Why do more women dance than men?

We do social ballroom / new vogue dancing twice a week in Adelaide South Australia , if we don’t have other commitments,
for years there always seems to be a shortage of men to dance with single women or who’ve lost partner / husband
However where we go to mostly day time dances ( especially in winter) there is a shortage of ladies with 4 men sitting out most dances.

This is the hall where we attended afternoon dances
Deleted photo cause it needed editing
 
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bobcat said:
I am told that by others, but that's not the reason I dance. I do it because it's fun, and it's terrific exercise. In fact, studies have shown that of all the exercises one can do, dancing imparts more benefits than any other, and by a significant amount.

It strengthens bones, joints, muscles, improves balance, and memory, and coordination, improves blood flow to the brain *and other areas*, reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep, improves respiratory system, and immune system, improves range of motion, improves social skills, better agility, improves self-expression, improves mind-body connection, reduces risk of heart disease, imparts a feeling of youth, improves self-esteem and confidence, decreases risk of dementia, improves neural functions, lessens arthritis, increases stamina, reduces blood pressure, inspires romance, and it's fun. Name any other activity that comes anywhere close to accomplishing all that. It's a clear winner in my book.
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Thank you, Doctor!
 
I never danced as a kid or later as a teen beyond usual brief worthless school teen dance lessons. I spent all my K12 school years in California outer suburban areas that were nearly 100% Caucasian due to societal approved racist real estate practices of that era. And went to 10 different schools in those 13 years across the state. In that era, the tall dark and handsome Hollywood and media cultural narrative dominated such that even the lowest of female social status would be embarrassed having to pair dance in public with unusually short guys, even if they themselves were shorter.

I've been a 66 inches tall and athletic slim since teen years. Although given the surge of ethnic groups into the US since that time with many other men now my height, in that era it was not so and I was socially discriminated against in a range of social ways. For instance when I went into basic training at Lackland AFB, was made a road guard the first day, haha.

When I came of age and left home during Viet Nam War years, was stationed in California and I got a full dose of Counterculture. While in the USAF, at one point had a good African American friend that would take me to their bars with lots of Detroit soul. At a time in the late 60s when bars for Caucasians were 100% alcohol, such was not so for AA bars and because of that they danced much more and with far more rhythmic skill. Something jazz and tap dancers have known for decades.

The more one can viscerally feel ones body, the better one can do something with it and also enjoy the visceral feeling. That is also why so many men in this era don't ever do more than slow pair dancing because alcohol as a depressant and still dominant socially makes one feel one's body less. On the other hand alcohol does loosen up many socially allowing some to be outgoing and dance in ways they might be somewhat embarrassed if not.

After my GI years in the war, I lived most of a year in San Francisco when it was the center of world Counterculture music. At Fillmore West on Market Street, 3 or 4 world touring rock bands played 5 nights a week and I was there for the $7 entry a lot each week. That was the rock era before seating so people stood in front of stages or sat way in the back on old soft couches. I don't recall alcohol being sold as the audience in any case was into stuff that made one feel and be aware of their body more.

Fillmore West - Wikipedia

Probably a third of the crowds in that old Carousel Ballroom venue at stage right spent most of those concerts on their feet dancing though when groups like the Grateful Dead played, many more. Although some did so in familiar pair dancing styles, the majority were freestyle dancing much like I'd experienced with my AA friend. By the middle of the 1970s large numbers of long haired young people, bikers, outlaws, drug dealers, musicians moved to California bringing their whiskey, speed, hard drug cultures with them that slowly changed all that such that the early dancing at rock concerts era ended except at Jam Band and Dead concerts.

In this era, Break Dancing, Hip Hop, and other styles are still popular at their venues while those consuming club rave drugs like Ecstasy and speed are also popular in some urban areas where people dance. Where all manner of live music is played at alcohol venues including most large seated concert venues, same inhibitions to actually get up and dance as decades ago. A few people like this person are the only ones one will ever see dancing in isles and open places. And yeah a whole lot of women I always see at rock concerts, frustrated stuck in those $#@! paid seats, just as Jim Morrison said, want to be set free. And I aim to change that.

Here in the SF Bay Area, now that the pandemic is mostly history, there has been an incredible surge in free to attend outdoor street music events. And this person has been attending such constantly with yes, another coming up tomorrow Saturday with 6 bands at the outdoor Jerry Garcia Amphitheater at McLaren Park. And on following weekends this fall, more of the same.
 
