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Single mom calls school's father-daughter dance unfair, Entity reports.

Father-daughter dances are a sweet idea – some quality time with dad at a wholesome school event. But are they unfair to families without male role models?

Amy Peterson of Henry County, Georgia thinks so. She was just barred from attending a father-daughter dance with her child, six-year-old Gracie.

Peterson says Gracie had been looking forward to the dance for months – and since her father wasn’t in the picture, she had planned on taking her. The single mother even dressed herself up as a man for the dance, but received a phone call from the elementary school principal just an hour before saying she was “forbidden” from attending and would be turned away at the door. Ouch.

The harsh reaction came as a particular shock since Peterson had filed paperwork to attend a month earlier. But when it came down to it, the school was not having anyone mess with the tradition. Apparently other mothers had been turned down as well.

Henry County Schools released a statement sharing, “The school is cognizant that different dynamics exist across households in our school system. There are multiple parent engagement events and opportunities to participate with their kids annually at this school in an effort to make that connection and build school spirit.”

So basically – you can find something else to come to if you don’t have a dad willing to participate. Of course, the alternative is a mother-son dance, so… not sure how that would be any better for Amy and daughter  Gracie.

She says the dance was really important to her daughter, who has been teased at school before about her family situation. And we all know kids can be brutal. Peterson says one child even told her “she didn’t have a dad because she’s fat and ugly.”

“If you don’t want things like this happening, put parent-child dance. Don’t put a stipulation on it’s a mom or a dad,” Peterson said. And honestly, that seems like a pretty solid plan. Out of three dances held at Henry County in a school year, two would exclude those that don’t have the typical nuclear family household.

Maybe it’s about time for Henry County Elementary School to update their rules.

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