Figure 1.-- Children from affluent families were sent to dancing school in the first decade of the 20th century. (We're less sure about the 19th century. These children were photographed in Indianapolis in 1907. They are dressed in fancy-dress costumes in preparation for some sort of performance featured by the class. They seem to be wearing their ordinary dress-up clothes modified mainly by fancy hats. The boys are wearing the usual knee pants of the period, although a few boys seem to have knickers. Notice the use of white long stockings on the boy seated on the steps at the right margin of the picture. White stockings were considered especially dressy, especially for younger boys. Many of the boys, however, wear black long stockings. Dancing school classes were held to teach children deportment, etiquette, good manners, and civilized behavior as well as dance steps, and the boys and girls were always taught to wear their most formal party clothes.

American boys have been involved in dance to varying degrees and have worn a variety of dance costumes. Our information on dance is still very limited. Hopefully readees will be able to provide more detailed information. Many American boys participated in dances in the 18th and 19th centuries which are now seen as folk dancing. Some religious groups objected to dancing as too sensuous. Some boys did modern or interperative dance at the urging of their mothers in the early 20th century. Often they did not care for it at all. The economic expansion of the late-19th century greatly expanded the American middle class. Many mothers with newly acquired social status wanted their sons taught social graces. Thus it became increasingluy common to send children to dancing classes, in many cases against theor will. Dancing school classes were held to teach children deportment, etiquette, good manners, and civilized behavior as well as dance steps. Balet was less popular in America than Europe, but tap fancing was popularized by Shirley Temple. Boys also did ethnic dancingm including German, Greek, Irish, Native American, Scottish, and others. Many children learned Werstern folk dancing in school. Teenagers enjoyed the many popular social dances that appeared throughout the 20th century. Currently there is a revival of tap dancing as well as break dancing.

Chronology

American boys have been involved in dance to varying degrees and have worn a variety of dance costumes. Our information on dance is still very limited. Hopefully readees will be able to provide more detailed information. Many American boys participated in dances in the 18th and 19th centuries which are now seen as folk dancing.

Religious Objections

Some religious groups objected to dancing as too sensuous. Some boys did modern or interperative dance at the urging of their mothers in the early 20th century. Often they did not care for it at all. This view was particularly pronounced among Protestant fiundamentalist churches.

Dancing Schools

The economic expansion of the late-19th century greatly expanded the American middle class. Many mothers with newly acquired social status wanted their sons taught social graces. Thus it became increasingluy common to send children to dancing classes, in many cases against theor will. Dancing school classes were held to teach children deportment, etiquette, good manners, and civilized behavior as well as dance steps. This tradition declined after the 1960s as formal dance and manners became less popular with teenagers. Dancing schools did not disappear, but instead appealed to formal dance desciplines rather than social dancing. Nost of the interested students were girls. Balet became a major activities for girls. Tap was very popular in the 1920s abd 30s. We also note an interest in Irish step dancing among the Irish community.

Dance Types

Balet was less popular in America than Europe, but tap fancing was popularized by Shirley Temple. Boys also did ethnic dancingm including German, Greek, Irish, Native American, Scottish, and others. Many children learned Werstern folk dancing in school. Teenagers enjoyed the many popular social dances that appeared throughout the 20th century. Currently there is a revival of tap dancing as well as break dancing.

Created: 7:24 PM 9/11/2007
Last updated: 7:24 PM 9/11/2007