Abstract
The sexualization of girls, currently pervasive in our society, has entered the field of dance education with a vengeance. This critical issue is so ubiquitous as to have become normalized. After examining the dangers of sexualization, this article presents a curriculum that places girls at the center of the dance-making process. Readers gain tools to design nonsexualized, creative dance programs for private studios with the goal of empowering girls through the use of creativity, somatic education, and identity. Although much of what is written could also be applied to K–12 dance programs, the focus of this article is on the private sector of dance education.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The comments from students and faculty of Barefoot Dance Center were made between 2008 and 2019. Written permission was received from each person quoted, including parents of students who were minors. All students have been given pseudonyms.