1. Alyssa W. DOWNLOAD LINK
B: What does prom mean to you?
A: Prom, to me, is like the last big hoorah with the people that I’ve been with for 4 years. It’s our celebration of success and moving on in our lives.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
A: I think that it’s important because it’s a big part of high school and when I have kids later on in life, I want to be able to tell them that I went to prom and tell them about the experience I had.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
A: I do not think that Prom is a rite of passage. I think that sometimes people make Prom a bigger deal than it actually is. To me, Prom is just the last time you really get to celebrate with all the people in your grade – more like a bringing together everyone – including people you do or don’t talk to.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
A: I think the hype around prom and the anticipation of such a special day to people is why people pay so much money to do. When it’s something that everyone wants to go to too. I think that parents are willing to pay and want their kids to enjoy something that maybe they didn’t get the chance to experience.
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
A: N/A
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
A: I think that dressing up is what makes it more fun to go to prom, instead of it being a typical party, the dressing up part makes it more special. And as for the limo, I think that’s for people who want to go “all out” but, personally, I think you can have the same experience if you take a cab.
B: What do you expect from prom? Would you possibly consider it a life changing moment?
A: I just expect to have a good time at prom with my friends – to enjoy one of our last times together – to celebrate the ending of high school. However, I don’t think it will be a life changing moment.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
A: Prom is just a typical high school thing, it’s a special day, but nothing life changing. I don’t think I get more privileges because of Prom. I just think that prom is a way to celebrate the ending of high school, to enjoy the last few times with friends and maybe other people that you never really spoke to.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
A: N/A
B: Any final thoughts? N/A
A: Prom, to me, is like the last big hoorah with the people that I’ve been with for 4 years. It’s our celebration of success and moving on in our lives.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
A: I think that it’s important because it’s a big part of high school and when I have kids later on in life, I want to be able to tell them that I went to prom and tell them about the experience I had.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
A: I do not think that Prom is a rite of passage. I think that sometimes people make Prom a bigger deal than it actually is. To me, Prom is just the last time you really get to celebrate with all the people in your grade – more like a bringing together everyone – including people you do or don’t talk to.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
A: I think the hype around prom and the anticipation of such a special day to people is why people pay so much money to do. When it’s something that everyone wants to go to too. I think that parents are willing to pay and want their kids to enjoy something that maybe they didn’t get the chance to experience.
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
A: N/A
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
A: I think that dressing up is what makes it more fun to go to prom, instead of it being a typical party, the dressing up part makes it more special. And as for the limo, I think that’s for people who want to go “all out” but, personally, I think you can have the same experience if you take a cab.
B: What do you expect from prom? Would you possibly consider it a life changing moment?
A: I just expect to have a good time at prom with my friends – to enjoy one of our last times together – to celebrate the ending of high school. However, I don’t think it will be a life changing moment.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
A: Prom is just a typical high school thing, it’s a special day, but nothing life changing. I don’t think I get more privileges because of Prom. I just think that prom is a way to celebrate the ending of high school, to enjoy the last few times with friends and maybe other people that you never really spoke to.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
A: N/A
B: Any final thoughts? N/A
2 People who have been to Prom:
1. Cindy L. DOWNLOAD LINK
B: What does prom mean to you?
C: Prom was just another rite of passage, kinda. Just another thing to do as a senior.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
C: It wasn’t too important for me, I just wanted to dress up real nice and have fun somewhere fancy.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
C: Haha, like I said for the first question, Yeah, I feel like some people feel like they’re finally growing up and out of their high school stupidity.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
C: Prom was special because it’s like the final ball for all the people you spent the last four years of your life with before all separating a branching out into their own lives. I think people pay the money because it really is just a once in a life time experience, so why not?
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
C: Appearance and getting date are probably most important.
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
C: Well, I didn’t take a limo to prom. I didn’t get too fancy. Instead, a friend drove a bunch of us to prom. Dressing up makes everyone feel pretty – makes everyone feel better about themselves and having dates who dress and coordinate with you shows some sort of unity between the two and there may have been a significance in that gesture to certain couples.
B: What was prom like for you? What was the best part? What was the worst?
