<p>this thread itself is dumb… everyone needs to lighten up… if you look to be offended, you will be…</p>
<p>My new baby grandson is doing fantastically well, thanks! I had the supreme pleasure of holding/feeding him two days in a row this week, so that’s good.</p>
<p>Back to Barnard and dance (and I guess it relates to body image, kind of):</p>
<p>When my d was looking into colleges, she was seriously considering a dance major. Holding her back was the idea that, 1. a career in dance is supremely serendipitous (as is any performing arts career), and 2. She really wanted to explore different academic areas in a challenging academic environment. Barnard was unique, at least among the schools she considered, in providing just that. A serious dancer could take all upper level classes and seek all sorts of serious performance opportunities and continue perfecting their craft. An avocational dancer (as she has become) can continue to take class and improve, but more just for the joy of it. </p>
<p>I have not seen any sort of pressure regarding body image that you would expect to see in a more traditional BFA environment. </p>
<p>Mythmom, my d has also possibly performed her last public dance performance (though she might be in a production this summer…we will see). It’s indeed the passing of a wonderful part of her life, and kind of sad, but I am so glad she has found what she is passionate about pursuing…neuroscience. She would NOT have been able to accomplish that in any other college environment, I am sure!</p>
<p>Yes, my D has found her passion too! Domestic social justice. She volunteers for a prison reform group. We are not as serene as you CCM. D has decided on a gap year before law school and desperately wants a job for an advocacy group and is holding her breath. She has applied everywhere.</p>
<p>Hang in there! Surely something will happen with a job…and it will be amazing! Keep us informed…</p>
<p>Thanks, churchmusic. Your name makes me hear Bach.</p>
<p>I feel stupid posting this thread in the first place. I don’t know what kind of response I was thought I would get, but I wasn’t really anticipating this one. Anyway, the summary I made before doesn’t give a good picture of what I initially was talking about. So read this article ([Paradox</a> of the Perfect Girl | | AlterNet](<a href=“http://www.alternet.org/story/34101/]Paradox”>http://www.alternet.org/story/34101/)) if you want to, but read the comments–already a lot of controversy there that I really don’t want to generate at CC.</p>