<p>geek_mom, With all due respect, why would your son ask the girls FATHER if it’s okay to ask his daughter out? Why not the mother? Frankly, I still find that paternalistic and if I were the girl, I would be offended. As a parent, I want to know who my kids are doing things with, whether it’s boys or girls, a date or just going to the movies but no one needs my permission to ask for them to do something. Of course, my son needs to make sure that a date (not a person, but the logistics) is okay with me, but it’s between him and his girlfriend to decide what they do. ummm, within reason! 
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<p>I trust my kids judgment in choosing all their friends.</p>