A lot of moms enjoy having special outings or doing cool activities with their kids. A "Mommy and Me" day can be fun for kids and moms, but one Atlanta pole dancing studio has come under fire for offering pole dancing classes geared toward mothers and kids. The class, which was open to participants as young as 4 years old, has raised concerns about it being too sexualized an activity for kids. The owner of the studio, however, is firing back at critics, arguing that they don't really understand what pole dancing is all about.
People are taking to social media to debate if pole dancing is a sport or just a form of sexualized dance better left to adults-only strip clubs or the privacy of the bedroom.
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Critics claim the classes aren't appropriate for kids.
After an Instagram Reel of the studio's first Mommy and Me class from early 2024 went viral, some people saw it as a disturbing way to sexualize children as well as a weird way for a mother and child to spend time together. Some also raised questions about whether it is OK for images of kids on the pole to be shared online.
One X (formerly Twitter) user tweeted that they think "it’s very irresponsible of that mommy and me pole dancing studio to record and upload videos featuring kids in their workshops," and another argued that this can lead to kids becoming "hyper sexualized and end up growing up too fast and being taken advantage of. I’m gonna call this what it is. Crazy."
Pink Pole Studios owner Tiajuanna ‘Tia’ Harris, however, is unapologetic.
Harris, who according the Pink Pole Studio website has "no exotic dancer background or affiliation with stripping," sees this as a modern alternative to "quintessential Mommy-and-me time".
She told People that "The inspiration for our mommy and me pole fitness class stemmed from us looking to promote a unique bonding experience between mothers and their children while emphasizing fitness, strength, and confidence in a playful and supportive environment."
For Harris, pole dancing is a sport, not a sexual activity.
Although many people associate pole dancing with very adult activities, Harris told People that she wants to break that stigma. As she explained, "It deeply concerns me to witness the tendency of some individuals to sexualize the sport, overshadowing its true essence as a form of athletic and artistic expression. I find it important to address this misperception and advocate for a more informed and respectful understanding of pole fitness."
Harris isn't the only one who argues that pole dancing is a sport. The International Pole & Aerial Sports Federation wants its "sport to be recognized, internationally successful and represented at the World Games and at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in all aspects, with recognition for our national and international medallists and world record holders," the federation's website notes.
Despite the critics, Harris plans to continue the pole dancing classes for kids.
Pink Pole Studios, which also offers classes for college students, took to Instagram to declare that the first Mommy and Me class was just the beginning: "After 3 years of anticipation, it's finally happening. We are here to break stigmas and set the bar. Remember that — it's here to stay."
Harris acknowledged in her interview with People that she's not likely to change the minds of people who think the activity is inappropriate for kids and that it is "not our intention to invite those in opposition" to attend classes.
She plans to have a special Mother's Day workshop in the spring.
