Column: School dance policies have evolved over time
As generations have passed and different lifestyles and subcultures have evolved, so too has the conception of social interaction and the execution of school dances.
Based on past editions of The Wooster Blade, dances today are hardly reminiscent of how they used to be in the past.
The first major point to note is that in today’s school calendar, students have three or four dances total to attend all year, while students a few decades ago organized dances after almost every home sporting event.
Additionally, according to The New York Times, the idea of chaperoning in many high schools used to be much more lax than what is seen today.
Dances today consist of numerous teachers weaving around to keep an eye on everyone, but a few decades ago, students were basically left to their own devices.
Furthermore, today’s dances have transitioned away from live performing musicians to all kinds of different genres played in a concert-like format. Dances and similar events are not regarded as formal in the same sense that they used to be. Of course, the procedural photos and dinner have stayed the same, but the atmosphere today seems to be more upbeat and carefree.
Dances are no longer as frequent a source of entertainment as they used to be, but certain traditions and special events will always remain constant.