Emphasis on Parallel Position

When entering ballet lessons with Miss Emily, young dancers are started in parallel position - also known as ballet 6th position. Why does Miss Emily not emphasize a "turned-out" 1st position? Famous ballerina, Margot Fonteyn says it very well, "Turnout is generally thought of as turning the feet out so the toes point out to the sides instead of to the front. But it is not just the feet that must turn, but the whole leg from the hip joint. The common fault is to turn the feet out farther than the knees and the hips, which results in what is called "rolling in". What is wrong with rolling in is that the whole sole of the foot is no longer in firm contact with the floor, and it is that contact which is the most valuable thing a dancer has. From it comes stability, control, and most important of all, the power to spring up into the air. It is dangerous to force even the more supple (children), because their bones are growing and still soft. From all this, one can see why just how advisable it is to go to a good teacher in the first place. One cannot be too careful with young children. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well."