It’s A Big Deal!

I wrote an article about the hypersexualization of children in dance that was released in a scholarly publication in May 2025 from ‘Dignity Magazine’. The title? ‘The Shift in Children’s Dance: From a Culture of Innocence to a Battlefield of Hypersexualization’.

What and who is Dignity Magazine? Let’s find out:

“The University of Rhode Island is home to “Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence,” an online, open access, non-profit journal that started publication in 2016. The journal is hosted on Digital Commons at the University of Rhode Island. It focuses on the analysis of exploitation and violence, with a commitment to creating an open environment for learning and discussion on these important issues. The editorial board consists of a diverse group of internationally known academics, professionals, practitioners, and advocates who are experts in the analysis of exploitation and violence. Donna M. Hughes is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence. She is a Professor Emerita and held the Eleanor M. and Oscar M. Carlson Endowed Chair in Women’s Studies at the University of Rhode Island. She is also an international researcher of sex trafficking and forms of sexual exploitation.”

Now read why the article I wrote is A Big Deal: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1458&context=dignity

“While research affirms the lifelong benefits of healthy dance, the American Psychological Association (2008) has identified the consequences of hypersexualization in children’s media and activities. These consequences include mental health disorders such as depression and eating disorders, as well as poor academic performance, body dysmorphia, body dissatisfaction, early sexualization, increased risk of abusive relationships, the normalization of porn culture, cognitive impairments, long-term psychological trauma, and diminished self-esteem.”

I go on to say:

“The American Psychological Association report says sexualization occurs when:

• a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics;

• a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness (narrowly defined) with being sexy;

• a person is sexually objectified — that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or

• sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person.

In a hypersexualized children’s dance environment, the definition above is particularly concerning. Dance routines and attire can lead to children being viewed and treated as sexual objects, both by themselves and others. The internalization of sexualized messages can cause girls to perceive themselves primarily through a sexual lens, undermining their self-worth and identity development (Dance Awareness, 2020).”

So all of the researched outcomes from hypersexualized dance demonstrate that harmful dance robs children of childhood.

Friends, that means that DA:NCE advocacy is not theory. It demands action. Action from DA:NCE and action from YOU. For example, if you google articles on the hypersexualization of children in dance, you will see publications from DA:NCE Awareness: No Child Exploited listed as the source. Note that if an article was not released by DA:NCE, it is often an article from another organization that uses DA:NCE as the foundation for its research. DA:NCE brings light about this topic to a dark culture. Look on google search for yourself:  https://www.google.com/search?q=articles+on+the+hypersexualization+of+children+in+dance&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS752US752&oq=articles+on+the+hypersexualization+of+children+in+dance&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCjExNTc4ajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBVkxB4LtUpaj&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Why have we allowed this trend? Children, like adults, deserve dignity. They may not be fully grown but they are fully human. 

So…..expect newly created DA:NCE resources and continued advocacy on this topic. Spoiler alerts: 1-The Leslie Scott Trailblazer Award. We plan to reward organizations/ individuals choosing to speak out on this issue. 2-Do you like Tech? Gather your friends together and create a reel on this topic to submit to our staff.

Now for the obvious. Join the DA:NCE team. Sign up for the DA:NCE Coalition. Nominate dance studios/organizations for the Healthy DA:NCE Directory. Participate in ‘My DA:NCE Why’. Get the DA:NCE newsletter. Sign up to be a volunteer. Donate to this cause. It’s A Big Deal.

Remember, DA:NCE raises the need for our culture to be educated about the differences between healthy and harmful dance. Practical solutions. Informed choice.   

”Every child deserves the joy of dance without the burden of adult themes. The solution is not to remove children from dance but to return dance to its rightful place: a celebration of movement, creativity, and childhood innocence.”