RI school says dad-daughter dances violate law

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — School officials in the Rhode Island city of Cranston have ended their traditional father-daughter dances and mother-son ballgames, saying the activities are a violation of state gender discrimination law.

School Superintendent Judith Lundsten tells the Providence Journal (http://bit.ly/Pv6SzE ) the move came in response to a complaint from a single mother, who brought her case to the American Civil Liberties Union after her daughter wasn't allowed to attend a father-daughter dance.

Lundsten says school attorneys found while federal gender discrimination laws exempt such events, Rhode Island's law does not.

Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com

School Committee member Janice Ruggieri says she believes the school system can adjust and host "family dances" to accommodate all types of parenting situations.