PROM HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS Beginning from the coed

PROM HISTORY

THE BEGINNINGS • Beginning from the co-ed banquets in the 19 th century, the word ‘prom’ comes from “promenade”, which is the act of showing guests formally at a party. • The prom was a middle-class replication of the upper-class’s debutante balls. • In textbooks, the prom is said to have started becoming a tradition in the 30 s and 40 s, but some historians believe it actually started as early as the late 1800 s. • Cotillion was the first major formal event for most young adults at the time.

EARLY 1900 S • When high school proms began in the early 1900 s, they were relatively simple affairs. • While the early proms of the 1920’s often featured a social tea and dancing, the proms of the 1930’s and 1940’s more resembled an annual senior class banquet where the participants dressed in party clothes and danced.

1950 S PROM • During the post-World War II, in the late 1940’s and 1950’s, the prom began to be increasingly recognized as one of the most important school social events of the year. • It was during this era that attending the prom with the “right date” began to take on special significance. • The location of the proms also began to change during the postwar boom years. • In previous decades, proms and school dances were held in the school gym or cafeteria. • As the 1950’s came to a close, a shift was seen from school venues to more sophisticated locations.

THE ‘ 70 S & ‘ 80 S • The high school prom began to take on an almost iconic status as a rite of passage from high school into adulthood. • Many popular films marketed to teenaged audiences over the past three decades either focused on the prom or included the prom as an important part of the storyline. • This indicated that prom had become an important life event for young adults.

SLIGHT CHANGES OVER THE YEARS • Nowadays, teens no longer wear their Sunday best attire to the prom. Teens usually opt out for elegant and elaborate dresses and suits or tuxedo. • According to research done by the University of North Dakota at Fargo’s Department of Home Economics, the typical prom couple spends an average of more than $500 on prom. • While traditional etiquette calls for the boy to ask the girl to the prom, girls have become more assertive and some will ask a boy to be their prom date. • Non-traditional couples are also becoming more commonplace at proms.

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED • Many high school students feel that prom is the most romantic night of their lives. • Competition to be chosen as a member of a prom royal court is always intense. • Proms and after prom events continue to be chaperoned by teachers and parents and sometimes include outside security personnel.