A Rhode Island school district has taken parents by surprise by suddenly announcing it is banning "father-daughter" dances at the request of the ACLU.
The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to Cranston public school officials citing the federal Title IX anti-discrimination law when a single mother complained that her daughter was excluded from the "father-daughter" activities.
Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council finds it unfortunate that one girl is denying many other girls a special event with their fathers because she feels excluded.
"A girl without a father is going to suffer some disadvantages as a result of not having a father, not just as a result of supposed discrimination, and no ACLU lawsuit can change that fact," he asserts.
Sprigg asserts that a father treating his daughter as a young woman should be treated -- with dignity and respect -- offers a valuable lesson in life.
"It's not just a matter of a social event where some people are being excluded; this is an important or can be an important rite of passage," he contends.
School officials pointed out that while Title IX legislation banning gender discrimination gives an exemption for father-daughter events, Rhode Island law does not. Sean Gately (R), who is running for the state Senate, says he will work to change the law if he is elected.
Mother-son events have also been banned.
Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council finds it unfortunate that one girl is denying many other girls a special event with their fathers because she feels excluded.
"A girl without a father is going to suffer some disadvantages as a result of not having a father, not just as a result of supposed discrimination, and no ACLU lawsuit can change that fact," he asserts.
Sprigg asserts that a father treating his daughter as a young woman should be treated -- with dignity and respect -- offers a valuable lesson in life.
"It's not just a matter of a social event where some people are being excluded; this is an important or can be an important rite of passage," he contends.
School officials pointed out that while Title IX legislation banning gender discrimination gives an exemption for father-daughter events, Rhode Island law does not. Sean Gately (R), who is running for the state Senate, says he will work to change the law if he is elected.
Mother-son events have also been banned.