We Want to Know: Why Won’t Boys from Oklahoma Dance?

The Boys from Oklahoma do a lot of things: "roll their joints all wrong," jack their trucks to unreasonable heights, but something we've noticed they won't seem to do is dance.

The Trend on Tik Tok

Up to more than 99 million views on Tik Toks, there has been more videos recently of couples getting together and enjoying a moment together with a dance. Some of which are a traditional two-step, which is one of the most common western dances in Oklahoma. However, these videos come from all around the world and a noticeably small percentage come from the Sooner state.

Stereotyping: Men and Strength

With southern men, there's a certain type of mentality that emphasizes strength and sternness over self-expression. Often, it's the same attitude that tells men they can't cry, yell, show any other emotion or they'll be seen as weak. According to hardinlife.com, family codes are "habitual behavior or roles that each family takes on to survive, to fit in, keep the peace, please another, or conform to the family script." Things like family codes teach generations of men that the last thing they should do with their feelings is to be vulnerable with them. They're taught that strong men "suck it up" and deal with their thoughts and issues independently and prioritize their family and friends before themselves.

Dancing and Its Benefits

Ironically, women have found to appreciate men's vulnerability as true strength and confidence. A man's ability to express how he feels about his partner, especially through dance, takes a type of self-assurance that only a true "macho man" can pull off. Even in the LA times, they acknowledge that the gentlemen in the neighboring state, Texas, carry more confidence because of their willingness to take to the dance floors: "they’re all in their cowboy hats and cowboy shirts, with a beer in one hand and a woman in the other, and they’re dancing; it's a very macho thing to do."

Dancing should be seen as more of an opportunity for men than a weakness; how better to get closer to someone you're attracted to, prove your own self-control and self-awareness, while giving your partner a sense of security and expressing yourselves together? Ironically, there are several dance halls, schools and bars that host dance lessons for those wanting to learn. Pro tip: it's perfectly fine to learn from your partner, as well.

If you're an Oklahoma man tell us: do you dance? Why or why not? Message us on the app and tell us your thoughts.

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