Is Steppin' Too Toxic For Our Children? Back

Jun 23, 2010



By Cynthia Robinson (MSBU. SOD.)

Considering all of the negative situations the adults of the dance community carry, is the dance itself too negative to expose to our children?

These questions were posed to me as a discussion point for the steppin community. As a parent of a teenage girl, I speak from a place of experience and prior consideration. Remembering back to my first steppin lessons many years ago, I recall coming home and my then, preteen daughter, would serve as my partner as I practiced left and right turns holding her hands. I wanted her to learn what I was learning and experience the fun I was having.

Now, here we are present day and I still want new and positives experiences for her. So is steppin too toxic to expose her to? My answer is no. The negative energy that is within the dance community is within that individual and not the dance. Also, the negative situations that come up in the steppin community is not unlike any other community of people. If a child is interested in poetry, singing, or skating there is potential to be exposed to others who carry the same negative energy present in dance communities. Any community of people have the possibility to be toxic if there are toxic individuals present. So, the problems faced within any group of people can be toxic to children; it's not exclusive to steppin.

Without getting into a whole discussion on raising children; it's my opinion, that a child's first 'community' should be of relatives, friends, and/or neighbors that nurture them early on. The steppin or any other community can't take that away from them, despite the possibility of controversy.

Don't get me wrong, I see and realize what is harmful and destructive within the steppin community. The thought of my daughter being subject to personal attacks, backstabbing or anything else already seen and heard of, would make me want to shield her and come to her defense. As a community, we have room for growth in how we interact and react to each other. As a matter of fact, for the positive future of steppin we should teach more children in the hopes they will learn from a place of innocence and positively shape the how individuals, instructors and dancers interact with each other.

Unfortunately, my daughter was not interested in Steppin or any other partner dance. Maybe in ten years she'll be interested. And maybe in ten years, the question of steppin being toxic would be unimaginable to think of.

What are your thoughts?