Background Dancing, in general, has been part of human life ever since. Mostly dancing is done as part of a celebration, but there are also dances for mourning and some are performed for religious purposes and still other dances are performed for self-expression.
According to Katrina Hazzard-Gordon, (1990. p3) It is not only a routine communal activity, but an integral part of ceremonies that bind groups together as a people. It links one's personal identity to that of the group; events throughout the life cycle of the individual and the community are commemorated in dance: fattening house dances, fertility dances, and rite-of-passage dances.
There are different dances, some are free form where the dancer can do any move to express feelings of emotions as in interpretative dance, while there dances that follow a certain routine that makes it different from the others.
Dances with a certain set of movement include the classics like “tango”, “waltz”, “flamenco”, “swing”, “foxtrot” and the modern dances like “twist”, “boogie”, “rumba” and others.
But among the present youth, another kind of dance has become so popular. It is called street dancing. This dance mania is in rhythm with rap music that has become favorite among the youth. In street dancing, the moves are very different from the classic dance that we now call “ballroom dancing” or even “ballet”.
Street dancing needs a lot of energy and coordination. It also entails muscular strength as its movements include headstand, handstand and even jumping and walking on the dancers hand.
It also involves a lot of tumbling, jumping and lifting that the dancers really have to be very strong to perform all those dance steps that are really more complicated compared to classics and other modern dances.
According to A.H. Franks, Routledge and K. Paul. (1963: 1) Dance can be defined as rhythmic human movement performed as an outlet for or an expression of ideas or emotions.
These facts made the researchers decide to study the influence of dance in the behavior of selected groups in Metro Manila.
The researchers would like to find out why our target respondents is getting very attracted to dancing when it really require a lot of physical movement. After completing a whole dance routine, a dancer may be very exhausted with all the energy sapped by the vigorous and rapid movement required in the dance steps.
So what makes dancing attractive and seems addicting to some people today? How this craze about dancing came about and why there are those who embrace with passion. Dancing has even become a way of life because it has become a tool for socializing and exercise to some people.
This study would also look into the behavioural pattern of the group who are into dancing and see if it has any influence in their behaviour, lifestyle or even habits. In other words, the researchers would like to know what influence has dancing brought to the life of the respondents.
Finding the mystery behind the popularity of dancing is really the driving force that led to the researchers’ decision to look deeper into this phenomenon. This study is about finding some answers to the questions about dancing particularly its influence to the lifestyle of the dancers.
Rationale
The group’s interest in dancing made this research possible as we see the benefits and new opportunities for the study. This was intended to analyze and observe all potentials of dancing especially on character development among children, youth, and elderly. The study generally discusses the art and kinds of dances popular within the researchers’ chosen respondents. Hence, the research is divided into subtopics, which would further elaborate the substantial effects of dancing as part of the intended purpose. These subtopics would also assist the idea for comparison and contrast regarding specific dances and age groups essential for the study.
For long consecutive years, the Miriam Institution supported various dance groups as representatives for competitions, showdowns, and charity concerts. The school has also involved its employees by allowing them to form dance groups on some special campus events. Moreover, inline with the school’s appreciation for dance culture, all of the college freshmen are tasked to join the annual dance competitions such as cheer dancing and dance kinetics. The objectives mainly include honing personal and social skills of the students.
Dance is an extension of a social culture wherein people engaged in such made it as a past time and cure for social isolation. This research is eager to expand past studies to fit the present ideals and conceptions in dancing. The approach of the study would primarily depend on interviews supported by recent data and findings. Nevertheless, the group chooses to pursue the study to rationalize that dancing is not just a past time but also an opportunity in gaining benefits and improved lifestyle within the selected target groups.
Statement of the Problem
Our present research aims to answer the problem: How do specific kinds of dances influence the lifestyle of selected age groups in Metro Manila?
We also aim to answer the following questions:
1. Why do our target respondents choose to engage in such dances given their age groups?
2. How do street dancing, ballet dancing and ballroom dancing affect the respondents given that they engage in such activity?
