Dance, particularly ballet, is often 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.
University of Lincoln, College of Social Science
Helen Clegg, The University of Northampton
Helen Owton, The Open University
Jacquelyn Allen-Collinson, University of Lincoln, School of Sport and Exercise Science