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Like others said here, it depends on the venue and the age. Older women tend to be widowed or divorced, so they might go to dance as a social.

At the senior center, we had a concert today. I went to it. It was outside, and everyone (about 30-40 people) were seated while the band played. I got up and danced alone in the back, near the corner of the building, sort of out of the way. Dance music is meant to be danced! It felt good. The weather was nice and sunny for this time of the year.

Anyway, little by little, as people started swaying and tapping their feet, they looked around. Then they started getting up to join me and dance along. It was fun, seeing their happy faces.

Guess what? About 10 women got up to dance. None of the men danced, and there were men in the crowd. I saw a man heading my way, and I thought, "Good. There's a man coming to join us," and he paused and smiled, but he kept going into the building (probably the bathroom).

On another note - we have a social square dance at the center, and there are men who dance in that, but the women do outnumber them.

Finally, if you want to see men dance, go to a Greek festival in your area. We have line dances where you get to see men and women dancing. It's in our blood.
 
You're a lucky guy @David777! My brother went to San Francisco in 1967 (the "Summer of Love") and stayed until 2005 when he returned to his old college town Marietta Ohio for several reasons.

Like David, my husband and I found the largely black crowd at the Air Force NCO club to be so much fun, with much more dancing and less drinking. We were there dancing every weekend for many years.
 
I love dancing and have danced all my life. My father was a dancing fool and taught me from a young age. As a teen, we'd all go to his club. They always had a live band. My father would dance with my mom, me, and every other woman in the room. If music was playing, he was dancing! 💃🕺

When my parents had parties, music played all night, and all their friends danced. They'd dance with each other's spouses, and the men would also dance with me. It was fun. My brother and I entered dance contests and won several trophies. They're fond memories.

When I was older, my friends and I went to clubs and danced the night away until the wee hours and had a blast. Then we'd head to the all-night diner.

My college boyfriend was a fabulous dancer, and we danced whenever we got the chance.

My husband didn't like dancing all that much. He'd step up once in a while, after a couple of drinks, for a slow dance or two at a wedding, and sometimes in the kitchen when we were cooking and listening to music, but that's it. To him, dancing was s exual expression, and he preferred to express himself in private.

I still love to dance but rarely get the opportunity except at weddings and when I boogie down in my kitchen.
 
palides2021 said:
Like others said here, it depends on the venue and the age. Older women tend to be widowed or divorced, so they might go to dance as a social.

At the senior center, we had a concert today. I went to it. It was outside, and everyone (about 30-40 people) were seated while the band played. I got up and danced alone in the back, near the corner of the building, sort of out of the way. Dance music is meant to be danced! It felt good. The weather was nice and sunny for this time of the year.

Anyway, little by little, as people started swaying and tapping their feet, they looked around. Then they started getting up to join me and dance along. It was fun, seeing their happy faces.

Guess what? About 10 women got up to dance. None of the men danced, and there were men in the crowd. I saw a man heading my way, and I thought, "Good. There's a man coming to join us," and he paused and smiled, but he kept going into the building (probably the bathroom).

On another note - we have a social square dance at the center, and there are men who dance in that, but the women do outnumber them.

Finally, if you want to see men dance, go to a Greek festival in your area. We have line dances where you get to see men and women dancing. It's in our blood.
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I think you may be right. I hadn't really thought of the reality that there are probably just more single, and widowed women, and are looking for a social outlet. I do see men though at the dances, but perhaps they are just there because their wife brought them, but they don't really have any interest in dancing. Just people watching.

Funny, I did try the square dancing at one point, and it was pretty confusing at first, but it was fun just the same. Everybody screws up all the time, but they just laugh it off and keep going. I would try it again, but don't know of any around here. The closest is a little over an hour away.
 
Bella said:
I love dancing and have danced all my life. My father was a dancing fool and taught me from a young age. As a teen, we'd all go to his club. They always had a live band. My father would dance with my mom, me, and every other woman in the room. If music was playing, he was dancing! 💃🕺

When my parents had parties, music played all night, and all their friends danced. They'd dance with each other's spouses, and the men would also dance with me. It was fun. My brother and I entered dance contests and won several trophies. They're fond memories.

When I was older, my friends and I went to clubs and danced the night away until the wee hours and had a blast. Then we'd head to the all-night diner.

My college boyfriend was a fabulous dancer, and we danced whenever we got the chance.

