an 18 year old wants to take a 25 year old to a prom

[LadyyRedd]

Did anyone see the link someone posted last week that showed the news story about the girl whose father is in the military and was leaving for Iraq? She took him to her prom. I bet you did and thought it was a sweet thing for her to do.

Well...I'm pretty sure he was over 25 and I'll bet not a single person had an issue with it, right?

Kimya

 

[Papa Deuce]

Did anyone see the link someone posted last week that showed the news story about the girl whose father is in the military and was leaving for Iraq? She took him to her prom. I bet you did and thought it was a sweet thing for her to do.

Well...I'm pretty sure he was over 25 and I'll bet not a single person had an issue with it, right?

Kimya

Sort of Apples and Oranges. But you knew that.

 

[jenm2878]

My MIL's favorite story about dating my FIL is that at 18 she dragged him to the prom. (He was 29) They have been together ever since - my FIL is in his late 60's at this point, and their youngest son (my DH) is 31. Sometimes these things do work out.

 

[Ragnrok23]

I voted yes because my dad was 28 when he took my 18 yr old mom to her Sr. prom

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Sort of Apples and Oranges. But you knew that.

Not really. What if the girl's 25 yo bf was in the military and was being deployed to Iraq? What if she wanted this memory with her boyfriend and not the dad? I know that is not the case with the OP, but it could happen.

It would change the whole perception of the situation, no?

 

[Beth76]

Well...I'm pretty sure he was over 25 and I'll bet not a single person had an issue with it, right?

Actually, yes, I thought it was inappropriate.

 

[debaudrn]

I voted no. The real issue here is the school's responsiblity for prom and the school's right to determine who is allowed attend a school sponsored event. That is why so many schools have forms to fill out listing the date's name, school, age etc...

The point about them actually dating is a family issue. If the girl's parent's are ok with them dating then that is their family's decision. That parental decision however does not mean that the high school has to allow them to attend prom together. That is a school decision. Two different issues.

As many have already stated schools today are aware of and must deal with issues that weren't thought of in the past and as a result are very liability conscious.

Personally I have no problem with them dating but I also believe a school can set standards or rules regarding who can attend functions that are school sponsored events.

Dating = family decision. Prom attendance = school decision.

 

[kinntj]

I voted no. The real issue here is the school's responsiblity for prom and the school's right to determine who is allowed attend a school sponsored event. That is why so many schools have forms to fill out listing the date's name, school, age etc...

The point about them actually dating is a family issue. If the girl's parent's are ok with them dating then that is their family's decision. That parental decision however does not mean that the high school has to allow them to attend prom together. That is a school decision. Two different issues.

As many have already stated schools today are aware of and must deal with issues that weren't thought of in the past and as a result are very liability conscious.

Personally I have no problem with them dating but I also believe a school can set standards or rules regarding who can attend functions that are school sponsored events.

Dating = family decision. Prom attendance = school decision.

I voted no also and agree 100% with this OP.

 

[Andy B]

As many have already stated schools today are aware of and must deal with issues that weren't thought of in the past and as a result are very liability conscious.

What liabilities?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Not really. What if the girl's 25 yo bf was in the military and was being deployed to Iraq? What if she wanted this memory with her boyfriend and not the dad? I know that is not the case with the OP, but it could happen.

It would change the whole perception of the situation, no?

I thought I read in the article that he was in the military.

 

[Kimberly]

Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem in this? There really isn't too much of a difference in age here. What if it is the only date that they can get? I dunno, I guess I am sympathetic due to the fact that I helped out a friend's little brother recently. After all, it just is prom, who really remembers it anyway?

 

[Papa Deuce]

I thought I read in the article that he was in the military.

The poster is referring to a fictional situation in regards to your post.

 

[Beth76]

Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem in this?

Did you read the thread or the poll results? It's fairly evenly split, so no you're not the only one.

 

[binny]

that was me back in the day as well. I didnt go to my prom though. He was "too mature" for that. Yeah ok....

 

[disykat]

Not really. What if the girl's 25 yo bf was in the military and was being deployed to Iraq? What if she wanted this memory with her boyfriend and not the dad? I know that is not the case with the OP, but it could happen.

It would change the whole perception of the situation, no?

No, that wouldn't change my perception of the situation. Boyfriend = boyfriend. Parent = parent. The parent would be welcome to school pretty much any time. The boyfriend would not.

 

[Aneille]

Fine by me. She's not my DD.

And I don't see a problem with my DD associating at a prom with someone in their 20's. I also had friends that dated older guys and took them to their prom.

At the highschool senior prom, my DD would be 18, out of school and in a few short months living out of my house. If I can't trust her to know how to deal with being at prom with some older guys while chaparones are around, how I ever going to trust her off in college with those same 25 year olds and no chaparones.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I think one little problem is that many people are looking at this from only one side - the question isn't is it okay for an 18 year old to go out with a 25 year old, but if a school should allow it. Even if you think such an age difference is okay, I am sure you can understand why a school might have to say no to protect itself from getting sued. A prom is for the students. Non student guests are a privilege. Schools are responsible for what goes on at prom, so they are responsible for deciding who gets to go and who doesn't. I teach at a high school and several students (often suspended for fighting, drugs, etc. ) are not allowed to go, either.

 

[debaudrn]

What liabilities?

Andy
You can use your imagination to come up with potential liablities. Prom is a nightmare for schools. Drinking, drugs, parties pre and post proms, fights ...the list could go on forever. Schools are responsible for all who attend a prom. As a result schools also have the right to determine who can or cannot attend. Could be academic issues, age, student or non-student it doesn't matter. The school sponsors the event therefore has the right to determine who can attend. Unfortunately in this day and age schools must consider these types of things all the time. As I said before dating = family decision, prom attendence = school decision.
Deb

 

[hulagirl87]

I went to my senior ball with someone in their 20's. We were never asked who we were bringing or age. Times sure change...

I'm not a parent. I hope to be some day. I see my sister and the things that she goes through with her kids. If the worse thing that happens is that my son or daughter wants to date someone older? I will feel lucky...

 

[Andy B]

Andy
You can use your imagination to come up with potential liablities. Prom is a nightmare for schools. Drinking, drugs, parties pre and post proms, fights ...the list could go on forever. Schools are responsible for all who attend a prom. As a result schools also have the right to determine who can or cannot attend. Could be academic issues, age, student or non-student it doesn't matter. The school sponsors the event therefore has the right to determine who can attend. Unfortunately in this day and age schools must consider these types of things all the time. As I said before dating = family decision, prom attendence = school decision.
Deb

None of those are age related liabilities, I can see that there may be an issue with those who do not attend the school but what is the difference between a 24 and 25 year old.