The Gender Roles in Tango

In tango, each partner assumes a distinct role associated with their gender. These roles are disrupted, for instance, when the woman refuses to surrender, leans back to create distance from her partner, resists him through disobedience, neglects her responsibility to ensure his comfort, interferes with his lead, or initiates her own movements. Likewise, a man deviates from his role when he fails to protect his partner, coerces her with force, prioritizes steps over musicality, or places his own display above hers. Unfortunately, such behaviors are all too common in our tango.

One reason for this is that we do not teach gender roles. Unlike in Argentina, where the terms "men" and "women" are used in tango instruction, in this country we rely on the generic terms "leaders" and "followers," and we allow either gender to adopt either role with absolutely no understanding of what that role entails or how to embody it. While this approach may appear politically correct, it does not provide students with an understanding of the roles they are performing. We focus exclusively on the mechanics of the dance, neglecting to prepare students to embody masculinity or femininity, to function as men or women, and to be attractive to the opposite sex. This absence of gender expression, flirtation, seduction, intimacy, and emotional interaction leaves our tango devoid of these essential qualities, resulting in a gender-neutral dance.

However, in Argentina, where men exhibit pronounced masculinity and women embrace distinct femininity, tango stands as the antithesis of a gender-neutral play. Argentine tango is a passionate and elaborate celebration of masculinity and femininity. It amplifies, rather than diminishes, the differences between the sexes. By fostering intimate physical and emotional interactions, it fulfills the innate human desire for connection between opposites. This dance is soulful, sensual, and irresistibly seductive.

Despite the current trend in the US to challenge traditional gender roles, one fact remains unchanged: no one can truly excel against their nature. A woman's natural physical attributes—such as being shorter, lighter, softer, and more delicate—make it inherently challenging for her to fully embody the role of the leader. She cannot achieve the strength and reliability required of a leader, nor fulfill the role of a man toward a woman, regardless of her technical knowledge of leading. Conversely, a man's taller, heavier, and more robust physique makes it difficult for him to embrace the follower's role. He cannot attain the lightness and flexibility required of a follower, nor fulfill the role of a woman toward a man, regardless of his technical knowledge of following (see Tango and Gender Interdependence). Tango is not merely about leading and following; it is a delicate interplay between the masculine and the feminine. Without these inherent qualities, tango loses its beauty, charm, richness, and depth.

So, what are the roles of men and women in tango, and how different are these roles?

Men are generally taller, heavier, stronger, and physically more reliable than women. Furthermore, men possess a psychological disposition shaped by millions of years of human evolution through natural selection. This includes tendencies to take initiative, subdue, conquer, exert control, and protect loved ones. As a result, men naturally adopt the masculine role in tango, as they do in life. The following are some of the functions associated with the male role in tango.

1. Leading the woman. For the couple to dance in unison and harmony, their movements must align. To achieve this, only one partner can lead while the other must follow. In tango, the man leads the woman. He does so not through force, but by conveying his intention through his torso of how he wants her to move, which she in his embrace can feel. He then matches her response to complete the lead.

2. Plotting the dance. In tango, the man takes on a more strategic role, while the woman adopts a more tactical one. The man navigates the dance floor, while the woman dnces around him (see Dancing around the Man). Though the woman enhances the dance with her graceful movements and intricate footwork, she does not determine the choreography and direction. That responsibility falls to the man, who must make the dance well-structured and captivating to allow the woman's feminine beauty to shine to its fullest.

3. Supporting her. In tango, a woman's delicacy and dependence are complemented and fulfilled by a man's strength, which is one of the reasons why tango attracts women. Although she is responsible for her own balance and stability, in practice, she often relies on his help. The man must serve as her pillar, providing support with his body to maintain her stability throughout the dance. He must be as steady as a refrigerator, as any instability on his part will undermine her trust and disrupt her performance.

4. Leading her to dance to the music. A man's musicality is the most crucial element in leading. He must dance the music, not merely the steps. His role is to stir her emotions and help her resonate with the music. He should avoid focusing solely on the steps at the expense of the music or prioritizing his own timing over hers. Instead, he should focus on timing her movements, even if it occasionally means he is slightly offbeat himself. This is because he dances for her. His ultimate goal is to ensure she fully enjoys both the music and the dance.

