Father-Daughter Dance Ban — Right Step, or Bad Move?

If you're a dad, it's probably among the few times you get in a suit and tie, outside of weddings — the annual father-daughter dance.

Recently, the Cranston School Committee decided to stop the practice over concerns voiced by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a single mom whose daughter could not attend a recent event.

District lawyers advised the school board to end the activities because state law is more restrictive than federal Title IX.

Johnston School Committee Member Robert LaFazia (Dist. 1) explained during a phone interview this morning that about 12 years ago, he and other parents at Thornton Elementary School started holding dances for families, rather than specifying father-daughter or mother-son.

"We combined it and made it a family dance, and we offered it as a chance to have a family photo taken — because who goes out anymore and has a family photo taken?" LaFazia recalled. "We've been doing it ever since, and I'm glad we changed it years ago — we never had any complaints, the parents are happy, and all of the events have been great."

Now, all of the local elementary schools host family events near the end of the school year, LaFazia noted.

So, what do you think?

Should school districts stop hosting activities like father-daughter dances?

What do you think about how the Johnston School Department has handled the issue?

Tell us what you think in the comments below.