Taken from our June 2012 issue writen by Sharna Swaby.
Is pole dancing now socially acceptable?
Attitudes towards pole dancing is changing and it is now regarded as an art rather than a sleazy activity. With talent shows such as Britain’s got talent and Got to Dance showcasing just how beautiful it can look, the stigma of going to pole dancing classes has almost evaporated.
“I have found that a lot more women have been joining pole fit classes. A lot of them have said they have been interested for a long time but were too embarrassed to come along. People don’t realise how long it takes to become a professional pole dancer and just how hard it is until they give it a go.” – Faye Chatterley, pole fitness instructor.
On the other end of the spectrum, attitudes have also improved to women that work as exotic dancers in gentlemen’s clubs.
“I’ve been dancing for about seven years. I used to get a lot of stick about it and called all the names under the sun. It’s different now, I even get a lot of women coming into the club with their partners. I think that people realise that it’s just a job – it’s not much different to dancing in a musical or having an office job.” – Frankie Jennings, Pole dancer.
Pole dancing is a misunderstood and stunning form of dance. It works on every part of your body while improving your strength. It seems that as society is changing so are the stereotypes that have been overshadowing it. Maybe sometime soon it will be on par with all the other performing arts.