3. What could be the probable reasons why they chose to engage in such discipline?
Statement of Objectives:
This study aims to dissect the influence of dancing among selected age groups in Metro Manila. The researchers have these following objectives.
- To know how dance in general and street dancing in particular affect the behavior, morals and lifestyle of the respondents.
- To identify the modern definition of social dance and the objectives about socialization.
- To emphasize socialization as an important factor on the study.
- To see if there is a negative influence among the respondents in the study.
- To identify the factors affecting their interest on the three discipline.
- To see in what extent does dancing influence the respondents.
- To define ballet, street dance, ballroom as forms of dance.
- To determine what makes these dances so attractive to them.
Scope and Limitation
Our study focuses mainly on the lifestyle of ballet dancers with 4-8 years of age, street dancers whose age ranges from 14-18 years old and ballroom dancers with the age 50 and above. We have divided the age groups of our respondents to consider the difference in the attitudes and behaviours of those who engage in such activities. In general, we aim to find out how these particular dances affect them as an individual.
We will not only focus on these three dances but we will also conduct a research in a form of an interview with the people who are involved in these dances. This is for further understanding of how ballet dancing, ballroom dancing and street dancing affect our respondents’ way of life.
Significance of the Study
The significance of the study implies the needed understanding for dance culture presented to those who have already developed an interest in this field. Ballet, street dance, and ballroom were respectively selected because of the researchers’ purpose to dissect reasons why these became the initial favourites within the assigned age borders.
The study is important because we are going to reach out to different groups who generally share the same interest but execute different approaches due to their age range. This will now assist in understanding diverse approaches in dealing with distinct people. In summary, the research deals with dances and how people with similar activities interact in a social circle.
Hopefully, the first hand information acquired by the group within the frame of research can assist and justify past and present studies. As students of Communication Arts, the group wanted to expand the limitations to help other fields by analyzing a popular interest and activity among CA students of Miriam College.
CHAPTER II
Review of Related Literature
In the initial chapter of this study, the researchers presented an overview of dance as a medium of self-expression and as a primary step for socialization. The researchers defined the objectives of the study and presented its significance in the extensive discussion of the topic.
Now, Chapter 2 offers the breakdown of topics comprised of detailed information in response to the researchers’ study. This will allow the readers to learn the effect of dancing to certain individual based on the data gathered from a selected group in Metro Manila, which is the subject of this paper.
According to Hannah, J. (1999) Dance is an art form that links mind and body in a society that tends to view the body with distrust; an art form that celebrates process in a society that values product; an art form that empowers women in a society that tends to diminish the value of women’s work and an art form that affirms the essential functions of kinesthetics intelligence in a culture that tends to measure knowledge in words and numbers.
It states that dance is not only defined as a body movement but it can also posses deeper meaning and understanding of the discipline. The statement implies a broad elucidation of how dance is linked and related to society and people’s behavior on the topic which will be elaborated in our study of dance as socialization. The researchers will only center on dance and the respondents lifestyle and will not tackle the other factors mentioned by the author in the aforementioned.
Collier, P. (1997) stated that Dance steps are created from man’s basic movement: walk, run, jump, hop, skip, slide, leap, turn and sway. Combinations of these have become traditional dance steps and have been used often in a stylized manner for folk and ethnic dance, social or ballroom dancers, ballet and modern expressive dances. This statement implies that movements or actions from the ballet dance, ballroom dance, modern dance and other emerging dances today such as the street dance came from simple actions or body movements, combined together to form a particular dance. This can be considered as a reference or a background to our study. It would also serve as a distinct preference as to how dancing started. Our study will comprise a brief discussion about the kinetics of dancing as it is involved in the three subtopics that will be elaborated.
According to Thomas (1995: 2), “As an art form, like the other arts, dance is a minority concern…which is participated in by a minority and viewed by a minority of the public.” In short, dance was not a major priority in the earlier society. However, it still penetrated the masses within the period of capitalism as cited by Thomas in a study made by Jameson (1985). “It is not as simple as that because even its most classic or traditional form (ballet) slips across into the domain of popular (mass) appeal, as consumer capitalism extend its grip into the traditionally exclusive arena of high culture.” Therefore, a significant influence from the upper class brought a reason for the masses to eventually appreciate dance traditions.
