Movies like Mean Girls and 10 Things I Hate About You depict prom as a magical, glamorous night. Growing up, I watched these movies that displayed prom as an incredibly special, once-in-a-lifetime event. I would fantasize about the dress I’d wear and my high school sweetheart taking me to prom.
I don’t doubt that, over twenty years ago, prom was an amazing night for high schoolers all over America. But these days, it seems that prom doesn’t have that same magic that it did in the past.
Prom has been a tradition celebrated by students since the late 19th century. It was originally modeled after the debutante balls of high society, symbolizing a young person’s step into the adult world, if only for one night.
Prom used to feel like a mini wedding. Students would wear tuxedos and long gowns.
“When I went to prom, all of the guys wore tuxedos. Nobody wore suits,” said Kevin O’Brien.
Fashion is more diverse now, allowing more personal style over traditional style, but the dress code is still formal. For men, this encompasses all kinds of dressier options such as dress suits, dinner jackets, and tuxedos.
Transportation has evolved over the decades. In the past, limos were the ultimate prom transportation flex, adding that “red carpet” feel to the night. For many teens, it was their first time riding in a limousine, which made the experience more luxurious and unforgettable.
These days, while limousines are still occasionally used, they’ve mainly been replaced by party buses and personal cars. These options tend to make the night more casual and, depending on the situation, cost-friendly.
Although fashion and transportation have changed throughout the years, I believe that social media is the main reason the prom “magic” has disappeared.
Prom is documented by girls and boys throughout the country, with the entire day on display for the world to see. This constant sharing leads to comparison and takes away some of the excitement and surprise that once made the night feel so special.
It’s not that taking pictures at prom is a new idea, it’s that prom has become a full-day production. From early morning hair and makeup appointments to hours spent taking photos for Instagram and recording videos for TikTok, the night’s original purpose – a young person’s “coming out” into adulthood milestone – is now broadcast for the entire world to see.
Everyone is seeing what everyone else is doing – what they’re wearing, who they’re going with, where they’re taking photos. It’s easy to compare your clothes, your ride, your picture location, and even the food you had for dinner with those around you.
This comparison can lead to thoughts of worthlessness, like your dress wasn’t expensive enough or your photos weren’t aesthetic enough. Suddenly, what should be a personal milestone has turned into a silent competition.
This will be my second year attending prom, and I can admit that I’ve definitely felt that stress surrounding prom. I worry about whether people will like my dress or if I’ll look good enough.
Other students have also felt that prom has become too stressful.
“I did not go to prom last year because I was out of town, but looking back on it I feel like I did not miss out on anything. So, this year I’ve decided not to go just for some pictures, an expensive dinner, and a short time at the actual prom just doesn’t seem worth it,” said Cameron Broer, senior, via direct message.
Prom is no longer about the dance. Instead, it’s about the pictures. More and more students are showing up for pre-prom pictures and dinner, but they’re skipping the actual dance. For those who do attend, many don’t stay long, and even fewer spend time on the dance floor. Nowadays, it feels rare to see students slow dancing or even dancing at all, despite this being such a central part of the prom movies I grew up watching.
“I’m not going to the dance considering I would be spending a short time there for such a heavy price tag,” said Matias Rodriguez, junior, via direct message.
Although she plans to attend the dance, she doesn’t expect to stay long. “I’ll be at the dance for 25 minutes max, if that,” said Jordan Pinder, senior.
Overall, social media has taken away much of the anticipation surrounding prom. We see hundreds of versions of it online every year, taking away the “once in a lifetime” aspect the night once held.
Who knows, maybe in a few decades the prom dance itself will go away entirely, and the night will fully be taken over by social media.
Leave a Reply