The origin of Prom came from France. It was a derivative of "promener", which means to go for a walk. The etymology of prom is "prominare", in Latin that means "to drive forward" or "to drive the beast off." From 1920, many American high schools and colleges opened prom parties along with a change to more open society and industrialization. After World War I, industrial productivity in the United States had soared tremendously. National GDP had increased 64% in the period between1919 to 1929. Wages and household net incomes also increased. The automobile industry especially blossomed at that time. More than 20 million automobiles were running on the new high ways. Americans has more freedom than ever before during the 1920’s before the Great Depression. Prom was widely held in that time period.

Prom parties in the Victorian Era (1837 to 1901) were a formal ballroom dance parties within high society groups for elites. It was like an entrance ceremony. However, the modern prom party held in junior and high school has different aspects compared to the function of parties held in the early ages. Modern prom parties have important functions. First it is the last and biggest dance party managed by the school. Secondly, it is a distinctive event in which the participants start moving up to the real world as independent individuals. This can be considered as an informal rite of passage. Many cultures have specific or religious ceremonies such as marriage, baptism, Bar Mitzvah, Quinceanera, etc. As American culture is more acceptable to all religious and different ethnic cultures, we adapt all the different elements of coming of age part of the rite of passage in a form of prom. Prom is held by all schools and has specific guidelines as a dance party that considered the most excited event to all students before they get into the upper stage of life.

It can be a test and trial of mating process. It is a great exercise and experience to meet a suitable partner resembling marriage, which is a pseudo-marriage. Girls wear fancy prom dresses, and boys wear formal tuxedos. A boy comes to the girl’s house, and her parents give a formal permission to go to the party. Most importantly, a gift can be exchanged instead of marriage ring. Prom planning and preparation are very similar to marriage preparation by couples. The planning and preparation of prom can be a daunting task to the girls and have high peer pressure. They usually worry about many things such as prom dress appearance, make-up, hair style, accessories, and especially their partners. However, if they prepare early with a good plan, this can be a very valuable experience in their last moment of high school hood.

Modern prom in year 2000s has be characterized very lavish and become more expensive. If you buy designers’ dresses, those cost you easily over $300 or even $1000. Hair, shoes, accessories, bags and allowance, all together can be more than $500. However, if you plan right, buy a generic designer’s dress from online, you may save good money. You should remember prom is a time where you can enjoy and show who you are, not a time full of worry or financial burden.

Everyone is deserved to share good times with many friends in prom. You will be a queen to someone in the prom.

Enjoy.

Thank you for reading this article.