5. Shining her. A gentleman ensures that the woman shines in his company. He leads her in a way that fully highlights her feminine beauty (see Revealing Her Beauty in Tango). He makes her, not himself, the center of attention. He refrains from showcasing his skills for self-glorification and leaving her overshadowed (see Partner-Centered Leading vs. Self-Centered Leadingd).

6. Protecting her. A gentleman takes his protective role seriously. He respects the line of dance, adheres to navigation rules, maintains a proper distance from other dancers, halts when necessary and does not run into people. He ensures his partner is not bumped, kicked, or stepped on by others. Additionally, he refrains from leading steps that could cause harm to her or others (see Spot Dancing in Tango).

7. Pampering her. It is not manly to be rude or rough with women. A gentleman treats his partner with respect, appreciation, and attentiveness. He holds her tenderly, as if cradling a baby in his arms. He leads her gently, carefully, patiently, and protectively. His aim is to make her feel cherished in his embrace, allowing her to fully enjoy the dance with him (see Men's Common Mistakes in Tango).

In contrast, women typically lack the physical build and strength of men, characterized by a smaller stature, lighter weight, and softer, more flexible features often associated with beauty and delicacy. Women's psychology also differs from men's due to their reproductive and nurturing nature, fostering desires for beauty (to attract a mate), affection, protection, and security—traits shaped by millions of years of natural selection also. As a result, women naturally assume the feminine role in tango, as they do in life. The following are some of the functions associated with the female role in tango.

1. Complete surrender. The woman must entrust herself to the man. She must let go of her ego, relax her body, be obedient, and move in harmony with him. Through her surrender, she dispels his misgiving and grants him permission to be her leader. Just as the birth of a child transforms young parents into adults, she makes him a man by being a woman (see Tango and Trust).

2. Following his lead. She must remain calm and unhurried, waiting for his signal to guide her movements and following the lead one step at a time. She must not act independently, initiate steps, or disrupt his lead. However, while being obedient, she must actively engage in the dance. Following is not passive; it is a dynamic action requiring wit, ingenuity, and creativity (see Activity and Passivity in Tango).

3. Being light and agile. She must make herself light and easy to lead, avoiding placing excessive weight on the man and becoming a burden. She must maintain her own balance without grabbing or hanging onto him for stability. She should not resist his lead, assert herself, or struggle against him. Instead, she must remain sensitive, agreeable, and responsive to his lead at all times, moving with agility (see Issues on Balance and Lightness in Dance).

4. Dancing to music. Women, in general, are more intuitive, which enables them to focus on the music rather than solely on the lead. While the man leads the woman to dance to the music, his interpretation may not always perfectly capture its essence. For two partners to dance as one in sync with the music, the woman must also contribute her expression of the music. A skilled follower can interpret the music creatively while remaining in perfect agreement and harmony with the man.

5. Complementing the man. As his partner, she must work closely with him, highlight his strengths, and compensate for his weaknesses. She inspires him with her femininity and dances in a manner that is light, uplifting, and infectious. She supports him when he loses balance, helps maintain the beat if he falls off timing, slows him down if he rushes, and alerts him if he is about to collide with someone. Her role is essential in preserving the coherence and integrity of the dance.

6. Beautifying the dance. A woman's slender, light, soft, and flexible body makes her a natural decorator in tango. While the man leads the dance, it is the woman who enhances it with her elegant posture, graceful movements, dexterous footwork, and colorful embellishments. A skilled follower, however, does not disrupt the lead. She maintains unity and harmony with the man while adding beauty to the dance.

7. Being a woman. The woman must dance as a woman, not as an impassive robot. She must dance with passion and emotion. She should make the man feel comfortable holding her in his arms and enjoy her presence. She must willingly display her softness, gentleness, affection, and allure. She understands that her femininity and charm are the reasons he enjoys dancing with her rather than with a man. By embracing her role as a woman, she can bring out the best in a man and, in turn, be richly rewarded.

In conclusion, gender roles play a vital role in tango and should not be dismissed. The distinctions between masculine and feminine roles reflect the biological, psychological, and emotional differences between the sexes. This duality enhances the beauty, charm, richness, and depth of tango. Attempts to neutralize or reverse these roles, although professedly politically correct, violate human nature and undermine the essence and value of tango. To keep tango alive, we must embrace and teach gender roles that are embedded in the nature of this dance (see The Gender Expression in Tango).