Why Do We Go to Prom?

[@pbsorigins]

This episode was another great fan suggestion sent to me on KZbin from Charlyndria Horton! Thanks so much for requesting this, we had too much fun making it. Now I have the hand jive from Grease stuck in my head. So it was a win/win for me. -Danielle

[@BaldingClamydia]

Love the episode, but I'd like to pick at Pretty in Pink a little. She's not upgrading from Ducky to Jake, from the beginning of the movie she's clear they're just friends. Additionally, throughout the movie she struggles with the fact that she has a crush on Jake and their financial differences, even to the point of having a conversation about it with him. He's pretty consistently portrayed as "not the typical asshole rich guy." His growth in the movie (imo) comes from giving up his adherence to what people expect him to be (the one with the perfect girlfriend throwing the best parties with the coolest people), and when he chooses not to let his friends pressure him about his choice of girlfriend.

[@CharMendoza]

❤ thank you! I love your videos! I learn something new every time I watch!

[@marim0y]

Every time I think, 'This video isn't for me,' you prove me wrong. I am constantly drawn in and engaged the entire time. You are a fantastic teacher.

[@ericacook2862]

I'd like to see the origins of special education. I've asked for this before, and I know it's likely not a popular request. But as a person with a learning disability, its a topic people need to better understand, especially within the communities of academia, science and history buffs. As much as I love both science and history, I'm not able to be a part of any science or nerd communities because I have learned my issues with spelling and reading make me unwelcome. I spend more time defending my challenges than loving science. Maybe things would change if they better understood what it took for me to have the right to the same education as them. I'm 40 which means I went to school when I was still designated as mentally retarded. Thank you.

[@fairycat23]

That sounds like a great idea for a video!

[@PoutineProductions]

I, too, would love to know the origins on Special Ed. In my hometown there were almost no special education programs and they refused to have me enrolled. I was put in a class with kids who had severe mental issues and was told I had to ride the small bus until my parents finally argued with them that I can handle a normal bus. Teachers pressured my parents to have me on medication. In special education, they didn't allow us to have recess, PE, or field trips with the rest of the school. We had our own building separately away from the main buildings. We had a student in my class who wanted to be in the talent show. They denied her entry and instead they would only let her on stage if the rest of her class (our special ed class) were to participate. I thought this was humiliating. Overall things have improved now but back then only a few years, It was pretty bothersome. Btw I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2003.

[@ericacook2862]

@@PoutineProductions thank you. I rode the short buss all through elementary school. The only reason I stopped was because my mom began taking me to school. If you add forced stabilization and not being allowed to leave when you rrached adulthood, your not far off from the origins. My negative experiences come from extreme bullying which evolved into sexual abuse as a teen.

[@SHAWNTESH]

I think that is a wonderful idea for a video. I had a son in special education.

[@ieatgremlins]

That would be a great video!

[@ohmyboo97]

I guess Prom for me really did mark my entry into adulthood. It was the day before my 18th birthday, so I was 17 during Prom, then at midnight, I became 18 and a lot of friends wished me happy birthday then.

[@kachnickau]

I was awaiting lovely appearance of Carrie as a "prom movie" but was just little bit disappointed :-D

[@kolleenwynn-gallipeau5784]

Me too, Carrie did change her class and social status! I was a total weirdo so being able to bring down the house was fantasy. Yeah she had to die but she took the jerks and her Mama down with her.

[@drasco61084]

Commentary on the themes in Carrie in the next video please

[@mhfromnh1421]

Carrie is more of a period piece.

[@danstiver9135]

I had no idea that segregated proms still existed into the 21st century!

[@jbielic4067]

Yeah knew stuff was different in the States but that amazed me.

[@5pctLowBattery]

“All they are [still] concerned about is to see that their sweet little girls are not required to sit in school alongside some big overgrown Negro.” -LBJ

[@carlaeyyy649]

Yeah but you know, racism is over right?

