Extreme prom
Prom season is in full swing in the Valley and our teenagers are obsessing, as usual, over the who, what, when, where and why of prom night. I thought that things were pretty elaborate here in Fresno on prom night, what with all the expensive dinners and dresses, limos, tuxes, professional makeup and hair appointments. But hey, we're leading the simple life compared with some other parts of the country. A recent USA Today story describes kids who are making prom an entire weekend event that's practically a wedding celebration. I've always thought an organized after-prom party sounded like a good idea. But folks in other places are not only having an after party, but a pre-party dinner as well. That makes it a three-day ordeal. If you've ever seen those goofy kids on the "My Sweet 16" show on MTV you get the idea. Can you say "overkill" ? Scary, very very scary.
Comments
I am glad to see your concerns, Gail. I have been concerned for a long time as I watch most of my grandchildren's prom events escalate. Reality is far different from that, and I think we are leading these kids to a downfall when they are self-sufficient. We are leading them to think life is like that--with someone else's money in most cases. I loved my one granddaughter who had a soccer game beforehand, so showered in ten minutes, popped into her sister's hand-me-down dress with hair barely combed and off she went. That is how is shoudl be. (My other seven grandchildren have gone the elaborate way, but grandpa has remained silent!)
Posted by: Phil Fullerton | April 24, 2007 8:19 AM
Nobody wants to lead ones they love to a future downfall. So of course it would be wrong to let our children and grandchildren have extra money to make prom extra-spectacular if it somehow led to their undoing. But are extravagant proms really what undo teenagers today? There is no reason to think that extravagant proms would. Yes, some highschoolers go overboard. But girls putting it all on daddy's plastic were already spoiled to begin with. And targeting extraordinary proms as the primary way parents ruin their kids would be to miss the bigger picture.
What I'm saying is: If you think your grand-daughters/sons are spoiled, tell them. Otherwise, drop it. For some of these kids prom night is the very peek of their social lives. Sad as that may be, you wouldn't want to ruin that. Would you?
Posted by: Joshua Schroeder | April 25, 2007 9:30 AM
Aww,I would've loved having a prom like that!!
I'll admit that my husband and I did contribute money (along with other relatives)to our nephew's prom because we wanted him to have a nice time. All donations helped to secure the limo, dinner, attire, and a corsage. Which was more than our nephew originally thought he'd be able to have.
I'm sure he also would've enjoyed having a prom like the one featured in the blog. But the thing is, he's not spoiled. There were no demands or expectations of what he should get. That's the difference between the young people who really get everything they demand and the young people who gratefully appreciate whatever they receive.
I agree that proms should be special times. Besides, we never get to look that fancy again except at our weddings. And if the kid's not a spoiled brat, he or she won't be ruined by the little extras for a prom.
Posted by: Ann | April 26, 2007 1:55 AM