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Greetings, fellow
dancers! This week I would like to give my ever-so-humble
opinion on this week's "question of the week",
asked by the PDF (The Professional Dancer's Federation).
I would like to thank the PDF for asking Dance Trends
readers to give their input on several issues. I think
it says a lot of an organization that it seeks opinions
and viewpoints from a variety of people in their industry.
Way to go, PDF! Ok, so here is the question:
Should the minimum age to be
considered as a professional dancer/instructor be:
16 | 18 | Don't care
Recently, the NDCA changed the age requirement for
professionals to sixteen. I will tell you right up
front that I am totally against this change. Now,
maybe it is because I am looking at this from the
perspective of a parent. I have a sixteen year old
son and two young daughters, who in a few years will
be teenagers themselves. Yes, it is true that when
a young adult turns sixteen, they are allowed to work
full time in many businesses...but in a dance studio?
Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule. For
example, a possible exception could be made for teens
who have parents who own a dance studio. I would assume
that these teens would be under the guidance and protection
of their parents. On the other hand, does the NDCA
really want to be responsible for any wrong doing
done to a young adult who is taken advantage of by
a crooked studio owner? Do they really want to sanction
a sixteen year old possibly being put in this position?
There are many, many good people in this business,
but there are also, just like any business, bad people
looking to take advantage of kids who are not mature
enough to handle themselves in an adult setting. There
are many fine studios that have excellent programs
for children. Although dancesport for kids is truly
on the rise, most studios, overall, are for adults.
As a parent, I am responsible for
my children until they are 18 years old. They are
considered to be a minor until this age. That is the
law in the United States. There is so much growing
and changing that occurs between the ages of 16 and
18. At this age, kids are really transitioning between
teenhood and adulthood. It is important that their
experiences be appropriate for their age. It could
be argued that many kids at this age are doing many
of the things that adults are able to do, so why not
just call them adults? They may have the body of an
adult, they may smoke or drink, (or do any other behavior
considered "adult like"). Frankly, if they
choose to do these things, I would rather they did
it with someone their own age rather than an older
adult who is promising them the next world title!
If children at this age are making these kinds of
choices, I think they are being premature. Let's face
it, a sixteen year old mind is no match for and adult
mind. You and I both know that if an adult wanted
to take advantage, they would have the edge. Let's
turn back the hands of time. Remember when you were
16? Remember when you knew it all? If you think back,
you may remember THINKING you knew it all at this
age, only to mature and realize how young you were.
I think children of this age still need adult protection.
Does the NDCA really want this responsibility? I think
that they may be opening the door for trouble by recognizing
sixteen year olds as adults in a country that does
not. All it will take is one, one kid taken advantage
of. One parent upset because their child was taken
advantage of.
So, what's the solution? I think
the rule is too vague. How about a rule with some
conditions? First of all, I think a parental consent
form should be a must, at the very least. Remember,
parents are still responsible at this age. If they
give their full permission, the parent is acknowledging
approval of their child's chosen profession. Are kids
able to choose their profession at this age? Some
definitely can, they know for sure that dancing will
be their life. I understand that, I just think we
have to be very careful of putting the label of "adult"
on someone who is not quite there yet. At the very
least, I think the National Dance Council of America
should seek legal advice on the pros and cons of implementing
such a rule.
Dan
Messenger
05-21-2001
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