Figure 1.--These Scottish boys are praticing coutry dancing at their preparatory school. The boys interest in dancing is significantly affected by how it is presented to them. Two boys here wear their normal kneesocks while one boy wears the heavier kneesocks worn with his kilt.

Private schools often give great emphasis to the social graces. This is especially true at the more exclusive private schools catering to children from affluent families. Thus they have traditionally placed a greater emphasis on dancing lessons than private schools. Patterns vary over time and between coutries. There have been changes in recent years. Dancing lessons at British preparatory schools (elementary level private schools) were rare in the 1950s. Elementary age children, even youbnger teenagers did not normally go to dances. Boys generally received dancing lessons when they went on their public schools (secondary level private school). By the 1980s, almost all preparatory schools provide dancing lessons to the children. Often the girls are given lessons in ballet and other types of dance. Usually the boys do not participate, but there are some intrepid souls at a few schools. The boys are given lessons in social dancing and in some schools folk dancing. Scottish boys, for example, are taught Highland dancing. American boys learn square dancing. Even the social dancing is sometimes not well received by the usually well-behaved boys at private school. One groups of American boys at a unidetified school virtually rebelled aginst a strict dancing master, Mr. William de Rham in the 1970s.

Social Graces

Private schools often give great emphasis to the social graces. This is especially true at the more exclusive private schools catering to children from affluent families. Thus they have traditionally placed a greater emphasis on dancing lessons than private schools--especially lessons in social dancing.

Religious Beliefs

Not all private schools placed this emphasis on social graces and dances. Some private schools sponsored by strict protestant sects placed not such importance on dance, some openly disapproved of dancing.

Chronology

Patterns have varied over time. The popularity of dancing and dance styles have varied over time. There have been changes in recent years. Dancing lessons at British preparatory schools (elementary level private schools) were rare in the 1950s. Elementary age children, even younger teenagers did not normally go to dances. Boys generally received dancing lessons when they went on their public schools (secondary level private school). By the 1980s, almost all British preparatory schools provide dancing lessons to the children. The type of school was also a factor. Private schools in America, Britain, and other countries were once single gender schools. Many boys' schools, but not girl's schools, in the 1970s and 80s became coeducational schools. HBC does not, however, fully understand the impact of this change on dance instruction.

Gender Differences

Often the girls are given lessons in ballet and other types of dance. Ballet is not of course a purely girls' dance form. The fact is, however, thatthe vast proprtion of children taking ballet were girls. Usually the boys do not participate, but there are some intrepid souls at a few schools. There are no dance types specifically for boys. The boys do, however, participate in coed lessons or at all boy schools in dance types appropriate for social dances. Even the social dancing is sometimes not well received by the usually well-behaved boys at private school. One groups of American boys at a unidetified school virtually rebelled aginst a strict dancing master, Mr. William de Rham in the 1970s.

National Differences

Many schools provide lessons in folk dancing. These dances, of course vary from country to country. Scottish boys, for example, are taught Highland dancing. American boys learn square dancing. We know less about other countries, but presumably private schools in Greece, Germany, Mexico, and other countries provide lessons on their national folk dances. Folk costume are often worn at formal events where these dances are performed. Scottish boys studying country dancing often wear their kilts even when they are just practicing. Very young boys are often interested in dancing, bit older boys are often less interested. In some cases boys are more willing tom participate in folk dancing than many other dance forms.