Why does movement put so many male singers off?

In my experience, when it comes to moving and singing at the same time, men seem to find it hardest. photo by Kevin Burke Why is this, and are there ways to help? I think there are three main reasons. 1. We don’t grow up in a rhythmic culture In the UK, music tends to be melody-led rather than rhythm-led. The folk and pop music we’ve grown up with isn’t especially rhythmic and is rarely syncopated. Our songs don’t naturally lend themselves to movement beyond a bit of gentle swaying. 2. We separate singing and dancing As a culture, we tend to compartmentalise. You’re either moving or singing, but rarely both at the same time. Contrast this with many cultures across Africa where song and movement are inseparable. Rhythm is embodied rather than simply listened to. 3. Men are discouraged from dancing Even in 2026, dancing is still not widely seen as a “manly” thing to do — no matter how many blokes there are on Strictly Come Dancing. See also the recent Guardian article Will the stigma…