypole due to it's fertility origins?
From what I've heard of Art of Dance, it is a company that focuses on the empowerment of women through fitness and good body image. It's the guttural preconceptions of the detractors above that are being fought with such activities as this; refusing to allow women to be defined purely as sexual creatures but instead standing (or hanging!) proud of their fitness, strength and acrobatic skill. This is more like the Indian practice of malakhamb than exotic dancing.
Shouldn't we be praising a local, internationally successful sportswoman trying new methods of dealing with obese children? If it's good enough for the W.I., then I think the kids are safe.
Come on Plymouth, be proud of your pioneers - It's new ideas that will save this dying town!! And Mr Streeter - DO SOME RESEARCH FOR ONCE!!”