The study will serve as a basis for the group’s research since dance history can assist in analyzing differences between the past and recent dances. This will guide both researchers and target readers in acquiring an overview of what the study shall present. Moreover, a brief review of dance history may allow the readers to interrelate the changes that arise from the preceding years. The research will not discuss all categories under dance culture such as folk and classical dance. Hence, this will focus on social dance since the group considers this as an origin for our intended subtopics. With social dance being studied further, the study will identify all leading factors that made it eminent among the society.
As stated in the previous chapter, Katrina Hazzard-Gordon, (1990. p3) said that dance links one's personal identity to a community or group, which means that dance, is really a strong binding factor among group of people.
That is very evident in the different cultures throughout the world. Every cultural group has its own particular kind of dance that they performed for different activities be it religious, social or whatever purpose.
Dance has played a significant part in the life of people. It has been part of history and even the Bible has mentioned dance as part of celebration and revelry.
It is an activity that really has an impact on the lives of people. This is the reason that the researchers wanted to know how dance influence people in different aspects of their lives particularly their behaviour, habit and lifestyle.
With all this information, it can be stated that dance is really something that has its roots in history and in the diverse culture of different people in every part of the world. It is true that dance is not only a regular social activity but also an activity that binds together a group of people.
To be able to find out the behaviour of respondents, a background study must be done. The research only concentrates on the three basic forms mentioned above. In short, the group will not define the remaining forms of social dance. Nevertheless, a study concerning the respondents will be conducted as a replacement for the topics that the group will not go through.
According to Schieffelin, B. and Ochs, E. (1986: p.1), socialization has been defined in a variety of ways, each reflecting theories of the individual and society. In relation to dance, socialization was able to play a vital role in shaping the lifestyles of those individuals involve in this activity. Hence, they said, through the process of socialization, individuals internalize the values of society including those relating to personality and role behavior.
It means that the researcher are on the right track in their search for reasons why dance has become part of the lifestyle of mankind, at least during the recorded history of humans.
Dance is a social behavior. Social life is necessary for human mastery of the environment; dance reflects and influences patterns of social organization and relationships between individuals in groups and among groups (Hanna 1987: 4). Therefore, it is perceived that dance is a necessary tools or activity in social functions.
According to Hanna (2001), “Literature often inspires dance, and dance in turn inspires literature.” In addition to the statement, “dance communicates ideas, stories, emotions, and moods, much like prose and poetry” (p1).
It implies how movements encompass an ability to express intense or subtle emotions as compared to literature which can do the same thing through writing. Both literature and dance surpassed the complexities of time since variety of people engaged in it was able to support its growth. And through the acceptance of its audiences, dance was given enough reason to stay in the society. One main reason for its continuous existence is its ability to connect with people by simply using wide range of actions. Based from the previous study of Hanna (1983), dance can attract its own dancers and viewers thus making it an effective “tool of communication.”
The group considers dance as a manner of socialization. The study takes an initial step as Hanna points out this definition. This part will only tackle dance as a whole, its origins, and effects. And the succeeding research will mainly discuss the process of socialization in relation to three dance forms offered in the following topics of this paper. Dance as socialization is a bit complicated, however essential, since the researchers will deal on three basic age groups and the corresponding dances most of them join in. This means that the research will no longer define any other social dance forms to maintain brevity throughout the study.
The term social dance is throughout intended to cover all forms of dancing directly for recreation and pleasure (Rust 1999:1). It considers cha-cha, fox trot, tango, rumba, waltz and jive. It seems that social dance covers a wide selection of dance. However, the researchers went beyond these and pursued a research focusing on the emerging and the recently popular dances.
Social dance was isolated due to alterations in society. It is considered an essential part of the society’s culture for it undergoes change for a period. For an instance, when dance in a particular era became popular and disappears, it is eventually replaced with another. This is due to the evolution wherein it can progress on its own. (Rust 1999:1)
According to ANDIN & MIŇAS (2004:2) Dance refers to movement set to music where organization, structure, and pattern merge. It is a composition, which implies arrangement of parts into a form. This implies that dancing involves a mixture of body movements and discipline which enables a person to reach a higher level of expression within this art.