C: Prom was really fun. Just fun. The best part was just dancing with everyone but the worst part was the after-party. I basically paid 120$ for my date and I to stay for a whole 10 minutes in a club. It was nasty and crowded.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
C: I don’t think there are privileges of actually going to prom. The chance to go is the privilege. Going is just simply attending a party/banquet type thing.
B: What do you think of the social dynamics in prom? (The guy always asking the girl to prom.)
C: I don’t think they should stay that way. If a girl wants the boy they should go ahead and ask even with the risk of rejection. Everyone’s gonna get hurt emotionally no matter what so why not take the chance early. F*ck it, get what you want, take the risks.
B: Do you think the tradition of prom is homophobic, even now in the 21st century?
C: No. Homosexuals are even more accepted now than they were in the past. The tradition itself is not homophobic because it’s a celebration of youth, not heterosexual couples. It’s more so parents who are homophobic because some expect a picture perfect prom for their children and back in their day when people weren’t flamboyantly gay so same gender couples were not as accepted as they are today.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
C: Yeah, for some people, they dream about it until the day comes. Some girls think of it as the highlight of their high school career because how it seems in movies. Movies make them seem like the ultimate fantasy with its romanticism.
/div>
2. Chenny C.DOWNLOAD LINK C: Prom was just another rite of passage, kinda. Just another thing to do as a senior.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
C: It wasn’t too important for me, I just wanted to dress up real nice and have fun somewhere fancy.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
C: Haha, like I said for the first question, Yeah, I feel like some people feel like they’re finally growing up and out of their high school stupidity.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
C: Prom was special because it’s like the final ball for all the people you spent the last four years of your life with before all separating a branching out into their own lives. I think people pay the money because it really is just a once in a life time experience, so why not?
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
C: Appearance and getting date are probably most important.
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
C: Well, I didn’t take a limo to prom. I didn’t get too fancy. Instead, a friend drove a bunch of us to prom. Dressing up makes everyone feel pretty – makes everyone feel better about themselves and having dates who dress and coordinate with you shows some sort of unity between the two and there may have been a significance in that gesture to certain couples.
B: What was prom like for you? What was the best part? What was the worst?
C: Prom was really fun. Just fun. The best part was just dancing with everyone but the worst part was the after-party. I basically paid 120$ for my date and I to stay for a whole 10 minutes in a club. It was nasty and crowded.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
C: I don’t think there are privileges of actually going to prom. The chance to go is the privilege. Going is just simply attending a party/banquet type thing.
B: What do you think of the social dynamics in prom? (The guy always asking the girl to prom.)
C: I don’t think they should stay that way. If a girl wants the boy they should go ahead and ask even with the risk of rejection. Everyone’s gonna get hurt emotionally no matter what so why not take the chance early. F*ck it, get what you want, take the risks.
B: Do you think the tradition of prom is homophobic, even now in the 21st century?
C: No. Homosexuals are even more accepted now than they were in the past. The tradition itself is not homophobic because it’s a celebration of youth, not heterosexual couples. It’s more so parents who are homophobic because some expect a picture perfect prom for their children and back in their day when people weren’t flamboyantly gay so same gender couples were not as accepted as they are today.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
C: Yeah, for some people, they dream about it until the day comes. Some girls think of it as the highlight of their high school career because how it seems in movies. Movies make them seem like the ultimate fantasy with its romanticism.
/div>
B: What does prom mean to you?
C: Prom means to spend a great deal of time with school friends and have a nice time with them.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
C: Yes, I think it’s important, due to the fact that High school prom is the only prom that will be worth going to. College prom will be a while from now.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
C: I, for one, think it is a passage of transformation. To dress and act like a man – it’s like an initiation.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
C: Prom is special because it is a once in a lifetime deal. Especially for high school since you are not going to see your friends for a while, unless they attend the same schools.
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
C: To eat and chat with friends. To “express your feelings for one.”
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
C: Well, from experience, I saw many things, but what I thought I would expect to see if the people who you think you like, come up to you and talk to you.
B: What is expected from prom? Would you possibly consider it a life changing moment?
C: Yes, it has potential of becoming a life changing moment.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
C: No, I do not think you get more privilege. Prom is just a prom even though it shows to people you are more mature. It’s just an event.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
C: It is not a fantasy. My prom – I didn’t have any expectations so what and how they pulled it off surprised me. It was totally fun, I just needed a girlfriend to go with… ☹
C: Prom means to spend a great deal of time with school friends and have a nice time with them.
