by Meredith Scott

Created on: December 04, 2009

Should women be allowed to lead the tango?

One eHow.com article describes the tango as a very sexy dance that's meant to appear as though one partner is chasing the other. The article continues stating that the couple moves back and forth as if the man has the woman under his spell, compelled to follow his lead wherever it takes her. Although the tango was originally danced solo by a woman, this is why I must take the side of the debate that says the man should definitely be the leader in this sensual couples dance, ladled heavy with passion and fire.

I have never had any problem doing the chasing, but any lady will admit that there is nothing like being chased. The same holds true, for the tango. This is hard for the woman who takes control of every aspect in their life, whether it is professional or social. As a debutante in high school practicing for my cotillion, this was the exact reason I found it hard to allow my partner to lead me in the tango. It was even harder when I knew that he was doing certain steps wrong. But, as my instructor encouraged me to allow my escort to lead, I found that the dance not only felt better but it looked better. When dancing the tango, the music and the steps encourage the dancers to exhibit a specific attitude where the male partner screams I know you want me and you know that I want you. No matter what song the tango is danced to or who has choreographed the dance, the main element of the dance is the man chasing the woman, snatching her into his arms and guiding her into a trance. In turn, the woman breaks loose and says with her steps, I am not easy and if you want it, come and get it.

The tango serves its purpose when it is danced right. Listen to the silence in the room when the woman's skirt swirls defiantly as she moves away from the man and he pulls her back and stamps his foot, demanding that she hear his exclamations on why she should be with him. There is one point in the dance when the woman gives in and the two dancers come together in slow, rhythmic motions and you can hear everyone sigh as love takes over. Dancing the tango is a situation where a woman should not take the view of the male taking a dominant role or allowing the man to lead but rather allowing the man to pursue.

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