Allowing your daughter to go to the Junior Prom just hit a new level. What if you don't want your daughter to have a date for prom? Should the principal be able to mandate that your child go to prom with a date? Apparently, a Staten Island principal thinks she has the right to do just that, when NYC Principal Bans Going Stag To The Prom for juniors at St. Peter's Girls High School. The girls have one week to find a boy to take to prom, or they're not allowed to go.

This is upsetting on so many levels. One is because school interim principal Florence Bricker refuses to discuss the decision. The rule was made, no discussion. Another is because the girls have been instructed not to talk about it with the media. They can't even discuss how they feel about it.

The parents interviewed on the video think it is not the principal's choice. So do I. What do you think? Additionally, the mandate is only for Juniors, but not for Seniors. Besides the fact that it should be the parents' instruction, what about the girls themselves? One mother on the video said, "I don't think it's right because what if they don't have a boyfriend?" "They got to be forced to go bring somebody off the street, or a cousin? That's embarrassing … or your brother?".

Forced dating is not a good idea at all. I find it ironic that this is a Catholic all-girls school, where parents obviously want the girls in an environment where it is not mandated mixed company.  I know "having a date for prom" is a big deal, but I do not understand the motivation. Why put all this pressure on these girls? And why for the younger ones, but not the older ones? One article speculated that it may be to boost the appearance of the attendance numbers.

What would you do if it were your daughter? What if it were a get-together at your church? What would you do? Would you keep your child from participating on principle or do you think it is no biggie?
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Comments

May. 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Sisterlisa

If it was happening to my daughters they would not be allowed to go. Just recently there was a youth activity where it was formal attire, they were told this is not a dating activity, but if their parents allowed it they could bring a date.

In the teens eyes, it was definitely a dating activity. Regardless of what their leaders said. The talk among the kids was ALL about who was going with whom.

It made my daughters feel uncomfortable and they were just fine with not going, but they liked the idea of getting to dress up fancy with their friends. So my husband decided to date them and he did everything RIGHT. He rented a limo, they all dressed formal. Several hours before the activity he met with the manager of the restaurant and made special plans for our girls.

Throughout the evening waiters would bring out trays of gifts, bouquets of flowers, etc. etc.. The other kid took notice and one of the youth leaders told the teen boys, "Now that's a date!"

Other girls whose parents were the chaperons for the event were embarrassed at having their parents walk by their tables. My girls were PROUD to have their daddy at their table.

My husband's thinking was that if this was a dating event(Although it was clearly told that it wasn't, but in the teens eyes it was) then he would be the date for our daughters and they would show our girls what a date really is.

Some people criticized us and said, "Don't you think that's teaching your daughters unrealistic views on dating? I mean really, guys don't date like that now a days." Our answer....."Well they should date this way and someone needs to teach them how!"

I could go on and on about this one...

Sisterlisa

- Home Where They Belong

blessings~

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