'Freaking' Banned - PRINCIPAL SAYS DANCE IS `LIKE PORNOGRAPHY'

The Mercury News ^ | Feb. 20, 2003 | Nicole C. Wong

[CheneyChick]

Students at Palo Alto High are about to learn that ``freaking'' -- a popular way of dancing that simulates sex -- will get them kicked out of school dances.

It's just too nasty, school officials say.

Principal Sandra Pearson plans to tell the school's 1,650 students today that she is banning sexually provocative dance moves in response to suggestions from some parents and students. Critics say the amorphous dance known as freaking is a ``demeaning'' activity that looks like something that would be seen in an X-rated movie rather than at a high school dance.

``Freak dancing, to me, is like pornography,'' Pearson said. ``I may not be able to define it, but I sure know it when I see it.''

The ban puts Palo Alto on par with high schools across the country, from Wilcox High in Santa Clara to Oakland Mills High in Columbia, Md., that are taking steps to foster an atmosphere in which students respect each other, both inside and outside of the classroom. But some observers say the crackdown will be hard to enforce and could spark a backlash that's even harder to control.

Over the past two months, Pearson and the student council have tried to pin down what is appropriate behavior for school dances. They drafted seven rules, including no chewing gum (so the new gym floor won't be ruined) and ``no demeaning or sexually explicit dancing.''

How is the news going over?

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[Wolfie]

In my day, we called it what it was - "dry humping".

[FreeTally]

In my day, we called it what it was - "dry humping".

Of course it is.

My opinion is, do it if you want to do it on your own time, but a school has a right to place restrictions on conduct. I have never been much of a dancer myself. Much of what they call "Dancing" is just dry humping(why not do the real thing?). I do think ball room dancing, country type dancing and traditional dancing are interesting and takes some practice and a little talent. Not my thing either, but kind of fun to watch others do it.

[jeremiah]

It is time to segregate the sexes for schooling purposes. The close contact between the two groups is counterproductive to the learning of essential lessons, and distractive to concentration. The language and lack of respect for each other, in social interaction is appalling. Schools should be for learning, social clubs outside of school, can be for mixing. As a matter of fact, I would rid the schools of competitive sports, make them private affairs also. Waste of money, and something better taken care of in the private sector. As long as we are robbing taxpayers to educate our children, we should concentrate on that only.

In that way, respect will return to the relationship between the sexes. Children will learn without the pressure and distraction that sex brings, and the publics money will be more effeciently used. Familiarity breeds contempt.

[Wolfie]

How 'bout "random father" visits to the dance, as a deterrent. I know if I saw some little testosterone jockey "freakin'" up against my daughter, I'd teach him a whole new meaning of the word "grind".

[Jimmyclyde]

Until young Americans stop idolizing the MTV culture, this will continue.

At 3:00pm est turn on MTV and check out the videos.......

Freaking indead.

Rap stars are not role models, their criminals.

[FreeTally]

You make some good points, but I'd disagree with removing competitive sports. A great deal of lessons are learned and character is built through participation in competitive sports. As longs as we are going to have forced public education, I think athletics are an essential part.

[FreeTally]

How 'bout "random father" visits to the dance, as a deterrent. I know if I saw some little testosterone jockey "freakin'" up against my daughter, I'd teach him a whole new meaning of the word "grind".

LOL!! Yeh, that would stop the problem. Or the school should say, "OK, we are not going to ban it, but we will videotape the dance and give free copies to your parents"

[quack]

Amen!I enrolled my daughter this year in a Christian school.
The difference is amazing.She actually does this thing called "learning" there.Unfortunately,she had to be held back a year due to the fact that the curriculum is more advanced than public schools in our area.

[bonfire]

We came early to pick up my son at his 8th grade dance and saw some of the kids doing this. (this was 4 yrs. ago) I grabbed some teachers and we broke them up. Soon as the teachers walked away, they were back at it. 8TH GRADE!!

[jejones]

The point is that complaints that the coming generation is going to hell in a handbasket have been going on throughout history. (Ditto for gripes about new tastes in music; I can dig you up a quote of Jacob de Liege bashing that awful ars nova music from back around 1300 if you'd like. Very reminiscent of my parents and uncles talking about the music I listened to in my teens.)

Were I a gambling man, I'd bet that eventually "freaking" will be a category in ballroom dancing competitions, and that by then there will be some other dance that school principals et al. will be up in arms about.

[jeremiah]

I agree with you about sports, but competitive sports take large monies, and limit participation. Football will only attract a certain amount of players, but cost all taxpayers. I still remember the Boys Clubs having football teams after schools. It cost only those that want to play, and they could make up the price of uniforms etc, with drives and pay admittance. Lessons can be learned by rec leagues within school days, and before and after school. I too enjoyed the school spirit etc, but the money saved by cutting these sports is tremendous.

[nfldgirl]

Thank God for Christian schools.

Dittos, Quilla! DITTOS!!!

[cyborg]

I don't remember the movie but all I remember is the line by the nun... make some room for the holy ghost!

[nfldgirl]

As longs as we are going to have forced public education, I think athletics are an essential part.

Why not have intramurals, and then possibly, championship playoffs with all-star teams or the best of intramurals teams...this would cut way back on the ridiculous amounts of money spent on school athletics...money that could best be spent elsewhere, IMHO.

[DeathfromBelow]

hunching??

[Billthedrill]

I always said the same about that feller Elvis whatsisname. You gyrate around like that, you're gonna end up just like him - old, fat, rich, women hanging all over you...

Wait a minute...

[nfldgirl]

Were I a gambling man, I'd bet that eventually "freaking" will be a category in ballroom dancing competitions, and that by then there will be some other dance that school principals et al. will be up in arms about.

Well, just how much worse can it get? How about nude "freaking", or how about just "doing it" all the way, right out in public, with or without their clothes on...I mean get real! Just how low are we gonna go as a society! Hey, why not just start this kind of "freaking" in kindergarten...teaching it early-n-often! (sarcasm/off) Sheesh, already!

[WKB]

That's why Baptist won't make love standing up, God might think they are dancing!!

[Quilla]

The state of premonition? Ok, so I don't know the word for bump and grind but I think you get my drift.

[Paradox]

"Girls Are Stoopid" dance, thats what I call freaking.

Was it George Bernard Shaw who said that "Dancing is the vertical expression of horizontal desires."