Father-daughter dances are an American tradition that go back decades, but in Cranston, Rhode Island, they can no longer be sponsored by a public school. Earlier this year, gender-specific school events—including both father-daughter dances and mother-son baseball games—were specifically outlawed by the Rhode Island school district after a single mother threatened to sue because her daughter wasn’t allowed to attend. The ACLU, who backed the lawsuit, claims that the events violated federal and local gender discrimination laws.
While some applaud the ACLU and the Cranston, RI school district for the ban, others are outraged that every aspect of community life must be politically correct or litigated into the ground.
So who’s right? Are father-daughter dances gender-discriminating exclusionary events, or is the ban a massive overreaction?
The ACLU’s Complaint
The ACLU is known more for inclusion than exclusion—they’ve worked over the years to reduce discrimination, which effectively allows more people to have more rights. In this case, however, the ACLU stepped up on behalf of the single mother whose daughter didn’t have a father with whom to attend the dance, arguing that, in this day and age, public schools “should not be in the business of fostering blatant gender stereotypes.” The clincher for the ACLU is that, because a public school was holding the event in question, public funds were being used for an event that excludes certain students from attending specifically because of gender.
Although federal gender discrimination laws have an exemption for these types of gender-specific events, Rhode Island law does not, and this was the legal basis of the ACLU’s complaint.
ACLU Overstep?
Although the change was made by the Cranston school district months ago, it only came to light recently–sparking a wave of outrage among many district parents. Cranston’s mayor, Allan Fung, came out publicly against the school’s decision and state Senatorial candidate Sean Gately promised, if elected, to try and change the Rhode Island law that the ban was based on.
Those opposed to the ban argue that the ACLU is grossly overstepping its bounds by siccing its lawyers on a district that probably can’t afford to defend the practice of gender-specific events. They also point out that this is a case of political correctness gone too far and that it’s ridiculous for the ACLU to use its resources to slap the hand of one school district for what they consider a petty issue.
Finding Middle Ground
The question is, are father-daughter dances inherently sexist and discriminatory? Does the exclusion of one kid justify an organization like the ACLU to bring out their big guns, or is it a case of extreme oversensitivity? Some might argue that a simple solution is to change these events to be more inclusive instead of banning them. Perhaps schools could consider making the events parent-child instead of father-daughter or mother-son. That way, families could decide for themselves who wants to attend. Those who enjoy the tradition of a father-daughter dance could still participate, while kids from different kinds of families could also be included.
Questionable Motives
One of the ACLU’s primary arguments for pursuing the ban was that these events perpetuate gender stereotypes that are outdated—that only boys like baseball and girls like dances. Although Rhode Island anti-discrimination laws do support the ban, it’s because of gender exclusion rather than stereotypes. Many wonder whether overcoming gender stereotypes is within the mission of the ACLU, and question just how far political correctness should go.
It should be noted, as well, that gender-specific events put on by private organizations and schools in Rhode Island remain legal.
10 comments
rusobr2
i think you can get a lawsuit for someone for just being a rag-a-muffin, which is just what we need here !!! when i was in school, the only requirement was to bring a male rep......such as brother, uncle, friend, grandpa, or boyfriend of mother........i really hope no one is wondering whats happening to america !!!!!!!
Don
By the way...gender stereotypes exist for a reason. Men and women ARE different.......DUH !!!! Deal with it !!!
Don
Next the ACLU is going to go after Father's Day and Mother's Day. What a bunch of morons...with way too much time on their hands. I love how these people seem to think they know what's best for Me and everyone else. And to the mom that brought this to their attention....thanks for peeing in everyone else's Wheaties. I guess misery NEEDS company.
Dan Smith
Wouldn't it just have been simpler to just make the school stop being a dick and let the girl go? There is nothing wrong with a "gender specific" event. Or a non-gender specific one. This isn't political, or at least it shouldn't be. Hell, I hope someone had two dads and brought both. This is nonsense. Like banning peanut butter at a school where one kid has a peanut allergy. Just make the kid something else! Kids love Nutella!
Kris
Stupidity rules America.
Joseph McCann
I generally support the ACLU, an organization that has done much to support civil liberties in, sometimes unpopular, circumstances. However, this time, they give voice to critics that contend they push political correctness at the expense of common sense. They should have stayed out of this one. Perhaps allowing an uncle, a friend, a step-parent, a classmates father, or even a volunteer male teacher to accompany the girl would be a solution. Sometime dad just can't go for some reason. A lesson here: life is not always perfect, no matter how fair we strive to make it.
K.Wood
This is just a great example of people having absolutely nothing better to do than complain and bitch and moan. Tell me, what what is wrong with a mother or father having a special day to go out and have a special night with either their son or daughter? And to actually spend the time and money, tie up the courts for something this petty. Get a life! Can I file a lawsuit for filing "petty" lawsuits?
Gloria Brame
Events like these were always a bad idea, a kind of propaganda about what families are supposed to be like, not reflecting what families really are. They always excluded segments of the population. There are lots of ways to celebrate family that don't make kids feel like outsiders. I'm glad to see such programs go and hope they will be replaced by events that ALL schoolchildren may attend with their loving guardians.
ss
The majority must sacrifice for the wants of the few. Get used to it, it's only started folks.
Shannon Heaney Crush
I do not agree with the decision to ban the gender specific events. However, our schools do VIP day. Thankfully my kids have grandparents that are still alive but other children do not. So, instead of grandparents day its VIP day. Unfortunately our child's school does not have gender specific events. I think if they are going to have father/daughter dances or mother/son baseball....it shouldn't be limited to birth parents. Some kids are close to family friends or neighbors who hold a father/mother role for them. They should be able to bring that person in place of the missing. lost. or unavailable parent.