Catholic Social Teaching
What is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching is the basis of the Christian faith. It has a focus on love by addressing injustices in the world, concerned with the common good of society. It is the Church's teaching on understanding human life and dignity, advocating for a just and healthy society.
Themes
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that all human life is sacred. The racism, body shaming, and ableism that exist in the industry damage one’s dignity.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops believes that “every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.”
When children are growing up in a dance studio, it is important to keep this Catholic Social Teaching in mind. All students deserve to have dignity when learning and growing in their dance life. Making a safe environment where the students feel comfortable and respected should be prioritized.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Dancers with more money have more opportunities. The theme of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable instructs humans to put those with less economic privilege first. Dancers with less money should not be treated differently. However, they are often pushed away. Those with more money are often the ones who are noticed by audition holders and talent agents.
Christian Scripture tells us, “You shall not oppress the poor or vulnerable. God will hear their cry” (Exodus 22:20-26 RSV).
Underprivileged dancers should not be overlooked as wealth does not determine skill level. By caring for the poor and vulnerable, opportunities for them will open up, allowing their talent to shine.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
All forms of abuse exist in the community, such as physical, mental, sexual, and more.
Based on Christian Scripture, "Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God" (James 5:1-6 RSV). This highlights how sinful abuse is, and it connects to my topic as many dancers face violence from their employers. From their first dance class, young students also face abuse, such as getting told they are “too big to dance,” and their dance teacher will still get paid, despite their unjust actions.
Economic abuse also exists in this industry. Dancers and choreographers, regardless of the physical and mental challenges and pains they endure throughout their careers, do not make nearly enough money to thrive. In 1993, the National Education Association published a study that depicted the lack of support for dancers. The study showed that in 1989, “the average annual income choreographers earned from their artistic work in 1989 was $6,000, while their professional expenses totaled $13,000. Including money earned in other pursuits, a dancer’s average income reached only $22,000.” The Catholic Social Teaching theme of The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers emphasizes the importance of safe working environments and fair pay.
Dancers need to be working in spaces free of any form of abuse, and ideally, salaries for dancers and choreographers should increase as they are trained professionals where comfortable pay is well-earned.
Solidarity
In order to encounter reform, the theme of Solidarity is vital. Eliminating abuse in the dance community will not happen overnight. Yet, if all dancers come together to advocate for change, we will be a step closer each day. Solidarity is about acknowledging that we are one human family, even in the face of national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
Pope Paul VI preached, “If you want peace, work for justice.” The dance world ought to come together, regardless of appearance or skill, and work to eradicate the racism, body shaming, ableism, and inequalities that exist in the dance community.
Documents of the Church
Dancers deserve a community where they are encouraged to do their best and experience impartial careers.
Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice states, “Are they building up community through the goods and services they provide? Do policies and decisions reflect respect for human life and dignity, promote peace and preserve God's creation?"
The concern of whether or not a community is being built up is notable because, within the professional industry, dancers can quickly shift from being loving and respectful to competitive and contemptible. This document draws attention to the importance of living an unprejudiced lifestyle, particularly in the dance world where social constructs can often be a source of division and inequalities.