Two staff writers debate whether today’s teens take dancing too far.

Let fools dance how they’d like
BY IAN MCGEE
Staff Writer

While some people may have complaints about the manner in which people behave themselves at prom or formal, it isn’t really anybody’s business how others choose to behave themselves at a dance, especially when they just paid $100 for a ticket.

It may be gross to see classmates grinding on one another, but is it really going to affect anyone? While most people are enjoying their night together, some are sitting there complaining about the behavior of others and wasting the money they spent on the ticket.

People understand that twerking is icky. Really, everybody thinks so, unless they’re the ones doing it. The problem is that it isn’t a decision for anybody to make but those involved. They are the ones who will look like total imbeciles, so take a look and laugh at their expense, but don’t waste the evening whining about it.

People’s behavior at events like prom is their own issue, and if they want to act like a maniac for a night, let them. After a month, most people will forget, and for seniors, it’s unlikely most classmates will see one another for the next 30 years.

Critics say that behavior such as this is evident of a moral decline in society, but what about all of the old ladies who called young girls strumpets for listening to rock music in the ‘70s? All of the older generations will call the younger ones lazy and immoral, but that’s only because they forgot how to have fun after they “grew up.”

Further, many people get upset because it is a public display of affection that they aren’t a part of. Seeing a guy or girl dancing with their significant other can really strike a chord with someone, especially if that person needed a friend to set them up just to have a date.

Just because some people may find things inappropriate, it doesn’t mean that society should eliminate them.

The vulgarity and sexuality of today’s dancing is not necessarily a reflection of this generation. It is, however, a reflection of the society put in place by the generation that came before. In a world built off of the past generations’ rising sense of freedom and vulgarity, who should judge the current generation’s behaviors and newfound personal publicity?

Provocative dancing ruins prom
BY KELLI ROJTAS
Staff Writer

A lot of people enjoy prom because they get to dress up and hang out with their friends, while others go for the dancing. However, a lot of this so-called dancing has become completely inappropriate and the center of prom controversy over the years.

One of the most common forms of teen dancing today is grinding.

While many high school students may say that it is just harmless fun, grinding promotes promiscuous behavior and adds to the sexual indecencies that are becoming too common in today’s society.

The fact that this type of dancing is expected at school dances can make some uncomfortable and turn them away from dancing altogether.

In addition to grinding, twerking has become a prominent style of dancing.

This is basically just bunch of girls looking like Miley Cyrus at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. That’s not something to be proud of.

After all, when paying $100 for a prom ticket, people don’t want to spend their night feeling like they are watching a bunch of backup dancers in a Nicki Minaj music video.

Also, many people leave dances covered in sweat, and there are even a few ripped dresses by the end of the night. Too much time and money is spent on hair, makeup, and prom attire only for them to be ruined after two songs.

It is fine to dance and have fun at dances, but students should still leave looking presentable.

Older generations often look down on younger generations for their offensive dancing, but grinding and twerking cross the line. Elvis swinging his hips doesn’t come close to the provocative ways of today’s teens.

Today’s dancing takes away from the sentimentality of prom. Everyone comes dressed to the nines, but the music and dancing turns the much anticipated night into a vulgar event.