[@azelheidrruth1661]

I love learning from this lady! 😄

[@SHAWNTESH]

Yeah she's awesome!

[@pipe2devnull]

More of the world's conflicts need to be solved with dance-offs.

[@keeshabrown7353]

Yes. Reminds me of Michael Jackson's "Beat it"and The Fugees "Stayin' Alive." Both weren't full movies, but definitely mini-films (not just music videos). Also both had humor. Be well everyone. Grace & Peace ✌🏼

[@preetibane3513]

Lmao wth

[@dabarnes12]

If a dance-off isn't the pinnacle of civilization, I don't know what is.

[@kenxclout]

I feel bad for skeletons when they go to prom. They have no body to dance with.

[@kenxclout]

Larry O did you catch the joke?

[@LarryOfilms]

Ken Fulton {Baby Elder} lol I’m so slow to catch that. Noice!

[@brokenrhapsody8105]

bahah i heard the joke in third grade

[@randomalex5119]

Ba dum tis...

[@Anth0nB]

It's funny that the word prom comes from the french word "promenade" but when movies are translated and dubbed into french, they call it "bal de promo" which more or less means "ball of the graduated". "Promo" is like the short version of "promotion" which in this case means the group of people that are going to graduate.

[@missheadbanger]

I didn't go to prom, I saw it as pointless. It was a waste of money and I was a loner in high school, so I had no one to go with. For me high school wasnt about having friends, but to just get through high school period. I was happy enough about finally graduating, prom was in inconsequential.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

I am sorry you had such a miserable high school experience.

[@RockyC89]

I went once at 17 and again at 19. I enjoyed myself so much more the second time, knowing that prom is all hype alleviated much of the pressure on what to expect and allowed me to actually enjoy the party.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

Prom, to me, was little more than than a fantasy wedding with all the worst people invited. It was a party, pure and simple. Homecoming dance was similar. I had to put up with these jerks all year. At a dance they were jerks^2 because they weren't constrained by study or the teacher. So I didn't go, and I didn't miss it. 5th and 10th year reunions were the same. Get up to 25th year and people are halfway mature with better social navigation, and the party is a nice way to catch up and dance like a fool. Anyway, you stop caring and be yourself then.

[@LarryOfilms]

Gee, I’m sure kids would regret spending over 900 when they realize how broke they will be come college time.

[@MzShonuff123]

I know I went in 1996 but we didn't spend ANYTHING near that and all my classmates had our own jobs. Good lord!

[@Vampiislay]

Larry O i got my dress for free so I only spent 40 for the ticket 😎

[@LarryOfilms]

Honestly I think Prom is overrated. I agree it’s a great way to close a chapter in one’s life but just like a wedding, it’s supposed to be a celebration not how much my dress cost or do you even need a limo? I didn’t went to my prom but I have no regrets because nowadays I go to a lot of “prom like” events getting my money’s worth out of my suits and I can legally drink 😝

[@Vampiislay]

Larry O Prom is definitely overrated but if you love dancing and hanging out with friends it’s a good night :) forget limos and expensive gowns just go dance

[@Mimi22668]

This was a great video as usual! If you haven't already done it, could you make a video about various cultural rites of passage? Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceñera, etc.?

[@maybelle8303]

kinaalda too

[@kageisuke]

People used to tell me I would regret not going to my prom, but here it is 17 years later and my only regret is telling people I didn't go because they assume I regret it but SURPRISE. I DON'T AND NEVER WILL.

[@Iarmwrestlebears]

She is so fucking good. Such a fucking good public speaker, I wonder how many takes there are. If any

[@FifthAveAtFive]

I never went to prom, my friends and I did an anti-prom instead. I also didn’t feel like getting dressed up to that level with everyone else because I already had that experience when I had my quinceañera. Definitely felt more special as a rite of passage.

[@Zoegirl3211]

I only went to my senior prom, my sister sewed my dress, and I wore shoes I already owned, I only spent $20 on the prom ticket. On the bright side the ticket came with a free t shirt

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

👍Nice!

