Single Mom Claims She Was Banned From Her Child's Father-Daughter Dance
After single mom Amy Peterson finished painting on a beard and spritzing on cologne, in preparation for her daughter's father-daughter dance, she claims she received an upsetting phone call from her daughter's principal just an hour before the event started.
"She said, 'No. I forbid you to come and if you show up we will turn you away,'" Peterson told WSB-TV. Since her daughter Gracie doesn't have a father figure in her life, the duo agreed that Peterson would dress up as Gracie's "dad," since she has "identified as her father and her mother" for the last six years. Because of this, they were both excluded, Peterson alleged.
"She screamed, 'No, why? Why do I have to be the one missing a dad'," Peterson told NBC station WXIA, of her daughter's reaction. "She was just excited that we were doing this together."
Georgia's Henry County School District released a statement following Peterson's allegations, stating that she was informed in advance of the dance (how far in advance wasn't specified) and issued an apology and ticket refund. The district also claims that other moms, interested in attending the dance, were also turned away. "It was explained that the dance announcement indicated that in lieu of a dad being available to attend, any family or friend father-figure could attend," the district's statement said.
According to the statement, the district hosts three different dances throughout the year to "include everyone." Henry County hosts a mother-son dance, a father-daughter dance and a sweetheart dance, which is specifically for students and someone they would like to invite.
Reactions to the incident are, not surprisingly, mixed. Some commenter's on Facebook side with the school, claiming that understanding family differences are a part of life. "I'm sure they have other events for the whole family throughout the year," someone wrote. "A father/daughter dance isn't for mothers. Children should be taught that there are differences and everything isn't for everyone," wrote another.
Others are outraged by the school's decision, condemning the school for failing to support all of their students and families. "Aren't parents and teachers suppose to be on the same page with these things?" a commenter wrote. "If there's no father in the picture why not mom? This isn't about everyone gets a trophy, it is about everyone feel included."
While the school system believes that their three dances do exemplify their dedication to inclusion, Peterson doesn't agree - those categories aren't relevant for every family, she claims, and are, therefore, not inclusive at all. "If you don't want things like this happening, put parent-child dance," she suggested. "Why is she being punished because she doesn't have a dad?"
[h/t Scary Mommy]
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