** social dancing








Boys' Social Dancing Costumes


Figure 1.--Here we see Soviet childre putting on a demonstration of the social dances hey hve learneda t school, probably in the 1970s.

The importance of ballroom damcing is that for years it was the principal form of social dancing. The basic four-step is the key to socil dancing. The most famous was the waltz. But several other dances like the fox-trot, tango and many others were very important. Learning these dances were an importnat part of any boy's ecucation be because dances were such an imprtant part of social interaction. Dances were organized by communities, churches, social clubs, and other social and civic organizations. Boys and girls would wear their best outfits for these groups. Children at different ages would participate depending on the type of dance and who was organizing it. There were also substantial differences among countries. These dances and the clothes worn have changed substantially over tume.

Importance

The importance of ballroom damcing is that for years it was the principal form of social dancing.

Dances

The basic four-step is the key to socil dancing. The most famous was the waltz. But several other dances like the fox-trot, tango and many others were very important.

Dances

Dances were organized by communities, churches, social clubs, schools, and other social and civic organizations. Boys and girls would wear their best outfits for these groups. Children at different ages would participate depending on the type of dance and who was organizing it.

Countries

There were also substantial differences among countries. This is a topic, however, that HBC has only begun to address. The clothing worn was usually a boys' best suit and thus to the extent images are available provide information on fashion differences between countries.

Chronology

These dances and the clothes worn have changed substantially over tume. The clothing worn at these dances provides insights into changing fashiins.

Dancing Lessons

Learning these dances were an importnat part of any boy's ecucation be because dances were such an imprtant part of social interaction. Learning to dance has been a nettlesome issue for many boys, much more interested in baseball and football. The girls looked forward with enthusiasm to dance class. Many boys, however, were sent off to dancing school only after considerable resistance to learn the box step. But learning the social graces, as any mother can tell you, was one of the necessary steps in growing up. Mothers for there part could never undrstand why boys objected so much to dancing lessons. After all, they remember the experience as girls and they had thoroughly enjoyed it. Many boys, however, often remember the experience with considerable distaste. Formal dancing lessons have become less common in the modern era. Many boys do, however, receive dancing lessons atschool. The private schools make a special effort in this area, but dancing lessons are also offered at many state schools.

Dancing Schools

Boys often at mom's urging have participated in various dance programs. For most boys it was for much of the 20th century learing social dancing--the joys of the box step por for the more adventuresome the Fox Trot. By the end of the 20th century this had become less common. Other boys participated in more formal fine arts or ethnic dancing programs. Relatively few boys have attended dancing school to learn classical dance, but many boys have attended dancing school to lear social dancing.





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Created: October 20, 2001
Last updated: October 20, 2001