A dance studio in Canada is launching a pole dancing fitness class for children, which has sparked some not-so-surprising controversy. The teachers say the class is fitness-based, with no sexy styling. “The kids’ class is aimed at climbing and holding,” says Twisted Grip Dance and Fitness owner Kristy Craig. “I’m not teaching them any sexual moves.”
But is it really possible to have pole dancing without the stripper stigma? Even by their pre-teen years, kids are surely at least vaguely familiar with the practice. Critics of the class have even voiced concerns that having this sort of dance experience could lead to some less-than-appropriate job offers down the line.
On the other hand, pole dancing is on the rise as an adult workout class, so maybe it really can establish itself as purely a dance fitness pursuit.