[@demh7823]

Promposals are among the worst things the younger generation has given to America. They are almost as vomit-inducing as public marriage proposals. What ever happened to the days of just walking up to the person you wanted to invite and asking them? Not to mention putting all sorts of pressure on the person being asked to say "yes".

[@pXnTilde]

I can't think of a single time there was a noteable "promposal" when I was in high school (~2007.) All those viral proposals are cringy as hell. The idea of asking someone you think might not say yes is weird, and if you know they're going to say yes why bother with the pomp?

[@GooberFace32]

I never even knew this was a thing until I watched this video.

[@demh7823]

@@GooberFace32 Yeah, unfortunately it is.

[@vld-yolobro1358]

"why are teenagers having fun and making their significant other feel special?" - This guy, 2019

[@IdahoTricia]

$900? Wow! I didn’t even spend that much on my wedding.

[@qwertyuiopaaaaaaa7]

I think a major aspect of prom that is still a definite right of passage is the purchase of what is likely a young man’s first suit. My prom suit was my only suit until I could afford to buy my own new one far after college.

[@grandma.p]

Never went to one. We had an anti-prom party in the 60s instead.

[@reno.corona]

Prom seems to me to be a precursor to a wedding. It's an old fashioned construct that sets young people up for the most anxiety they will have their whole school career. Yes, I went to my high schools junior and senior prom; and yes, I had fun at both. However, I would've been MUCH better off if I didn't have to worry about affording a dress, having a date, trying to get there (our proms were at a ballroom thirty miles away from the school), and every other trivial detail that surrounds Prom. I'm surprised that some more progressive schools haven't done away with prom altogether, or made it less formal. High school seniors get plenty of dances and parties anyway. I probably could've done without the added pressure at the time.

[@MasterGeekMX]

And for us the ones outside from the US, it is a school theing only they have, like football teams, lockers, popular guys and school buses

[@wesleyrm76]

Utah is an interesting place for culture. Every dance (Homecoming, Prom, Sadie Hawkins, and many others) has to have one of those elaborate proposals, with an equally elaborate response. There's a "day-date", usually something like laser tagging or a picnic, a dinner, the dance, and often a post-dance party like a movie or campfire. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work...

[@kirstengross904]

they played baby shark at my prom...

[@shawnnnnnie]

That's terrible😭😭😭

[@Kristina-gz2wu]

Why are hot dogs and buns miss matched and why are the dogs shorter than the buns?

[@wanderlustlovelace]

I'm scrolling and scrolling but no one has commented on prom outside of Europe. I'm from Czechia (Central Europe) and we have a Maturity Ball - it is similar and also quite a bit different from American prom. For example, it is 100% organized by the graduating class and is never held in the school gym (way too small and not fancy enough) - as a class, we had to reserve and pay for a ballroom, a band, moderator, decorations, sell tickets, raise funds and arrange the program. We invite are families (including grandparents and younger siblings (even if they are just eight), teachers, friends, schoolmates. The Ball is for the graduates as well as for everyone that knows them to realize that they are now mature, capable adults that will be leaving home very soon (everyone has usually already turned 18 at this point).

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

I believe American Southerners have a similar cultural institution called the Debutante Ball.

[@horseenthusiast9903]

Wait, people spend that much on prom??! I wore the green medieval reproduction dress I wore in eighth grade to a dance (if it fits, it fits), and made a new kirtle to go under it so it’d look nice. The most expensive things I got for prom were the ticket ($15) and dinner ($20). If you’re shelling out hundreds of dollars on prom, that’s downright wasteful.

