would you let your son take ballet lessons?

I agree with you...it must be a male thing to not want a son to do such a thing.If you sit back and think about it tho...do you think he will remain in this for the rest of his life?Probably not and if he does thats great also.Its something he enjoys and you wont know this untill he tries. Your husband has to give it a whirl and just at least let him try it.

Most certainly.... but as long as he favors it... never without his permission... If you like then it is better you get some lessons not him.... allow him into branch into something he likes... channel him slowly into things that you feel could be good for him..... if there is no interest, then don't pressurise him...

I personally don't like ballet, so would not be too happy if he took it up (simply because most schools of this kind have shows or competitions which parents would be expected to attend- and that could be one of my worst nightmares). I agree it would help with fitness and other things as well. There was once a U.K. wrestler who was also a ballet dancer, which seemed to help him to win some of his competitions.

I have always encouraged my son to do what makes him happy. I have always told him he could do anything he set his mind to. So if he wanted to take ballet lessons I would be there to support him.

Sure. It's a form of art and great exercise . I don't know if he would be able to stick with an activity that required such discipline, but if he wanted to , I would certainly encourage him. But I"m with you in that I'm not sure if my husband would feel the same LOL

I feel that ballet is just dancing their is nothing to be insecure abiut. I'm going to be starting a ballet class soon and I'm not gay or nothing like that I just would like to learn somr technique to apply in other styles of dancing.

I know some hockey players do this to help with their hockey. You are right it does help with balance etc.... If my son asked, I don't know what I would say. I just hope I don't have to cross that bridge. I also hope, I think before I speak and don't immediately say "What are you, a sissy?" I would definitely try to persuade him to play hockey (but in a suttle way....

Why not, if it is want he wants and enjoys. Our children should have a freedom to choose what they want to do in life, just as we have to allow them to make their own mistakes like the rest of us, but not without advice and guidance from parents. My daughter took up ballet, then later all other sorts of dances. Because of ballet, her posture is excellent and she has developed a lot of self-confidence.

My sons are past asking for ballet lessons. They have never asked me but I am sure if they wanted to I would let them. I don't think my husband would go for it. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. They have to have male dancers too!

It's actually only an anomaly in English speaking countries (or so I'm told). Only two of the male ballet instructors I ever had were American. The rest were of other nationalities. I once had an instructor from Armenia and he said in his country there were an equal number of boys and girls in his class. His reasoning was that here boys play sports, but in Armenia ballet was one of the few options for most of the boys if they wanted to do something athletic. I don't children but if I did eber had a son, I would never discourage it, but rather just the opposite. I know from my own dance career that none of those "ballet is only for girls" stereotypes are true anyway. And a lot of those male dancers are quite amazing!

I think that if a child shows a genuine interest in something, they should be encouraged to explore it-- as long as they are not endangering themselves or others in the process. I think some freedom to "self-discover" is an important part of an upbringing that creates healthy and balanced adults. And here's another thought: In the case of a boy being interested in ballet (for example) it becomes rather difficult to teach them a "life value" that stereotyping people based on superficial appearances is BAD... and then turning around and discouraging an interest in ballet because it may have certain stereotypes associated with it.

hey rachel i like your post i have to admit i don't have children yet but i had to respond and it goes like this: :) yes. ofcourse i will let my son take ballet lessons all you mentioned is true the balance and the flexibility the only thing you didn't mention and i think that is truely why you braught this subject up is: will the community that surronds you will be balanced and flexibile with her opinion about a boy learning ballet?.. well we all think we live in a modren world and we all have seen billy eliot that learned ballet became famouse and stayed straight (sorry if i am alil brutal in my descriptions) but even after the movie and the inelect modren lifestyle people have a hard time hearing that a boy is learning balllet..surely in israel they are.. but if you ask me: send him to ballet and teach him to cope with alote of problamatic remarks from people.that is a good preparation to life. hope i have helped here

My twin son went to ballet lessons, he went because his twin sister wanted to go to ballet, there was also another boy who did the ballet. The ballet was very good ofr my son as he was a bit clumsy and it helped him an awful lot. If anyone asked me about sending there son ot ballet I would say yes go for it

If it were my son, i would encourage him too- since ballet is a good hobby. it can help with posture and health. I guess i'd just encourage my children in whatever they want to do as long as it is not illegal and it would benefit them in some way.

I know as a parent you have to accept your children for whatever they are or whatever they want to be, but sometimes it is very hard. However, after seeing Billy Elliot, where the lad becomes a ballet dancer and the impact on his family and when he becomes a professional ballet dancer, surely the family would be proud? It's hypothetical for me but I like to think that yes I would accept that if his choice was to take ballet lessons I would support him.

I would let my son take the ballet lessons if he wanted to. He is older now, but the first time he went to a party where there was dancing, he said he danced like a beached whale having a convulsion. Knowing him, he would have wanted to take the ballet lessons so that he can meet girls. That has been his drving force in many of his decisions in life. I bought him and easy bake oven when he wanted one. Kids should be well rounded, if this broadens their horizons and gives them a bit of a different perspective on life ( Yes - ballet is an activity that requires the skill and endurance of even the most rigorous sport) then it is a good thing, even if they do not stick with it. Go watch Mr. Holland's Opus

Sure.. I don't see why it's such a touchy subject, any loving parent would allow they're kids to do what they want in the forms of excerise and hobbies. I wouldn't hold it against him and it wouldn't upset me or bother me. ~Joey

I would encourage my son to join if that is what he wanted. Not only does ballet provide all the things you mentioned but it also can teach social (how to interact with others)and teachs commitment, which are some of the qualities I really want my son to have.

I completely agree that there is some much possitive that could come from taking dance lessons. But my husband would absolutely not allow it. Even thought my husband is very into sports, and my son is showing similar signs, he just wont buy into the idea of it giving him more flexibility for sports.

Well, I think if he really wanted to take lessons then sign him up. If your husband disagrees then explain to him that if there were no male dancers, there would be no such thing as a partnering class or pas de deux(read as pa de do) or a dance with a male partner. I mean, what would ballet be without male dancers^_^? Maybe your son might end up like Angelo Corella or Liam Mower.