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Thursday
March 2010
11
Community Blogs
I'm a mom of a 15-year-old daughter and a very energetic golden retriever. I lean to the right, but I don't plan on making this blog about politics unless issues demand. I do plan on discussing those things that life throws at us, from the trivial to the troubling. My goal is also to keep things relevant by keeping them local, but like the politics thing, I may draw outside of those lines from time to time. I enjoy people and their stories, because we all have one, and look forward to sharing and hearing about more.
The Evolution of Dance
There was a note that came home regarding Catholic Memorial's annual TWIRP (the woman is required to pay) dance.
It covered dress code, hours, and the fact that there would be a breathalizer there on behalf of the Waukesha County Sherrif's department as well as many chaperones who would escort any obscene dancers out of the building. Standard stuff.
At the risk of carbon-dating myself, I recall when dances were formal, and a bit uptight, events. Where most kids danced awkwardly together (with the exception of the long-dating football and cheerleading couples), and the only drama occurred in the girls' bathroom when so-and-so came with a new girl on his arm only days after breaking up with another so-and -so.
Now schools have begun to more specifically identify obscene dancing, and it's been quite a revelation. "Grinding" is definitely out, which is a sad thing to have to explain to kids, who obviously have been comfortable engaging in it. In their own school's gym.
Perhaps what is more revealing that the casualness teens feel about sexuality (many feel fellatio is the new 'good night kiss'), is that is has been allowed to get to this point.
Again, at the risk of being labeled prehistoric, I don't accept the idea that "it's just what kids are doing these days." If people believe that, it has only happened at the complete approval and acceptance of parents who want to remain 'friends' with their kids, and instead put them in greater peril.
It will never be OK in my house for my minor daughter to engage in sexual activity of any kind, or even imitate it in public. If she wants to pole dance, she'll just have to wait to practice until she is over 18 and legally doesn't require my permission. If people want the best for their children, standards need to reflect that and it starts with something as simple as a dance.
Yes, I may end up in a museum, but I hope the plaque in front of me says "Cared enough to teach her child to respect herself and not to fall victim to popular progressive culture."
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