[@RaeneeDaySimProductions]

My musical heart exploded after seeing HSM3 AND The Prom 😭😭😭 Of course Grease too lol

[@rem5782]

I'm making my own prom dress so I don't have to worry about spending a fortune

[@Ilovevintage77]

I didn’t spend a lot for prom. I bought a clearance rack dress at Macy’s did my own hair and makeup and borrowed accessories and jewelry from my mom. I went with friends we all went stag and had a great time. I got upset bc my three strand pearl bracelet broke all over the dance floor and it was my great grandmothers. People stopped mid dancing to stoop and pick up tiny pearls!! Embarrassingly my parents came to get me at the end. But it was a lovely time. Otherwise I was not allowed to go to other activities so I really cherished this.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

That was so nice of them!

[@UmmYeahOk]

$900? Seriously? Who hear was smart enough to not go? 👍

[@NoiseDay]

Flash back to childhood where I argued with my cousins that a prom and a ball were not the same thing

[@NoiseDay]

Also prom is just an over-hyped birthday party

[@amyeichel7486]

$900? I feel like this is a gross overestimation. I went in the late 2000s and I don't know anyone who spent even a third of that money.

[@freeman042210]

Get Outta my dreams, get into my car🎶🎵💃🕺

[@SHAWNTESH]

Yessss!!!

[@ProfessM]

I asked the same question. Then shrugged and never went. Best part of my senior year.

[@coopercook216]

Don’t think I’ll be going to mine either kinda feel like I’m not missing out on much tho a lot of people that go to our prom are just the rich kids and the wannabe celebs

[@talithacrow7530]

The most expensive thing about my prom was my boots, but I’d had them for about a year before prom and wore them and still wear them all the time

[@miss.benton2984]

I went to prom in 2004 and you know who was prom king and queen the kids on the freaking prom committee....smh I hated that school . I want a prom do over I never got asked to prom . My god brother and i just went half tix because it was the same price for a single tix for prom.

[@awesomedez]

"Why other people go to prom"

[@vickymc9695]

We have a leavers ball in the UK, but couldn't go because of bigotry. We were advised not to go, by a nice teacher who overherd the Head. He said he'd kick me and girlfriend out if we went. He even said he'd call the police if we may a fuss.

[@UFBMusic]

Well it certainly sounds like that school was run by a massive bell end. If you don't mind me asking, how long ago was this?

[@chillsahoy2640]

I'd be curious to hear about the origins of the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag, and especially how that was added to daily school life.

[@MzShonuff123]

Originally "Pretty in Pink" was supposed to end with Andie and Ducky being together but John Hughes was concerned he'd actually be sending the message that two people from different classes shouldn't end up together so he changed the ending. I'd argue that's more about Blaine growing up (rejecting his classist friends' and parents' ideals to choose Andie) but also about Andie's decision to stand on her own ("I just wanted them to know they didn't break me"). She goes to the prom in a killer dress despite not having the money for one (though she did get fabric from her friend and dad, suggesting it's not about how much money you have but more about having good relationships with others, in a very ABC Afterschool Special way), which also kinda gives the finger to the 80s worship of capitalism. I'd say it still meets the formula you spoke of earlier. I agree about "Sixteen Candles", though. Just cringeworthy all these years later.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

😝 Ugh! How the man that made 'The Breakfast Club' AND 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' make a movie as awful 'Sixteen Candles' is something I will never understand.

[@nrolofson]

You highlight a number of prom films but how about prom horror including the "Carrie" and "Prom Night" franchises?

[@Justicecouture]

I can listen to her all day!!!!

[@jso6790]

This was a wonderful piece of sociology. Thank you!

[@DragonGoddess18]

Meh, I didn't go to prom, didn't seem like a major deal to me It's nice to know the origin of this, though

[@servant74]

Being a nerd in the era, I skipped prom. I still wonder if I missed anything. It took me a bit longer than most to grow up. I consider college graduation my 'coming into adulting', more than any other time. Just not what most of society chooses to views as a life demarcation.

