Embodying Feminism: Dance/Movement Therapy, Education, and Social Activism

Cynthia Kaufman, author of "Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change" states: "Deep within the consciousness of the western worldview is the idea that reason is superior to emotion and the mind should rule over the body."[1] I strongly believe that this mind-body dualism is at the root of many of the issues we face as a society, including racism, but also sexism (not just as inflected upon women by men, but to ourselves), exploitation of the environment (the domination of men [reason] over nature is also an extension of the mental/spiritual over the emotional/physical), etc. This worldview is firmly based in the Cartesian concept that the mental is somehow not physical, and that there is a definite boundary between spirit and matter. The use of dance and other movement disciplines deeply rooted in mind-body-spirit integrity, as tools for psychotherapy, education, and social activism, defies this dualist worldview.

The negative effects of mind-body dualism can be observed in a myriad of problems we face now a days, such as:
· Body issues, including negative body image, low self-esteem, and eating disorders, which are all at all-time high among young women and girls at an all-time high.[2]
· Disregard for the arts, which are considered less important than “mental disciplines” such as the sciences. This results in the lack of access to the arts, and particularly dance (or any other holistic practice), in the schools or communities. [3]
· Interpersonal relationships and sexuality, which includes a number of issues such as sex education, domestic violence, sexual assault, divorce rates, etc.[4]

How did we get here? What are the problems we are facing? And, how can the power of dance, as well as other movement and interdisciplinary art forms, be used to create positive change in society as whole and for individuals?

---

[1] P. 132

[2] A U.S. based survey by Psychology Today revealed that the majority of women are dissatisfied with their appearance. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/index.php?term=19970201-000023&page=2

[3] A study by Americans for the Arts shows that arts instruction has declined by 35% since the implementation of No Child Left Behind. http://www.cep-dc.org/_data/n_0001/resources/live/InstructionalTimeFeb2008.pdf

[4] For statistics on violence against women, visit http://endabuse.org/resources/facts/

For documentation on effective sex education, please visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/factsheet/fssexcur.pdf