What Burlesque Can Teach Your Daughter
Burlesque is not the first thing that comes to mind
when I consider how to impart healthy self-esteem to girls. But Deirdre Timmons,
the director of A Wink and a Smile
Burlesque is not the first thing that comes to mind
when I consider how to impart healthy self-esteem to girls. But Deirdre Timmons,
the director of A Wink and a Smile
Dear TolaniLucia, each burlesque act has a story. The acts are not only about being sexy and “pleasing” men. Have you ever seen burlesque? Didn’t think so. Also, if you have ever seen the audience at a burlesque act there aren’t any creepy perverts, or a lot of men at that. This movie was showed for a bunch of women at an old folks home, and they looooved it. Burlesque is different in different places, so in some places you could see burlesque and it could be like stripping, where as in other places it is like old fashioned vaudeville.
I am the daughter of which everyone is discussing. I just want to add that watching these women struggle with themselves, but eventually overcoming their fears, and excepting themselves for who they are, has definetly not had a negative impact on my life. I do not want to become a burlesque dancer or a stripper, i still want to be a doctor.
I understand – and agree with – the comments about how burlesque is about bodies and sexiness as much as it is about anything else – and really, shouldn’t we be teaching young women that their bodies aren’t something that we value them for?
However, in a world where we do value sexiness and appearance very highly, and it’s clear that this is the case – I’m in support of burlesque for at least putting bodies out there that aren’t airbrushed and anorectic. Given the way America is today, I support this as a balancing influence.
I think I’m somewhat with Trixie (and maeby and Bunny) on this one. Isn’t it still objectifying women? I mean, I like looking at women’s bodies, but I don’t pretend that it’s artistic or empowering for them.
Hmm. I think the concept of burlesque, and the acceptance of all body types, is a good reason for young adult women (not young girls) to see this film. But judging from the professional dancers featured just in this trailer, it’s really pretty much erotic entertainment by model thin women with perky breasts. How different is that from music videos? I’d like to see the film, because of the first-person aspect with the ladies in the class, but I would never kid myself that it’s any different than the typical use of women’s bodies as entertainment or to sell tickets. Why do we always have to be on display??
I wish people would call Burlesque out for what it is. Stripping with feathers. I paint pin ups for a living and I am very familiar with the burlesque world. Familiar enough to know that there is nothing here for my daughter at a young age to learn about.Later perhaps.That will be her choice. But I always find it interesting that people can warp the history of a practice to suit their interest in it. Burlesque is a form of stripping hands down. It is as enlightening to women as bootie dancing or pole dancing. Yes these forms of dance can all be empowering in different ways but as adult entertainment should never be sought out sources of empowerment for our young daughters.
you should watch the first documentary done by HBO on the Velvet Hammer Burlesque Troop. They were the first to bring burlesque back from the dead.
WOW!!! They are of all shape and sizes and are amazing women… or get the
book on Amazon! : ) Michelle Carr of Jabberjaw fame ( for those who live in LA
and are 40ish or so…) started it in the early 90′s. wow, wow, double wow!!!
They so deserve their due for celebrating ALL women and changing so many
peoples mindsets. and i would love for my daughter to see that kind of sexuality than half the ads on tv or print these days! : )
what Bunny said.
Ultimately, it’s still about being sexy, feminine, and putting your body on display. Beats the Pussycat Dolls, but I’d love to see media for girls that demonstrates that they’re worth more than their sex appeal.