A recent announcement that US President Joe Biden will host a mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament at the White House to celebrate his and the nation's birthdays has sparked a debate on masculinity. The event, managed by the UFC, has been met with mixed responses, with some praising it as an opportunity to inspire American ideals and others expressing concerns that it may endorse toxic masculinity.
However, a writer for a US publication argues that dancing is what truly builds confidence and maturity in men. Writing in a recent article, Stephen Adubato recounts how he turned to dance, specifically salsa and Levantine dabke, to develop discipline and confidence. Adubato, who initially took up boxing and MMA, found that dancing helped him balance boldness and strength with grace and charm, a quality that is essential in partner dances like the waltz or salsa.
According to Adubato, dancing fosters a sense of revelry and instils a real joie de vivre, qualities that are essential for men to develop in the age of toxic masculinity. Adubato's argument is echoed by experts who are now promoting dance as a way to teach men about confidence, discipline, and maturity. With more and more churches, schools, and community centres hosting dance programmes, it seems that Adubato is onto something.
In the UK, this debate on masculinity is also relevant, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. While the President's MMA fight night may not be directly relevant to UK readers, it highlights the ongoing conversation about what it means to be a man in today's society.