Reader Response

December, 1988

The town of Purdy, Missouri (population 967), lost its one claim to fame when a Federal district court ruled that its school's 100-year-old ban on dances is unconstitutional.Town leaders had reasoned, "From past history, it is common knowledge that dancing involves other activities that are counterproductive and considered unacceptable behavior in the community." The list of "other activities"? Drinking alcohol, using drugs and getting pregnant.The court may also have agreed...