Here are some of the dozens of readers' comments we received yesterday in response to Attorney General Kim Wilson's comments on the dancing in the Santa Parade:

Rachael Burrows said: "I took my daughters aged six and two to the parade and was absolutely appalled at some of the dancers.

"I cannot believe that some parents think it is okay to sexualise their children. There is nothing even remotely cute about watching little girls dance to 'make your booty pop'.

"I was on Front Street and looked across the street at the crowd and all the parents were shocked to the core. If we can't even take our children to a Santa Claus parade without exposing them to this garbage, where has our society truly gone?

"Perhaps there needs to be stringent rules as to what is appropriate in the next parade. Too bad I won't be there as I and many others won't take that chance again."

Holly O'Leary said: "I was shocked and appalled by the multitude of 'hip hop' dance troupes represented in the parade and the scanty nature of their dress and sexually suggestive dance moves.

"Unless I am guaranteed in some way that the parade will in fact be targeted at children next year, this will be my first and last Santa parade in Hamilton. I felt held hostage to my promise to my six-year-old daughter that she would see Santa and spent most of my time trying to think of ways to distract her.

"And most importantly, I felt deeply saddened that so many mothers and fathers would feel it is acceptable to let their daughters do this and/or be unaware of what was happening. Please bring back a 'wholesome', family Santa parade!"

Richard Cox said: "Sen. Wilson is right on. I attended with my wife and daughter and commented to many about the gyrations some of the girls had.

"This sort of stuff belongs in a certain type of club, not on the streets with thousands of kids watching. Never again."

Lucinda Woolridge said: "I too shook my head in pure disappointment and felt embarrassed for the young children that were there.

"I can't remember the name of the particular dance group, I could only remember what they were wearing silver with white tutus. There were at least two other dance troupes that also displayed inappropriate dancing. I believe the more 'boot/baton' majorettes performed more appropriately."

Ian Thompson said: "Since when has the gangster or sexually infused R&B been festive or appropriate for young children?

"The highlight of my kids' parade? Elmo, Sparky the Fire Dog and Santa himself. I'm pretty happy that some things don't change."

Jason Benevides said: "I too attended the parade with my wife and two small children.

"When one takes their children to an event that is supposed to be Christmas-themed and generally targeted to young children, watching young girls gyrating to non-Christmas adult-themed music is neither expected nor appropriate."

A couple who only wanted to be referred to as 'grandparents' said: "Like Sen. Wilson we also left the parade. My son and daughter-in-law stayed only because the kids wanted to see Santa, but they and their friends were upset with the dancers and music as well."

A woman who wished to remain anonymous said: "I totally felt that this year's Christmas parade was very disturbing. Some of the performances, I did not even want my child to see.

"Christmas is a time to bring love and good cheer, but most of the performances were so disrespectful. The choice of songs danced to had absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. The songs promoted more violence and lots of sexual connotations.

"Then we wonder why our Country is the way it is, if we promote our young people to act the way they did."

B. Crockwell said: "I think MarketPlace did a fantastic job on their floats and Santa was perfect, but some of the hip hop music that was played so some of the dancers could dance was ridiculous.

"The groups that were doing the butt-shaking were not majorettes. I did stay to the end because I had my two little granddaughters and they wanted to see Santa and the gombeys. But my mom, 86, says she will never attend again."

Jenny Purvey said: "I was at the Santa Parade with my three children, aged eight, six and two.

"Going past me one group was playing a song I don't know, but the word it was blanking out was clearly meant to be the 'f' word. I could not believe it.

"It was very shocking as this parade is for young impressionable children. I know many, many parents that said they do not go to the parade because of this. How sad is that, that parents are not taking their children to a parade that is designed for them."

Marsha Burke said: "When I hear 'Santa Claus parade', I think of Christmas music and a parade appropriate for small children that appeals to their imagination, not a sexy majorette competition. I too said 'never again'."

Anne Medeiros said: "It should be made mandatory that ALL groups and ALL floats be Christmas-themed and play Christmas music if they wish to be in the Santa Parade. It should be like the Christmas Boat Parade, but on land.

"Twinkling lights, happy people waving, holiday music playing!"

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "To the dance troupe leaders, I ask that you consider the future of these young people before they 'drop it like it's hot' or 'pop, lock and drop'.

"It's really not cute, it's the beginning/seeds of a lifestyle that potentially leads to promiscuity, immorality and the like."

Amani Flood said: "It's about time someone with prominence spoke out about these dirty majorette dances. This has been going on for a long time."

'Shalaunte' said: "I was in the parade and I think that all tha dance groups were dancing excellent. None of the groups were dancing sexual and the music don't mean nothing.

"The groups I am referring to is St. George's Original Dancerettes, Hype Energy & Split Personality. We dance groups work hard and put time in it. We know the rules to perform in public. If we didn't, would you think our leaders would let us."

A 'young person' who did not wish to be named said: "All due respect to Senator Kim Wilson, instead of criticising the majorettes dancers out there, why don't you discuss how we going to stop our young people from shooting each other.

"It seems like to me our Government has so much time, they worry about every little wrinkle but are not worried about the rip in our Country."