I (17F) am currently in my junior year of high school! My freshman year I joined a step team, which is a form of dance consists of stomping, clapping, etc to create rhythm. It was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot. However, after inviting my parents to my schools step show, they have disliked it. They made me quit and I haven’t done it for two years now. My dad is the one who really hates it, but refuses to tell the reason why because I’m too young to understand. I suspect that it has to do with racism as step is mostly dominated by black people. My mom once said that she doesn’t want me doing it because it doesn’t match our family’s image (whatever that means). It makes even more confusing as we are African American ourselves.
As I mentioned, my dad is the one who hates step. Every time I mention it, he gets really angry and stops talking to me. I fear bringing it up because when my dad gets angry, the whole family’s mood gets ruined.
Anyways, as next year I’m going to be a senior and really want to step. Could y’all give me some advice on how I should go about this?
Comments
Thank you u/Substantial-Pen5689 for posting on r/AskParents. All post titles must be in the form of a question.
Posts that do not conform to the subreddit rules are subject to removal at the discretion of a moderator.
Remember to read the rules and report rule breaking posts.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Is the dancing in any way inappropriate?
My mom wouldn’t let me do dance classes either when I was growing up, and as disgusting as it is, it’s because the choreography was way too mature for children, and in hindsight and what I’ve seen dance instructors tell CHILDREN to do, I agree with her decision.
I don’t know the choreography of what you were taught, but I really doubt it’s racism given that your family is African-American. However, you are still a minor, if what they were teaching you was not appropriate, then maybe you should try to find a different dance class.
Maybe try asking them why you’re not allowed, this is just a theory based on my own observations in my own town, so I might be wrong, but you are going to have to understand your parents reasoning behind their decision. Then go from there.
If they won’t tell you, then maybe try asking if you could take a different dance class, something that they would be more comfortable with. Although given the fact that you are 17, I feel like you are old enough to know why.