RI School Says Dad-daughter Dances Violate Law

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Updated: 9/18/2012 7:51 am
 CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - School officials in the Rhode Island city of Cranston have ended their traditional father-daughter dances and mother-son ballgames, saying the activities are a violation of state gender discrimination law.

School Superintendent Judith Lundsten tells the Providence Journal  the move came in response to a complaint from a single mother, who brought her case to the American Civil Liberties Union after her daughter wasn't allowed to attend a father-daughter dance.

Lundsten says school attorneys found while federal gender discrimination laws exempt such events, Rhode Island's law does not.

School Committee member Janice Ruggieri says she believes the school system can adjust and host "family dances" to accommodate all types of parenting situations.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

redmanosu - 9/19/2012 9:39 PM
0 Votes
my daughter & I have been to all four of the father-daughter dances that her high school had. We went with a group of her friends. Some had their fathers there, some did not (whether he was out of town or not in the family picture). The girls had a blast dancing and socializing together, (I'd have to admit I had a great time to), it didn't seem to bother the girls that their fathers weren't there, they seemed tphave a good time just being with their friends. I think the school was way off base by not allowing this girl to go. and now that the ACLU got involved, a good time by the majority will be lost because of the one. I DON'T BLAME the girl or her mother, it's the schools fault. (the ACLU should have never been involved)

moonmagick50 - 9/19/2012 6:53 PM
0 Votes
"all types of parenting situtations" so in other words when a child has 2 daddies or 2 mommies then that makes everything ok. My granddaugter and son go to the father-daughter dance every year however they allow any adult male who is important in the childs life to participate. I was a single mother as well, but I sure would not ruin the happiness of other girls because my daughters dad was a dead beat. How selfish. Some people just have to be so important and whine about everything. Life is not fair you have to live with it, but it is cruel to teach a child they can have everything their way with a little bit of whinning!

Cincinnatus - 9/19/2012 4:52 AM
1 Vote
That's the spirit. Teach kids for 12 years that life is always fair (when it is not), then turn them loose at 18 into the real world without the skills to handle disappointment, and watch them turn to drugs for comfort.

navrat - 9/18/2012 12:48 PM
0 Votes
How mean spirited and childish. This woman wants to punish everyone else for her poor choices.

madongren - 9/18/2012 12:42 PM
0 Votes
Next thing you know Bubba Sue will be sueing "and winning" Victoria Secret because her bum gettin big!!!!!! And it dont look like sweet in low down the blocks in a thong no moooo!

madongren - 9/18/2012 12:39 PM
0 Votes
What can I say!!!!!!!!! Sounds like the poor me syndrome, is alive and well in RI or should we just cut to the chase and say another victory for the democrates who have developed this what "what about poor me" society we have te honor of living in...LIFE IS'NT ALWAY FARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ammys2Cuties - 9/18/2012 12:00 PM
1 Vote
OMG! This PC baloney keeps up and brides will no longer being dancing with their Fathers to the tune of 'Daddy's Little Girl'! people suck!

hikingdude - 9/18/2012 11:10 AM
0 Votes
If you went to a "father-daughter" dance, would you want to see all your girl-friends dancing with their dads having a great time, while you stood alone or with a "substitute". I'm sure class-mates wouldn't be talking about you not having a father the next day at school and wouldn't cause any emotional pain at all.... I think this is more about the mother than the daughter.

Lee62 - 9/18/2012 11:03 AM
0 Votes
Again, the neanderthals thump their clubs in ignorance. SSDD with some people. I agree that if the school is so tight-laced that they won't accept 'substitute' parents to bring a child to an event, the event should be stopped. I'd say it's more about the school's mindset than any parent's.

kentgentman - 9/18/2012 10:56 AM
1 Vote
Another case of our educators not using common sense ! Although I loath the ACLU this is one time they were right to go after the school and no child should be discriminated against . It doesn't matter if the child is from a single parent family , non traditional family or whatever the home situation every child should have access to school functions .
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