Pole dancing classes for British children cancelled after uproar

AFP ^ | Thu, Nov 11, 2004

[presidio9]

A plan to teach British children the risque art of pole dancing, usually the preserve of strip bars, has been cancelled after an uproar from child welfare groups, the teacher said.

Dance teacher Sarah Davis announced pole dancing classes for children over 12 at her studio in Birmingham, arguing it was a demanding activity which would improve fitness.

The routine -- at least, the version seen in late-night joints -- usually involves a scantily-clad female draping her limbs around a pole in a sequence of highly suggestive poses.

But the children's charity Childline, which campaigns on behalf of abused and at-risk youngsters, condemned the lessons.

"At the least this is misguided, at worst it's an outrage," said its chief executive Carole Easton.

"There are hundreds and thousands of other, much more appropriate ways in which children can keep fit, enjoy sport and dance."

Davis said that because of the outcry, she had decided to restrict classes to adults only.

[cwiz24]

WTF?

[mattdono]

I didn't realize that Bill Clinton was that involved in the British school curriculum. How about that? I guess he really does care about the children.

[nuconvert]

Sick.....what more can one say?

[Nachum]

Oh I was confused, I thought they meant they were teaching the kids "Polish" dancing.

[Fiddlstix]

Speechless...

[LizardQueen]

What parent would enroll their kids in this? Is there really a demand for 12 year old pole dancing classes?

LQ

[Cronos]

Hooray for ole Blighty!

[The_Republican]

What has happenned to Britain?

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

It has to take considerable strength and agility to do a pole dance, but how did the obvious sexual imagery escape this idiot? Or did it?

[RedWhiteBlue]

I'm sure there are some disappointed little girls, like Madonna's daughter Lola (Lourdes). Madonna has probably already enrolled her before the cancellation.

[newgeezer]

{riff}

    Sincerely,
    -- A. Lung

[Mr. Mojo]

[r9etb]

What parent would enroll their kids in this? Is there really a demand for 12 year old pole dancing classes?

You should see some of what passes for "dancing" these days. For hip-hop dance classes, little girls learn some moves that make the absence of a pole irrelevant.

[jjmcgo]

It's for the children!!!

[Grendel9]

And I thought it was a form of the MAYPOLE celebration!
Boy, am I a Victorian! <>g<>

[TChris]

...and this "teacher" is allowed within 100 yards of children???

[Former Dodger]

I wonder how many signed up thinking they were going to learn the Polka and other folk dances...

[Lockbar]

"I didn't realize that Bill Clinton was that involved in the British school curriculum. How about that? I guess he really does care about the children."

Haven't you heard? There is going to be a annual pole dancing festival every year at the giant Porno Bookstore Bill is opening in Little Rock.

[presidio9]

ping

[Larry Lucido]

This is outrageous. They shouldn't be teaching pole dancing until they are at least 18.

[yarddog]

I thought the exact same thing.

My immediate reaction was, why is dancing around a may poll considered risque?

[DannyTN]

Teaching 12 year olds pole dancing is outrageous.

But maybe we should make women pass a pole dancing class after applying for a marriage license.

[Fierce Allegiance]

"Some things just ain't right" ping.

[netmilsmom]

The only acceptable Pole Dance!

[Always Right]

Scott Ritter was deeply saddened....

[Fierce Allegiance]

They should at least wait until they have a dorm room of their own before pole dancing.

[itsahoot]

What has happenned to Britain?

1776

All the misfits and criminals were either exiled to australia or fled to the Colonies. They occupy the Red states today.

[tonycavanagh]

Before everyone gets excited we don’t know the full facts, I have read many a sky is falling story in the press only to find out that reality had nothing to do with what’s reported.

This dance teacher has probably taken some of the moves and turned them into a dance routine that works on fitness suppleness and stamina.

Ballet involves moves that could be seen as erotic, so could gymnastic routines.

Cheers Tony

[trisham]

And I thought it was a form of the MAYPOLE celebration! Boy, am I a Victorian! <>g<>

**************

I thought the same thing. I am a doddering old thing, though.

[John Will]

For a second there I thought it dealt with Polish dance.

[Bookem_Danno]

"You should see some of what passes for "dancing" these days. For hip-hop dance classes, little girls learn some moves that make the absence of a pole irrelevant."

I agree r9, I belonged to a health club that had a dance studio connected to it. I would never allow my daughter to take 'dance' lessons of the type offered at this place. Very suggestive moves for pre-teen girls while their mothers looked on and smiled.

[NeoCaveman]

those crazy Brits

[presidio9]

[The Iceman Cometh]

[Caipirabob]

The sponser who paid for the poles for the dance class, one Mr. Peter Phyle, stated he "couldn't understand the lack of tolerance" but under further questioning decided to issue no further comments.

[B4Ranch]

Pole dancing, like almost everything else is easier to learn the younger you are. This is a career move for many of these kids. Instead of becoming clerks and administrators in boring offices they will have the chance to work in an exciting enviroment!

[Redbob]

"What parent would enroll their kids in this? Is there really a demand for 12 year old pole dancing classes?"

Among Arabs and other Islamists.

[ladyjane]

I thought they were talking about MAYPOLE dancing too! and figured the Islamists didn't like it or there was something bad about it that I didn't know. 12 yo pole dancing? it's the world gone mad.

[dangus]

I don't get what the problem is. 0:^)>+

[muslims=borg]

I bet a lot of these parents who signed their kids up didn't even know what the hec it was.

[jetson]

[ZOOKER]

In the Brits' defense, I see no mention of this being a PUBLIC school. Parents may pay for the privilege of their childs attendance, or not, as they wish.

I agree it's the height of stupidity to start your daughter on this career path, but stupidity is not a crime. Jon Benet Ramsey's parents weren't too bright either.

[investigateworld]

Two drink minimum cover?

[gopwinsin04]

It takes a villiage..of imbecilies!

[gopwinsin04]

[dangus]

Actually, the big irony:

The maypole was a mating ritual. Just back then, there were a few intermediate steps. (marriage, etc.)

[Docbarleypop]

My question about his library is can i use quarters or do i have to purchase tokens?

[dangus]

I don't get it.

[TheBigB]

Scott Ritter is deeply saddened.