[@MrJasonshores364]

I went to my prom in 1995. I was gay and wanted to appear normal so I took the most beautiful girl to show them I wasn't some piece of garbage. Stupid me. Spent $1,000 on dress, tux, hair, limo, food and flowers only to be there for 2 hours then leave because it was fucking lame. Most popular guy in the class tried to beat me up in the bathroom then 2 hours later asked me to blow him. None of this seems to matter but it sums up the experience. It's a bunch of kids playing at being adults without any of the actual responsibility. All I talky have from prom is some pictures of a night that sucked balls.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Too bad 'Prom' (2011) was never mentioned. It is such a sweet, little Disney movie.

[@Dayglodaydreams]

Is it ethical to try to "make a move" on your maid? If not? Why does George Bailey do this? I know it is a 40s film, but still. She's also African American and portly (mamie stereotype). She tells him off. The family laugh. Why does this scene in this American Christmas classic disturb me, even though I like the conflict between the banker and George Bailey.

[@levinb1]

I feel like there is a Shakespeare quote somewhere which encapsulates the phenomenon we call “Prom”.

[@SD-hs2pk]

I always get distracted by the wardrobe, but I love everything else about this channel sigh

[@pbsorigins]

Aw thanks! so sweet :)

[@pixelised]

It seems almost a pity this series probably takes most of your time because it looks like you could build a radiant path as a KZbin film critic… 😉 But then again you're so good at what you do on this channel and few (if any) other KZbinrs do that so everybody wins, I guess. 🤔 - We as viewers gain a unique historical channel and movie reviewers are spared to face fierce competition. 😝

[@alexiswelsh5821]

Me and my dad didn’t go to our proms. I don’t care for dances, unless I’m at a ball and know the dances.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Prom is also responsible for roughly 4500 alcohol related deaths each year. Also there is a chance for pregnancy, contracting STD’s, and prom violence. The amount spent is up to over $1100.

[@andrewsurnaj2505]

There is always a chance for pregnancy when so many teens of opposite genders are cooped up in a room provided there is alcohol as well.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

@@andrewsurnaj2505 unfortunately true!

[@juice8431]

when i went to prom i dumped my girl and went to watch cap america civil war because deep inside my mind i knew that was far more important

[@dayshawnalexander5654]

Prom was so much fun! Not long enough.

[@4everu984]

Love the hostess!

[@IkomaTanomori]

How about Monster Prom?

[@steve154life]

I Haft been to 3 proms and a Sadie Hawkins dance only one of those waz my own.

[@dollyjoseph3938]

I was pretty much pressured in going to the prom. I didn't really want to go

[@Viechlover]

So interesting to think about The Great Gatsby now. They never really transformed into adults & living their consequences, celebrating prom all night. Also mr gateby enters high society through “prom nights” & try’s to transform himself to his last missing puzzlepiece of being the man he wished to be in younger days: being daisys man. Eventually the immatureness killes the one who tries to become the mature one. Dreams killed -as so often in life- by those who are triggered.

[@kayceebingham8242]

Why do we have school districts?

[@ieatgremlins]

That outfit is glorious!

[@RHoficial_chalange]

Good think,,, smartpeople

[@hazey_dazey]

i didn't really care about prom, but i went anyway just to have an opportunity to dress up and hang out with my friends. it was fun, but nothing incredible

[@Cae_the_Kitsune]

I can verify that I certainly did not want anything to do with prom as a queer teenager. Although that might have to do with my own interests and disinterests as much as prom being historically pretty heteronormative.

[@IceFireTerry]

never went to prom

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Can you do a video on the origin of locked doors? Or door locks?

[@ilacjones]

Grease's dance was not an actual prom. It was just a televised dance.

[@dystanysam9896]

I didn’t go to my prom , I didn’t care for both of mines JR & Senior years of Highschool

[@caramoonlynn]

Aww. My son spent his own, hard-earned money on prom.

[@lolamarie441]

Hello from Canada where we have no prom but a similar graduation ceremony/dance/banquet

[@pipe2devnull]

we got proms

[@sarahp6512]

Where in Canada are you from? Where I live (NB) we have prom.