B: Is it important? If so, why? If not, Why?
C: Yes, I think it’s important, due to the fact that High school prom is the only prom that will be worth going to. College prom will be a while from now.
B: Is Prom a rite of passage? (Transition from adolescence to adult hood) Please elaborate on your answer.
C: I, for one, think it is a passage of transformation. To dress and act like a man – it’s like an initiation.
B: What makes prom special and why do you think people pay so much to go?
C: Prom is special because it is a once in a lifetime deal. Especially for high school since you are not going to see your friends for a while, unless they attend the same schools.
B: What do you think the dominant social practices around prom are?
C: To eat and chat with friends. To “express your feelings for one.”
B: What role does dressing up and the whole limo ordeal mean to you?
C: Well, from experience, I saw many things, but what I thought I would expect to see if the people who you think you like, come up to you and talk to you.
B: What is expected from prom? Would you possibly consider it a life changing moment?
C: Yes, it has potential of becoming a life changing moment.
B: Do you think you get more privileges now by going to prom?
C: No, I do not think you get more privilege. Prom is just a prom even though it shows to people you are more mature. It’s just an event.
B: Is prom somewhat like a fantasy? Please elaborate on your opinions.
C: It is not a fantasy. My prom – I didn’t have any expectations so what and how they pulled it off surprised me. It was totally fun, I just needed a girlfriend to go with… ☹
1 Person significantly older than me: DOWNLOAD LINK
1. My Mother (who requested her name not be put on here)
B: Have you ever been to Prom?
M: No, I have never been to Prom.
B: What does Prom mean to you?
M: Prom is nothing to me. In China, during my years in high school, I never had prom. There was no such event. There are only proms here. The kids here make prom such a big deal. From what I know, it’s the night that parents should be worried.
B: Why should they be worried?
M: The most obvious reason is that teens are out late at night, without supervision. Not all teens will make prudent decisions; therefore, some will regret some of the decisions they make on prom night. For example, having sex and then getting pregnant. That’s bound to happen to someone in this generation.
B: Why this generation?
M: This generation has been the generation to rebel against all things that are threats to their “freedom.” Most American kids will do what they wish, not giving mind to their parent’s wishes and concerns. They don’t understand the consequences.
B: Will you let me go to Prom in senior year?
M: Yes, I will. But, of course, I expect you to make the right decisions. Not to drink. Have sex. Or do drugs.
B: Why do people pay so much to go to prom? (including the dresses, suits, transportation, jewelry, occasionally the hotel room etc.)
M: They pay so much to feel special. If there’s a once-in-a-life-time chance for children to do something, they probably will. Prom is considered as something that only happens once. You can only experience it one way. It can’t be re-done.
B: Why can’t it be re-done?
M: It just can’t. 10 years later, you’d have a family to take care of. Your morals and values would have changed. Your definition of fun and special will have changed as well.
B: If you had the chance to go to prom, would you?
M: I would. I would go because it is something you only get to experience once. Everyone will be dressed nicely and hopefully act nicely too. I will remember people at their best. And their best sadly cost a lot of money.
M: No, I have never been to Prom.
B: What does Prom mean to you?
M: Prom is nothing to me. In China, during my years in high school, I never had prom. There was no such event. There are only proms here. The kids here make prom such a big deal. From what I know, it’s the night that parents should be worried.
B: Why should they be worried?
M: The most obvious reason is that teens are out late at night, without supervision. Not all teens will make prudent decisions; therefore, some will regret some of the decisions they make on prom night. For example, having sex and then getting pregnant. That’s bound to happen to someone in this generation.
B: Why this generation?
M: This generation has been the generation to rebel against all things that are threats to their “freedom.” Most American kids will do what they wish, not giving mind to their parent’s wishes and concerns. They don’t understand the consequences.
B: Will you let me go to Prom in senior year?
M: Yes, I will. But, of course, I expect you to make the right decisions. Not to drink. Have sex. Or do drugs.
B: Why do people pay so much to go to prom? (including the dresses, suits, transportation, jewelry, occasionally the hotel room etc.)
M: They pay so much to feel special. If there’s a once-in-a-life-time chance for children to do something, they probably will. Prom is considered as something that only happens once. You can only experience it one way. It can’t be re-done.
