I think this is a really good point. I agree with the general idea that there are many kids who need to learn that not everything is "fair" but I think this message is targeted at the wrong kids. Keeping a name like "Mother-son dance" seems to do nothing, but protect children in families with married heterosexual parents from learning that their family isn't the only kind.
Other than making some kids feel superior, by reinforcing the idea that their families are the ones who are "normal" or "good", can someone tell me how having a "Mother-son" dance benefits ANY child more than a "Family Dance" would? I've never lived in a place that had gender segregated events, but it seems to me that a "Family Dance" provides the same opportunity to have a wonderful dance with your parent, while also saves the school on the cost of opening for 2 different events, makes everyone feel included, and makes it easier for single parents, parents' whose spouses are on business trips, and families with multiple kids. What am I missing?
For me it was the special night with just my dad, not my mom, not my younger brothers (who were much younger) I had him all to myself and even though he was super sick at this event, I was the main focus for the night. I was his little girl, his princess, even though I was a HS senior. We almost lost him then so for me it was a night that almost didnt happen. He had his heart attack shortly after NYE and then his surgery, and the dance was mid to late Jan. Little did I know that would be the only time I got to dance with him. I look back at those pictures, and even though my dad looks like total crap from bypass surgery, really thin and extremely pale, I treasure that picture.
Our girls scouts do the father/daughter dance, although you can bring another male VIP, I have talked to the moms and the girls absolutely adore going on a "date" with dad. They wear a special dress, get flowers, and once again it is about that one on one time with dad that makes the night.
My dad died when my brothers were 8 and 12, they dealt with all this stuff and yes it was hard and things werent fair, but it was the way life was, and we always made sure, my mom and I did something special with them if there were events they could not attend.
There are tons of stuff everyday that people do not get to do for a million and one reasons, to me this is another one of those things. Hard to deal with, painful at times, but it is life, and for everything that you (general) dont get to do bc you dont have a parent, grandparent etc, there are other kids who dont get to do things due to money, time etc. It is life plain and simple. Should we all not go to WDW bc there might be kids out there who may never go?