[@lolamarie441]

Sarah P I’m from Toronto, Ontario and we moved to Alberta and there’s no prom here either. There’s a dance and graduation ceremony but we don’t call it prom and we don’t have kings, queens or junior proms either.

[@lolamarie441]

John Bradley Evans What province are you from?

[@sarahp6512]

@@lolamarie441 We don't have kings, queens, or junior prom either, but we do call our grad dance "prom". In my school district we also have a dance called "narp" (not a real prom) at the end of middle school.

[@MrJasonshores364]

I think prom is fun if you're into it but kind of a waste of money. My portion was in 1995 and I spent $1,000 on me and my dates dress, hair, tux, limo, dinner and flowers. We were there 2 hours and they played country music that no one danced to. Except the strange kids that creeped me out. It was a waste of money.

[@raskult]

U aren’t gay anymore?

[@jljordan1]

Didn’t get a chance to go.

[@drasco61084]

What?? How was that average calculated? Lol I put on one of my dad's dress shirts and some slacks for my prom. I always thought people were whack getting limos and all that

[@GalaxyGirl08]

I never went to prom☹️

[@Snowshowslow]

Interesting :-) But also slightly depressing near the end. When you said "Prom is not available to all" I assumed you were going to be talking about poverty, but segregation?!? Same sex dates not allowed? In some places the '50s are alive and kicking...

[@mantunes339]

is the dance from grease really a prom?

[@Donteatacowman]

WHAT @ prom costs ?! Whattt?!?! I don't remember where I got my prom dress but I absolutely did not pay more than $30 for it, and then admission would have been, what, $15? For a disappointing night where I came out of the closet to my best friend, had no date, and all the students left early because the administration kicked out a kid from another school who took his shirt off on the dance floor? Nine hundred dollars?! Good gravy. I know some kids due promposals and stuff but I didn't think that was the norm???

[@Donteatacowman]

oh and yall remember zombie prom? where did that go :(

[@MichelleDespres]

These millennials should be happy they didn’t have to endure square dancing in gym class like we did

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Bring it back, man

[@barbaralanoix3795]

Wasn't ALLOWED to go to mine and I'm still pissed about it. R.o.p I didn't get to experience

[@SHAWNTESH]

😞😞😞

[@genuinepessimist5185]

I had a great time at prom and I'm still with my high school sweetheart!

[@Dayglodaydreams]

What's the point of football homecomings? Are they not pointless social functions (leading question)? Why is the team coming home so integral to my educational experience (high school or college)? I'm not in school anymore, but it is still stupid.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

The social function in and of itself IS the point.

[@jimb3093]

I never did do prom. No big deal to me.

[@ecurewitz]

I never went to the prom

[@HappyAshraf]

So many pregnant teens for their so called passage to adulthood and alcohol related deaths.

[@melquicarvalho]

Why is that even a thing? lol I'm from Brazil...

[@lewatoaofair2522]

"Van Jen-nep?"

[@silverman1941]

I never went to prom

[@theeviking7395]

I don't but I live in Australia. I just want to learn about american culture.

[@klebersilva9823]

Why can't everybody go to the prom night and dance with anyone who is willing to, like any night out? Why do you have to ask and take someone with you to the prom night? I don't understand. I am not American.

[@oyasuminerd]

i didnt go to prom and im pretty sure if i did go it would have been a meh experience at best

[@royass8309]

"We?!"

[@juliapool2593]

I should be doing my Homework instead of watching this...

[@Patrick_Knowlton]

class of 2020: why do we what

[@Patrick_Knowlton]

me when i hear people who graduated in 2020 say they went to prom: 🔪🔪🔪

[@NayvieNoir]

Maybe if we brought back the tradition of social dances/balls, prom wouldn’t be such a big deal

[@rachaelknudsen8801]

I attended church dances from the time I was 14 into my early 30's. Prom was still a big deal. And this was only 20-some years ago.

[@brokenrhapsody8105]

I plan on never going to a "prom" or a school dance

[@brendakrieger7000]

I didn't go to my prom