It serves as the main focus of the study and remains as basis for the research. However, the statement does not give emphasis to the lifestyle of the qualified respondents. In general, the extent of the study employs the influence of dancing through the process of socialization.
Filipinos acquire basic talents in the art of performing. They have the capacity to engage in the arts particularly in dancing which produce various opportunities.
Based from Bermudez, A. (2000: 24), he said that It will only take a short period of training, or a series of seminars or workshops and the Filipino talent can execute better performance that often times beat international standards. Through this instance, joining dance classes allowed them to experience the process of socialization, which led to influencing their lifestyle. The latter would then be discussed in the proceeding chapters.
Inline with the evolution of dance, the researchers opt for the three categories under social dances, the selection mainly includes Ballroom, Ballet and Street dance.
In the 1950's the Mambo, Cha-Cha, Merenque, and other Latin American dances were popular to a more matured couple. These were displaced in the 1960's by dances with more freestyle such as twist, the monkey and other dances in which partners rarely touch each other. In 1970, with the advent of disco music, dances that included the hustle, bus stop, and bump became popular. A dance fad in the 1980's was break dancing, an acrobatic style that included hand and head spins, pantomime, and intricate steps. (Aguinaldo 2002: 2)
The researchers came up with sub topics that include Ballet dance, Street dance and Ballroom dance to cover the three age groups that are the subject of this study.
Interest in the art of ballet normally starts during childhood and can develop a liking that would never elapse (Wulff 1998: 1-2). Many years have already passed and yet, ballet remains to be a famous dance form that exudes the levels of individuality. During ballet lessons, students are exposed to having proper discipline in relation to the practice made through the fourteenth century. For instance, “men were supposed to be polite to women when it came to ways of greeting, passing thorough doors, and so on and younger people to older people. Generally people of lesser status showed respect…to people of higher status…” (p3). Nevertheless, despite an obvious division in the classical society, ballet taught the value of reverence among others through every dance sessions. According to her, “…a chivalry in the studio as well as outside it that echoed courtly manners all the way back to the fourteenth century…” (p3).
Ballet offers major discipline among those who are involved in such. The author shared significant observations in her past ballet lessons. Based from the story, ballet remains a part of her system. This relates to our study because ballet falls under the paper’s subtopic. From this study, the group wants to know of the various characteristics of ballet that made them acceptable and popular among children in particular. The study consists of a short analysis about the nature of children and how are they influenced by social factors. The group will also provide the reasons why children engage in ballet at an early age. This will also give the researchers an opportunity to mention other benefits that are not provided in the sources cited above.
According to Argent (2005) The fluidity, grace, and beauty of the classical dancer cannot be denied; the prima ballerina juxtaposes fragile femininity with exceptional physical strength to form an aesthetic unsurpassed by any other form of physical expression. Street dance attire may appear antithetic to the delicate beauty of the ballerina's tutu, but communicates a unique grace and fragility of its own. Dance attire allows the true aesthetic of the physical form to be appreciated, so may be as unique as the dancer may.
Classical ballet is a kind of dance that is very demanding. It demands great physical agility and strength to perform routine that requires a lot of complicated movement that no ordinary dancer who did not undergo a kind of training as rigorous as a ballerina did underwent. This study focuses on this characteristics of the classical ballet dance because, in comparison, street dancing also requires strong stamina with all the tumbling, lifting and acrobatic routine performed by the dancer.
Although ballet’s fluidity is very evident, the movement in street dancing is also as fluid but it does not have the fragile femininity of the performer. This paper has determined, based on the description and definition of different dance forms, that all dances in general almost have the same characteristics concerning movement and routine. They all require gracefulness and fluidity of steps and enough physical strength to do all the movements.
According to Upper, N. (2004) Transition in ballet exemplify itself by flowing from one life to another just as each dancer’s life flows from one career to another and one identity to another and just as transitions link the stages of development in all of our lives. It is consist of peak moments linked by steps of transitions. The movements in ballet dancing may represent a person’s emotion. It can also be an outlet for the dancer’s growth and personal development.
