The homecoming dance, which took place last Friday at the Cotton Mill, concluded 30 minutes early because of “profane dancing.” Though the dancing wasn’t necessarily wholesome, it has (in recent years) been almost synonymous with school dances. By incorporating new rules that ban the “dirty dancing,” the chaperones prove inconsistent in their rule: why tighten the grip on a policy that has historically been lenient?
The “inappropriate” dancing, known as “grinding,” involves suggestive contact between a girl and a boy. Though mom and dad may not approve, this dancing is common for the times, just as “the bump” might’ve been back in their day. A ban of grinding would be about as effective as prohibition in the ‘20s: those subject to rule have already been exposed to the illegal activity, and thus will partake in the activity regardless of law. Some students choose not to grind on their own initiative, but a mandatory outlaw of the dance would spur disapproval from the majority of students. In other words, cleaning the dance floor of grinding would only create further problems for the school, and more incentive for dancers to rebel.
Coincidentally, a remake of the movie Footloose hits theaters this weekend. The theme addresses this topic as an age-old stance between teens and adults. The younger generation is prone to push the envelope of expression, and the parents all remained shocked at the forwardness of the kids. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Likely, it’s best to lighten up and worry about truly weighty issues, like teen drinking and driving, or elicit drug use. So, release some slack on the newly introduced reigns– let the kids remain footloose on the dance floor.
by Quinn Murray