When I was a girl (1970s), my parents went to formal dances a few times a year. I suppose that twenty years earlier, it was even more common for middle-class adults to have tuxedo-and-ball-gown events. However, now it is almost never done.
And my mother never spent the amount of money that is now common for 8th grade girls going to the middle-school “prom.” Mom never paid to have her hair styled for a dance, for example. She had a sensible short haircut, and she washed it and combed it, that’s it.
To me, it makes no sense for schools to hold these events. If people want events like this, families or community groups should organize them privately. I’ve known church groups to hold balls, and community organizations such as the Philippine-American Club. This creates a whole different set of standards for the youth, and keeps the ACLU and grandstanding dingdongs firmly out.
My kids went to proms outside of school. They were held on private property and almost everything was donated.
My oldest son went alone. My youngest went with a date.
There was a strict dress code for both. Back in those days though, no one wanted to switch clothes.
I went to both to make sure that’s where they were.
To this day they still don’t know that. :)
I don’t understand why this girl wants everything her way ? Why doesn’t she have her own prom ? Why should everyone bow down for her ?
Bears repeating!