Essay on Body Image and Eating Disorders Among Young...

Ballet is a beautiful and romantic type of performance art. It originated in the Italian court systems in the 15th century (Jonas). Since its origination, ballet has undergone many changes and gained worldwide recognition. Filled with elaborate costumes, cheering audiences, lights, weightless movements and beauty; ballet is admired by many. On the magical stage ballerinas can become whoever they wan to be, and perform in a world of fantasy. For these reasons, children, especially little girls, all over the world dream of becoming ballerinas when they grow up. However, becoming a professional ballerina is an extremely difficult accomplishment, in which few will achieve (Kelso 1). The world of ballet may seem to be filled with glitz and†¦show more content†¦Dance is a â€Å"highly competitive, high-pressure and physically demanding profession† (Dunning). Ballet students are constantly monitored on their body weight. Most dance companies have what is called an â€Å"ap pearance clause† written into their contracts. This clause specifies that if a dancer gains an excessive amount of weight she could be released from the company (Kelso 2). For this, many dance companies and schools require that their students participate in frequent weigh-ins (Price and Pettijohn 991). Often times these weigh-ins are unannounced and the dancers are unaware of them. Their weight is recorded and even announced in front of other dancers in the class (Kelso). Through these weigh-ins, dance company directors and teachers constantly push their dancers to be extremely thin. If their weight is too high they will be pressured to loose it. Dancers can be both rewarded or punished based on their weight. A dancer could be rewarded by gaining a role in a ballet, and praised by the directors. On the other hand, if she did not loose the weight she could risk not being cast at all (Kelso). This constant monitoring, embarrassment and scrutiny of there weight cause the dance rs to be even more cautious about their weight. The reason that these dancers have to maintain such a low weight is due to the standards set by one individual. George Balanchine is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. One of the majorShow MoreRelatedThe Ballet Physique as Molded by Media Essay2346 Words   |  10 Pagesfactors behind body dissatisfaction, concerns about weight, and disordered eating behavior†( Levine, Murnen 2009). The media acts as an influential force where society’s views of body image and health are used to brainwash the minds of its consumers. The constant pressure exuded by the media affects many individuals in society. Whether it is an ad on a passing bus, or a commercial broadcasted into family homes, the media finds its way to penetrate and convey certain perceptions of body and healthRead More Eating Disorders and Ballet - Anorexia Nervosa is Eating the Soul of Young Dancers3494 Words   |  14 PagesEating Disorders and Ballet - Anorexia Nervosa is Eating the Soul of Young Dancers The applauding audience, the lights, sequins and feathers, the colorful, elaborate tutus, and satin pointe shoes capture the hearts of young girls. Where else can a young girl dream of becoming a princess, a swan, a dancing snowflake or flower, or a sugarplum fairy? Where else can she be a fairy tale character like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty? Where else can she be rescued by her handsome princeRead MoreSelf Image With Dancers : Dancers2726 Words   |  11 PagesSelf Image with Dancers Dancers present themselves with a certain level of confidence, this psychological tool we use against nature to mold our bodies and minds into something we may not be. Dancers are driven to believe that their body standards are set to a certain standard, or to a certain type of â€Å"skinny†. Where this idea is driven by and how far the idea comes forward in present day today should be looked at with the most consideration. The psychological effect of dancers who thinkRead MoreHistorical Definitions of Beauty Essay2392 Words   |  10 Pagesthat was pleasant to the eye. Although beauty varies among different cultures and areas, people who are younger, with average looking symmetrical features, well proportioned bodies, along with some combination of inner beauty, are considered beautiful. The more average a persons’ features are to society the more attractive that person appears to be. Charles Darwin’s cousin, Francis Galton, was the first to notice this when he overlaid images of vegetarians and criminals to see if there were typical