Gender discrimination in Rhode Island

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Are father-daughter dances and mother-son ballgames a violation of gender discrimination law?

For schools in Cranston, Rhode Island it is. Family events like father-daughter dances have been a tradition in schools for decades. But now, Cranston's superintendent says the events can no longer be gender-specific.

The decision came after the ACLU sent a letter to school leaders on behalf of a single mother who said her daughter was not able to attend the father-daughter dance.

The change has some upset but others say it's a tradition that can be continued in other ways.

Nicholas Zeo of Palmer told 22News, “Parents or single parents are in an individual loss per say, I think they can duplicate that in other areas outside the school system.”

A school committee member said the school system can begin hosting "family dances" to accommodate all kids of parenting situations.