Help Needed: What's the History of Father-Daughter Dances?

In my work as Director of Research of the Council on Contemporary Families, I often get questions from journalists. A reporter for a national newspaper  would like to know the history of father-daughter dances or balls. (These were recently challenged by the ACLU.) If anyone can help on this topic -- or knows someone who can -- please contact me ASAP at coontzs@evergreen.edu.