Garcia, S. (1997) stated that dancing is one of the most difficult, disciplined, and beautiful art forms and ballet is truly the foundation of all dances. It teaches self-discipline, correct body placement, strength, and gracefulness. Ballet dancing has numerous positive effects on the people who are into it. Due to engaging on this kind of dance, people develop certain traits without them knowing. These traits help contribute to the effects that our chosen dances have on its people. In relation to our study, the group will briefly talk about the positive and negative effects of ballet dancing, ballroom dancing and street dancing on its people.
Based from the article of Aunario, Sara (2007), Hip-hop is an evolving dance of improvisation where you pop, lock, krump, harlem shake, clown walk, grind and perform other neck-breaking yet amazing dance steps. It explains that break dancing undertake changes from time to time. This is because it covers quite a number of sub-heads, which are interchanging as the development of the Filipino culture goes on. In significance with the research, we will compare the past study of break dancing from the recent results. Given that the sub-heads are detached from the main goal, the group will only focus on break dancing as a discipline.
According to Boyer (2003: 2-3) Break dance is the most well-known form of hip hop dance, center around this letting go of one’s body allowing him or her to flow with the music, breaking out of the demands of everyday life. It serves as an outlet or those who are involved in this kind of dance. For example, instead of taking in drugs or other vices, they make use of their available time by joining productive dance groups. This fact serves as a fundamental point of discussion in the latter parts of the study.
Dance for the elderly is an opportunity for “social interaction” (Berkel 1998). In addition, dance lessens stress and is capable to ease physical and emotional tensions inside the body (p1). People never get stronger once they grow old. Some suffers from illnesses. Others are victims of abandonment. In short, they are eventually isolated in the society. However, some institutions are able to give the need for social involvement among the older people. The range of the study will include people of old age and their mode of socialization.
According to Duran-Apostol (2007), Ballroom dancing is the perfect activity for the older age group because It is exercise, it is socialization, and it is fun. He also mentioned that there is no denying the reality of aging for ballroom dancing has become a veritable fountain of youth for most women, making 80 the new 60 and 60 the new 40.
As mentioned, the elderly belongs to the study’s primary target. With ballroom dancing, these individuals were transformed due to their popular hobby. Young at hearts, for this matter, were able to prevent themselves from being isolated in this liberated society. The study will soon determine the effects of ballroom despite their old age. Moreover, with this situation, the researchers would like to know how their families cope with this constant hobby.
Based from the study of Birkel (1998), the use of mind and body are useful to the elderly since it can contribute their independence in everyday life. She also mentioned that, “creative dance allows people to explore some of their inner thoughts and feelings and then express them through movement” (p1). The activity teaches the elders to enhance their confidence and pursue themselves in social involvements or programs.
The socialization of elderly affects the study since these are the primary targets for the study. Interactions between the elders seem interesting because of their willingness to feel young and fit in. Though pressures of old age sinks in and the fear of isolation arise, these elders have found an outlet wherein they acquire comfort and freedom despite their limitations. The missing part of this source includes response of some individuals outside the (elderly) circle. The study will present opinions or surveys on how they perceive elders engaged in ballroom.
According to Gilbert (2005) Some countries provide dance specialists for residency programs. Other countries have conservatory high school programs, where the primary dance form is ballet with extra offerings in modern, jazz, and hip-hop.
Current opportunities are provided for the specialization concerning this field of art. Through these, the group wishes to know their plans for talented dancers in the future. The study aims to identify the contribution of dance programs to social development.
According to Lapointe-Crump (2007) Inline with the evolution of dance competitions and the way judging functions, a contest may spur students to go beyond technical skills and raw talent to artistically move hearts and minds.
Dance contest are in a way, push the dancers beyond their limitations and make them strive harder to be the best. This motivating factor among dancers is very important information in the study because it provides answers to some questions in the research as to why does dance acquires an attracting power to he selected respondents. Based on this research, competition and the long for recognition and acceptance is a factor that attracts the young people to a particular dance.
