Competitive dance provides young girls with the chance to be both active and artistic while engaging socially with other children their age with similar passions. While dance is great for a lot of things such as social skill development, competitive sports experience and a consistent active routine, aspects of the sport itself can implement a toxic and unhealthy body image in girls from a young age.
Competitive dance is the most popular girl sport next to hockey and soccer which are of equivalent popularity among boys. Behind the curtain, there is a toxic culture surrounding body shaming, unhealthy eating habits and a general negative body image.
This culture is often made worse by teachers. Abigail Richards, a former competitive gymnast and dancer, says teachers can contribute to body shaming.
“Teachers are directly commenting on the way you position your body and telling you to suck in your stomach,” Richards says.
At school, young girls don’t often think about whether their stomach is sticking out or if their legs look too fat. Once girls have to consistently wear skin-tight leotards and outfits that can accentuate everything a young girl doesn’t like about herself, they can start to perceive certain aspects of themselves negatively.
It is common practice for dance studios to have floor-to-ceiling mirrors at the front of the room so the dancers can correct themselves and make sure everyone’s following along or doing the steps properly. Studio owners and dancer teachers may overlook the effect this practice can have on young dancers, especially those who are shy or not confident.
“Mainly, it’s constantly having mirrors in front of you that promotes a negative body image, and the fact that taller or larger people are always at the back while smaller people are at the front,” explains Mara Maione, a former competitive dancer of 10 years.
When the smaller and skinnier kids are constantly put at the front of dances, it could make those dancers who are at the back think their body size is what holding them back from the spotlight.
“[It’s a] constant comparison to other people with a set standard of an ideal body type that is used as the baseline expectation,” adds Kira Easdon, a former competitive dancer of 13 years.
Teachers who specialize in disciplines like ballet and jazz tend to promote the skinny, lean ballet dancer figure whether intentionally or subconsciously. However, it influences these dancers subconsciously.
“You start at such a young age and it becomes ingrained in your perspective of self-image,” Easdon says. “How you feel you should look [is] successful and praised.”
When young girls are told to suck in their stomachs and then compared to those who are skinnier or smaller than them, it puts negative images and body perceptions in their heads.
“I don’t think body image is a positive or negative thing. We all have our moments and we all have things we would like to improve upon,” says Jen Carter, a Toronto-based dance teacher and former competitive dancer.
However, for some young dancers, comparing themselves to others is not the issue –– it’s the treatment they receive from their teachers, who are supposed to be their role models in the studio.
When you have a teacher who isn’t supportive and isn’t motivating you, it can be hard for young dancers to feel confident in the studio.
“The ultimate battle is with yourself regarding your mindset,” Carter adds. “If you have an educator who is both understanding and aware, it is easier to stay on the positive end internally.”