Fashion, Culture, and Dance as Empowerment
Fashion and dance are double edged swords in terms of female empowerment. On one hand, the ability to express ones' self outwardly can be liberating; however, these expressions are often used for others to form snap judgments based on stereotypes. These outlets help to form a person's identity, but also serve to express that identity, that may be in flux, outwardly. Girls are under constant pressure to conform to the idea of a "nice girl" and to be seen and not heard. These cultural outlets are quickly becoming a way for them to be both seen and heard.
Music, dance, fashion, and culture allow girls to align themselves with various social groups, giving them a sense of purpose and belonging. The ability to make choices for themselves, is strengthening emotionally, or with dance emotionally and physically. The exploration of these cultural aspects is how girls take steps towards defining their identity as an individual versus simply conforming to what they were brought up to believe, dress, and act like.
Art and the invention of social networking has given a voice to many who may have considered themselves silenced by their situation. Music, fashion, and dance create a canvas for an individual to get in touch with their feelings and express their emotions and beliefs without words. It allows them to "engage with (other) young people "through a socially energized and personally focused artistic lens" (Hoffman, 2004). Social networking, which is a relatively new aspect of our culture, gives these same individuals a platform to be heard and seen from.
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