Wulff, H. (1998) retold her experiences on dancing. According to the author, the ballet world has reminded her of familiar and forgotten sides of her personal ‘self’. In a sense, she started out as an other but have become able to reformulate a part of her personal as well as professional self through this fieldwork; clearly the two inform each other.
Dancers identify themselves a different from other people- more so than most groups. There are even traditional efforts in the ballet world to hide what is going on backstage, since the work practices are sensitive; dancers are exposed both physically and psychologically in the studio. Dances such as ballet oftentimes make a person conscious of their personal and professional well being.
This can be used as a basis or an exemplar for the coming interview with the group’s target respondents. The groups’ study will comprise more personal interviews with ballet, ballroom, and street dancers rather than centering on researches, although it will help the group on elaborating certain aspects for the study, a personal interview will be a more comprehensive, informative and unique way of getting information.
According to Joperd (2001) Dance can also be understood as a way to create and communicate meaning, Diverse kinds of dances may have variety of interpretations. Others perceive it depending on their personal awareness on its environment.
According to a study made by Lestẻ, A. and Rust, J. (1990) Several concomitant variables were measured in considering the effects of modern dancing on anxiety. These are age, sex, attitude towards dance, and previous experience in sport, dance, and relaxation. Dance training significantly reduced anxiety, but no control activities can do so. Examination of the concomitant variables showed that the result could not be accounted for by any obvious study.
It states that dancing has several outcomes on anxiety. These can be tested by assessing the considered variables by the author. This study can be of great help in finding out a portion of the effects and the factors on how dancing can influence a persons behavior and lifestyle. On the other hand, the group will not give further details on controlled activities such as the respondents experience in sports in relation to dance as mentioned by the author.
According to Patrick (1999:1), “although the adolescents may not have chosen initially to engage in the activity for social reasons, the enjoyment reaped from the social aspects of that engagement did appear to enhance the enjoyment of participating and to support their continued involvement in those activities.” This means that socialization can help an individual pursue his expertise. For instance, the encouragement of one’s peers can make a person more involved with his ability. In support to this statement, Patrick said the following, “Further, it appeared that adolescents' motivation for social engagement and their desire to spend time with their peers was a significant factor influencing their talent development.”
This study made by Patrick shows one influential factor for socialization that is needed in the study. The missing part includes the other influential factors for an individual in doing a particular activity, mainly dance for this paper. Socialization and lifestyle are the prime topic for the latter part of the research. The group will manage to an important run down of these factors. In addition, the group will fully explain the interconnections of lifestyle with its corresponding age groups.
According from Vieira (2007), there are five essential benefits in ballroom dancing for the elderly. The study said that, “ballroom dancing is fun; it brings health benefits; it brings back good dancing memories; it allows participants to establish cultural connections to the larger [Brazilian] dancing culture; it provides opportunities for socializing.” He summarizes the study by recommending that, “…ballroom dancing classes created a culture of inclusion that embraced both understanding and acceptance among senior citizens, which in turn might improve their quality of life.” Ballroom is a routine and old age is never a hindrance for these senior citizens. The study conducted by Vieira gives the group an opportunity to understand the needs of senior citizens who suffers from loneliness. However, the study missed to discuss the organizations that helped senior citizens with this problem. Hence, the study will focus on ballroom as a well-liked leisure and look for organizations that sponsor such activities for this age group.
Youth have founded yet another self-expression which awed several of their audiences during a performance. Street dance serves as a way of expression with every beat of music and distinctive movements. During showdowns, audiences can see different styles of improvisation, which made this form of dance interesting to watch. This originated from the streets of America and paved its way into mainstream as street dancers have eventually gained personal achievements.
According to Markovic (2005), dancing helped them discover a hobby that will keep them out from the streets. They have used street dance as their main motivation to follow their dreams. This relates to the study because the latter explains positive influences in street dance. The group also finds this as a starting point of socialization for them since they are exposed on competitions and/or concerts wherein they meet people with the similar interest. On the other hand, the source lacks information about the negative effects of street dance. However, the group will manage to discuss that topic as a minor part of the study. 