Motherhood at the Barre: Navigating Pregnancy and Beyond in Ballet Open Access

Abstract

Building on previous research of ballet and feminist scholars, this thesis explores the cultural expectations of mothers, both in broader Western society and within ballet culture. In establishing the expectations of mothers in ballet, my research articulates the ways the institution of ballet refuses to accommodate motherhood, including a lack of maternity leave, breastfeeding accommodations, and childcare. I analyze the social media presence of pregnant and mothering ballet dancers in the USA and UK to demonstrate how their virtual self-presentations directly and indirectly reveal ballet culture's disdain towards pregnancy/motherhood and argue that the idealized ballet body is one of the most prominent driving forces behind their experiences. My thesis aims to address these barriers that limit the success of mothers in ballet to encourage their removal and spark a greater appreciation for motherhood in the ballet world. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………...................................…….….1

            Methodology………………………………………………………….............................….......…………………4

Chapter 1: The Myth of Perfect Motherhood: Expectations vs. Reality In and Out of the Ballet

Studio …………………………………..……………….……………………………………....................................…...8

            Cultural Expectations of Motherhood in the West.……………………….........................………………..8

            Ballet and its Expectations of Mothers………………………………………….............................………..16

            Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………....................................…….23

Chapter 2: The Ballerina Body Through Pregnancy and Beyond…………………….........................………….27

            Controlling the Body Through Pain and Surveillance……………………….........................…………...28

            Flat Stomachs and Success……………………………………….................................………………………34

            The Fight Between Pregnancy and the Ballet Ideal……………..........................………………………...36

            Snapping Back to Ballet……………..……………………................................……………………………...42

            Conclusion……………………………………………………....................................………………………….44

Chapter 3: Conclusion………………………………………………………..................................……………………49

            Ballet Mothers and the Rules they Live By...……………….............................……………………………51

            Artistry and Motherhood Go Hand in Hand………………............................……………………………..51

            Shifts to Accommodate Motherhood……………………….............................….……………………….…53

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Dance and Movement Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Dance Women's Studies
Keyword	Pregnancy Motherhood Ballet
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Mandradjieff, Mara, Emory University
Committee Members	Hargraves, Caitlin, Emory University Eagle, Chris, Emory University Teague, Lori, Emory University

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