Dance classes, youth cultures and public health

Abstract

Young people's dancing, in association with popular music cultures, has been the focus of a considerable amount of research. However, less attention has been paid to adolescents' and young adults' involvement in structured dancing experiences. This paper explores, in a preliminary way, some of the issues that make dance class participation both an undervalued and, at the same time, significant aspect of contemporary youth cultures with the potential to give new direction to public health initiatives.