ABSTRACT
Pole dance is a practice that comprises acrobatic strength and gymnastic movements combined with dance movements performed on a vertical metal bar. Characterised by two main realms—the exotic and sport/art—pole dance has historically been associated with nightclubs and striptease performances. However, pole dance has become part of mainstream fitness practices and is offered to people of all ages, including young children. In Brazil, Pole Kids is a forum for pole dancing for children from the age of 3 years. This chapter draws on qualitative research, comprising participant observation and semi-structured interviews with five Pole Kids instructors, to examine the conditions that make the teaching of pole dance to children possible. Noting that pole dancing has historically been erotically coded, the chapter focuses on the strategies that instructors have deployed to cleanse pole dance of sexual content. These strategies include the mechanisms of sportivisation, disciplinarisation, and the institutionalisation of “appropriate” clothing in a “peaceful” environment, where the pole is viewed as a respectable piece of equipment. Through this process, instructors seek to disassociate pole dance from sex and sensuality while positioning Pole Kids classes as appropriate for children and childhood.