B: Why can’t it be re-done?
M: It just can’t. 10 years later, you’d have a family to take care of. Your morals and values would have changed. Your definition of fun and special will have changed as well.
B: If you had the chance to go to prom, would you?
M: I would. I would go because it is something you only get to experience once. Everyone will be dressed nicely and hopefully act nicely too. I will remember people at their best. And their best sadly cost a lot of money.
As I interviewed people for their perspectives on prom, I realized that they hadn’t really thought about the whole idea of Prom or why they would go or have gone. Going to prom was always just what was expected of each high school senior and if someone didn’t go, it’d be considered his or her loss. This comes to question, what is to be gained by going to prom? To the majority that I interviewed, Prom marked the last celebration of youth with the people you both either were fond of or disliked throughout the four years of high school. Alyssa W., a senior who will be attending prom this week, says “It’s our celebration of success and moving on in our lives…and the ending of high school…our chance to enjoy the last few times with friends and maybe other people you never really spoke to.” In Alyssa’s perspective, Prom is the last “hoorah” or rather more of an assurance that high school is finally over. This confirmation of the ending of high school seems to be the one thing that can kindle reaped friendships, partner soul mates, or even push people to become better friends with each other.
Unlike Alyssa, others reasoned that Prom was a chance to let people live out and become the way they wanted others to see them and therefore be envious of them. Prom is about the elite, the exclusivity, the lavish location, expensive clothes, and ostentatious transportation. It’s not thrifty to spend ridiculous amounts of money on a night that probably won’t be as great as one would’ve expected it to be. Cindy L., S.O.F. Alumni says, “Appearance and getting a date are probably most important.” Both of these things are definitely among the most superficial and insignificant things we desire out of the last glory day of high school. Appearance becomes important during prom night because it represents the chance to “branch out” of your old appearance and become a new person. By my definition, a new person, in this scenario, would be a person who was beautiful, social, rich, and several other adjectives that describe the elite/popular and script their actions. To me, prom is becoming less of a way to display maturity but rather an immature opportunity to win the popularity contest that is incorporated into cornucopia of social dynamics in high school.
Analysis Paragraph My mother, less of a prom-enthusiast, is indifferent about Prom. She doesn’t find much virtue for kids to go because although for some it may mean the best night of their lives, though usually it isn’t, for others it means the night that a love child was conceived, drugs were abused, or simply a huge mistake was made. However, my mother does say that Prom is advantageous in that it is a once-in-a-life time experience. “If there’s a once-in-life time chance for children to do something, they probably will. Prom is considered as something that only happens once. You can only experience it one way. It can’t be re-done.” Desiring a do-over prom is moot because prom will be remembered for what it was, either good or bad. A once in a lifetime chance doesn’t have to be enjoyable for it to be remembered. High school students want to be able to remember something worth telling. This is most obvious that even adults, like my mother, who haven’t even been to prom, realize this.
I cannot say that I received surprising responses from my interviewees during the conducted interviews. Nonetheless, the expected answers were telling and made prom bare in its entirety. Prom is a mere social event where all the social dynamics and hierarchy of power come into play. Let the prom organizers act as the working class, those who are attending as the elite, the prom king and queen as the royalty, and chaperones as the authorities and “armored guards”. The elite - those who will attend prom - either expect the best or the worst from prom and those who do attend prom, in fact, make it their duty to make prom night, the best night – the most memorable. Alyssa W’s opinions on Prom and its significance best match up to this interpretation of Prom. Alyssa says that the best way to finish high school is to ironically celebrate high school’s ending. Perhaps this is the best way to look at prom – to view an ending as a new beginning. This beginning is brought forth by an intensified desire to “go all out” and have fun on the supposed last day of youth with the people you’ve spent around 1,460 days with. The beginning would probably mark the ritual of an adolescent becoming an adult. Although, through interpretation, I have made prom shine in its the little virtues, I can assure you that prom also has its share of rueful aspects. These rueful aspects include teens’ willingness to spend bucket loads of money and consume conspicuous amounts of alcohol all in one evening and sometimes the next morning just to impress peers. Then again, prom only happens once, so why be the devil’s advocate by not going to prom when you can go and say that you went?
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