Leaping through life : the lived experience of parents who have boys who dance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth insight into the lived experience of parents who have boys who dance. To reach the aims of the study, four semi-structured interviews were held with two mothers and two fathers who have sons between the ages of five and ten, who attend dance classes. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data gathered from the interviews. Four superordinate themes were identified relating to the support which the parents constantly offer, the struggles they face, the way they were raised and their heteronormative outlook on society. The results show that these parents are essentially unusual people living usual lives. It is clearly demonstrated that the differences between the mothers and fathers are not due to their gender but rather due to the idiosyncratic experiences they endure. Malta’s very tight family relationships and the innumerable but subtle influences that society has on its populaces are very evident in the findings.