My husband didn't like dancing all that much. He'd step up once in a while, after a couple of drinks, for a slow dance or two at a wedding, and sometimes in the kitchen when we were cooking and listening to music, but that's it. To him, dancing was s exual expression, and he preferred to express himself in private.

I still love to dance but rarely get the opportunity except at weddings and when I boogie down in my kitchen.
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Loved the story of your parents dancing and your dad dancing with you. What a great memory. I had totally forgotten that my parents did the same. They would go to a friend's house, put on records and everybody danced, and my parents were actually pretty good. They never danced with me, but I watched them.

I admire your dancing spirit. Don't give it up. It keeps you feeling young, alive, and full of vitality. If you lived close, I would take you dancing, and we would have a ball. I think if you were to go somewhere live bands are playing music you can dance to the music whether you are with someone or not. Everyone else does. It feels a little strange at first, but most of the time, you can't tell if anyone is dancing with a partner or not. It's just mob dancing, but it's pretty cool.
 
Bella said:
I love dancing and have danced all my life. My father was a dancing fool and taught me from a young age. As a teen, we'd all go to his club. They always had a live band. My father would dance with my mom, me, and every other woman in the room. If music was playing, he was dancing! 💃🕺

When my parents had parties, music played all night, and all their friends danced. They'd dance with each other's spouses, and the men would also dance with me. It was fun. My brother and I entered dance contests and won several trophies. They're fond memories.

When I was older, my friends and I went to clubs and danced the night away until the wee hours and had a blast. Then we'd head to the all-night diner.

My college boyfriend was a fabulous dancer, and we danced whenever we got the chance.

My husband didn't like dancing all that much. He'd step up once in a while, after a couple of drinks, for a slow dance or two at a wedding, and sometimes in the kitchen when we were cooking and listening to music, but that's it. To him, dancing was s exual expression, and he preferred to express himself in private.

I still love to dance but rarely get the opportunity except at weddings and when I boogie down in my kitchen.
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You had an amazing childhood, with your father and family dancing, and your entering dance contests and winning several trophies! Having to dance by the rules must have taken a lot of discipline and practice!

What type of dancing was it? Swing dancing? Ballroom dancing? Not sure what they are called, but I know there are different types. Sounds fascinating!
 
bobcat said:
Loved the story of your parents dancing and your dad dancing with you. What a great memory. I had totally forgotten that my parents did the same. They would go to a friend's house, put on records and everybody danced, and my parents were actually pretty good. They never danced with me, but I watched them.

I admire your dancing spirit. Don't give it up. It keeps you feeling young, alive, and full of vitality. If you lived close, I would take you dancing, and we would have a ball. I think if you were to go somewhere live bands are playing music you can dance to the music whether you are with someone or not. Everyone else does. It feels a little strange at first, but most of the time, you can't tell if anyone is dancing with a partner or not. It's just mob dancing, but it's pretty cool.
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Well, Bob, I'd love for you to take me for a spin around the dance floor! I'm sure we'd give Fred and Ginger a run for their money. 😊😉

I haven't given up, but these days, opportunities to dance are few and far between. I won't go to venues alone; it's okay for guys, but I wouldn't feel comfortable. There are too many wacko's out there. 35
 
From when I was a teenager I loved to dance soo much.I went to dances every Friday,Saturday and Sunday nights,When I was 15yrs old I met my husband.He went to the dances with me.He would dance the slow dances with me,but I had to dance the fast dances with his buddies until one of them got too close to me so then after that he even did the fast dances with me
 
palides2021 said:
You had an amazing childhood, with your father and family dancing, and your entering dance contests and winning several trophies! Having to dance by the rules must have taken a lot of discipline and practice!

What type of dancing was it? Swing dancing? Ballroom dancing? Not sure what they are called, but I know there are different types. Sounds fascinating!
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Patty, my brother and I were just young teens; we weren't dancing in the big leagues. I should've said that it was an amateur competition, but we could pretty much dance it all. We loved to cha-cha!

I've never danced it, but one of my favorites to watch these days is West Coast Swing-style dancing. Mind you, these youngsters are pros. This video is the Jack & Jill competition; they don't know who their dance partner will be; names are drawn on the spot, and they perform two dances that are completely unrehearsed. Take a peek. Watch in full screen.

 
We had both our boys taught ballroom dancing when they were young. The younger son was pretty good at it and advanced up to his silver medals, then we moved to another town and when I took him to the new dancehall he said he was not going back as he didn't like the instructor. He had to dance with a man and that put him right off.
 

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