Prom Is A Rite Of Passage

Superior Essays
Prom. The word alone can bring pleasant images, feelings, and thoughts to the mind of most Americans. It is a tradition in our culture to attend prom at least once in high school and those who miss it, miss an experience that cannot be replaced. Students of today often imagine a fantasy evening filled with sparkles, romance, and ultimately, the best night of their lives. However, is prom worth the money? In today’s world, the event can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Some feel prom is not worth the money and they choose not to attend prom at all; their lives go on, and they do not feel they have missed out on anything. As a student’s education comes to an end, prom is a significant event and the last celebration they will most …show more content…
In America, prom has been a part of our school and culture for more than 100 years and a piece of high school culture since the 1940’s. To put it plainly, blogger Joanne Sallay states, “For many, prom is considered a rite of passage” (“Why Prom is Worth All the Fuss”). Prom is a huge milestone for high school students. In addition, in an article by Jesusemen Oni, they support this idea when they say, “It's a spring ritual. The boys don tuxedos or suits, and the girls wear elegant dresses, shedding any appearance of adolescence, if just for one night” (Oni “Prom Still Iconic Rite of Passage for Teens in US”). Prom is the one night where adolescent teens can feel like kings and queens for the evening. A night where they feel as if they own the world and are a part of a tradition in their culture. The reason prom has become such a rite of passage as opposed to any other dance like homecoming or winter formal comes from the idea that prom is an event that cannot be missed under any circumstances. For those in our country who do not see prom as a rite of passage, one can argue that tradition and culture says otherwise. If an event can be traced back more than 100 years, then it has become a tradition and a rite of passage in our country. Grandparents and grandchildren can both share the same experience despite living during a different time in our country. An …show more content…
After fifteen years of school, prom is a great way to celebrate the upcoming achievement of finishing high school. Students have worked so hard on their classes for year and years. Prom can be a fantastic way to enjoy their accomplishments. Some may argue that students can celebrate after the graduation ceremony itself like during a “grad nite” event. However, in our culture, those celebrations are relatively new and not every school offers that opportunity while most offer a prom. Prom, as mentioned before, is a tradition in our culture and can be seen as a celebration, especially for those seniors finishing high school and entering the next stage of their life. For many students who choose not to pursue college or university, high school will mark the end of their formal education. Prom is then a must-attend event for anyone who is finishing high school as it also signifies the end of an era as well as a celebration. As Joanne Sallay states, “Prom can be one of the most memorable events in a young person's life” (“Why Prom is Worth All the Fuss”). With so many arguing that prom is worth the time and money, young people should consider the opportunity to attend prom and take advantage before that chance is gone. In addition, prom is worth the money because it is a time to celebrate friendships. The friendships made in high school are significant in a

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