It's hard for children to differentiate between reality and fantasy. Most girls and boys mimic what they view on television which in most cases is a fictious world. However they are unable to make that connection. Therefore, they do what they see and bring the secular world into the school. I think students should be supervised by a responsible adult prior to performing in a school event or activity. I also think that we (adults) are responsible for the children we teach. Although the school is considered a professional setting there are individuals working in the school system who suffer from various addictions/obessions that are not apparent. I am afraid that the men or even women employees will begin to violate the students.

I had a discussion about this topic with one of my high school classes. It was interesting to hear their perspective...they expressed many of the same ideas and concerns that I have had heard from adults. The one question that I challenged them with was, "What level of respect is shown the young ladies when the boys are bumping, grinding, and groping them - mostly while standing behind them?" It was an interesting back and forth. I expressed that I was not necessarily against how they danced but the message that was being sent about their dancing partner.

As the parent of two teenage sons and a pre-teen daughter, I too have discussed the respectful dancing topic with them. The discussion often returns to "Would you like someone touching our sister like that?" The best message we can give our students is to respect their dance partners and those on the dance floor with them. If you offer the "my sister" or "my brother" perspective, most agree that a school dance is not the place for such intimate behavior.

We need to remember that our parents thought the twist was dirty and that Ed Sullivan cut Elvis off at the waist so he would not be seen twisting his pelvis on national TV. At one time it was considered common to sing hymns in church instead of having classical music. Rock and Roll replaced Big Band music and the Bop the Jitterbug.

Teenagers are always going to do something that shocks the older generation. As long as couples are not allowed to slip out the gym door for some "privacy", don't worry about it unless they undress or expose their privates.

Dance can relieve tension and can be a source of joy.It is an art to be appreciated.As has been said by a spiritual person " Fire can give you warmth but can also cause fire". In some communities,dance is an offering to God and all girls in a family learn dancing in a home environment. Dancing is good but bad/vulgar dance is not the thing. Colleges/schools must moderate the form of dance and disallow any vulgarity.
Professor(Retd.)
Punjab Agril.University,Ludhiana(India)

As a former dancer for 27 years and an educator who has coached the school dance team as well as just a highly opinionated citizen, I want to add my two cents worth. Let's face it; kids are always going to try to push the envelope on what is permitted. Adults are always going to want to set limits. That's natural and appropriate. While now I am agast at the length of my dresses in the 70's, which would today be considered tunic tops, it was the fashion that was a harmless rebellion and was outgrown. By placing too much emphasis on external expression, we adults can miss the point of the process adolescents are going through as they separate themselves from their childhood and define limits for themselves. If we grown-ups set reasonable limits, then stand firm on consequences for going beyond them, a healthy balance is achieved. We do not have to be grossed out by behavior we deem unseemly, and young people feel their needs have been taken into account and they get half the pie, not the whole megilla. Whatever moves the kids may make, as long as there is no full body contact, horizonal floor maneuvers requiring both hands and feet and groins connected, let them at this incredible non-violent non-harmful outlet for their burgeoning sexuality. I don't have a solution for slow dancing - that is part of our culture and for probably hundreds of years has been the way of getting around all the grown-up rule.

Personally, I'm going to go to our school prom to chaperone and party with the kids who have worked hard for 4 years and want to celebrate because I want to celebrate their success with them!

I don't believe it is totally "shocking" to us when students imitate adults- in any way. Today it's almost an "anything goes" policy in schools.
Admins hands are tied by boards and parents etc.
Morals and values are culturally different so on.
So where do you draw the line?...further and further until someone is having sex on the dance floor and you cry out that is outrageous behavior! Why didn't someone stop them?
Get into reality and educators please step up and do something.
Would you let someone choke? Would you let someone take drugs in front of you. Would you let someone bully another student?

Maybe you would say well maybe.... then maybe think about if you should really be an educator.

I chaperone dances all the time, and I am one of the few teachers that will get on the dance floor and regulate behavior. I use humor to get them to chill their moves. I tell them that they can only get as low as my knees will go...and I demonstrate. They usually get a kick out of that. If I see a young man and young woman creating too much friction, I usually go up to the lady and tell her that the gentleman doesn't like it when you rub against him like that. They laugh and get the hint. And I always tell the females to "BE A LADY." These kids just need reminding, and it is our job to be the voice in their heads until they are able to do it themselves. The biggest problem I see is most adults assume nothing can be done...so they do nothing, and then these young people never hear or see appropriate models of behavior. Do I have to tell some of them more than once...sure, but they know Mrs. CJ is on the floor and she will come around and bust a move with them and remind them of how to dance and have a good time with dignity!

There is a free web site to help sort out and share ideas for administrators faced with the challenges of staging a school dance these days. Check it out....it has a do not play list, preferred play list and directory of responsible DJs in your area. www.schooldancenetwork.com

Ric

Not even a real question. Absolutely monitor and control!
Allowing teen boys to rub their genitals on the rear end of a teen girl, while the other boys are watching like lions watch their next meal, has some bad stuff brewing. In some cases I've heard (and seen) boys just grab on some girl and grind on her as if he was entitled to assault any female in his range. Complaints from the girls pretty much say that too often young males are not really young men but selfish boys who still need to mature - although many men never grow out of this stage(women suffer from this too). The safe outlet and alternative to avoid this destructive sex play has always been directed activities to burn up that energy.