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Original poster

Prom Queen??? Really??

159 replies

FraeYah · 03/07/2022 14:02

My niece was voted Prom Queen. She is a really lovely girl, kind and clever, and I wrote something lovely on the FB post.
But, come on. Why are schools promoting this nonsense? I'm not objecting because it's an American idea, and not because its aimed at girls (there was a Prom King...and a Prom prince); but because it's completely unnecessary and about as relevant as Miss World. They could have had a fun celebration in fancy clothes for everyone, without having to run an outdated "popularity contest" pitting children against each other.

OP posts:
OneMomentPlease · 03/07/2022 17:00

My goodness the misery! I really think you are over thinking this. It’s fun, proms are for fun, the kids have something to look forward to, to enjoy planning with their school friends. You know, in a way they haven’t been able to for the last two years….

Prom King and Queens are meaningless and I’d be surprised to find a teenager who would take it to heart. Most of them would probably just be embarrassed tbh but it’s certainly not going to damage anyone!

Original poster
FraeYah · 03/07/2022 16:56

Yes- there's a lot about prom that is fun and I'm not against it all. It's just the Prom Queen/ King business. I can't see it has any redeeming qualities.

OP posts:
Trinity65 · 03/07/2022 16:25

QuestionableMouse · 03/07/2022 14:07

It's just a bit of fun, isn't it? Prom in general is an American thing so it's not that weird to include prom king/Queen.

Hell, my village does a king/queen for the summer fete. Harmless fun.

This ^

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 03/07/2022 16:12

I try not to sweat the small stuff that doesn't affect me (although DS is Y10) but the pics friends have put on FB recently of their kids going to proms in designer gear and Ferrari's/Limos/police cars really made me eye roll. If the kids enjoy it then fair enough but I dread to think how much money is spent on it, and for clarity we are not in a wealthy area at all.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/07/2022 15:29

Totally agree

We don’t need to import that bit of American culture

motogirl · 03/07/2022 15:27

@lunar1

That's the part I really disagree with, and the poorer area schools seem to have more of a culture of lavish prom traditions (mine went to years 9, 11 & 13 proms relatively recently and were fairly down to earth, dresses from quiz or Amazon suppliers, own make up, parents drove them, one of my DD's switched to private and that was no more elaborate

BiFoldChampion · 03/07/2022 15:19

We had an end of 6th Form dance. Percy business teacher was in heaven he got off with about 3 6th formers at the club after.

I got to slow dance with my history teacher and got told off by my English teacher as she said my History teacher is a married man!

Deadringer · 03/07/2022 15:17

Yes because attractive popular people don't get enough awards/rewards in life already. 🙄

TeenDivided · 03/07/2022 15:17

user1471530109 · 03/07/2022 14:17

I do agree with you btw.

But our school have carried on the 'tradition' and the kids have deliberately voted for 2 'non-popular' kids who happen to be best friends. It doesn't have to be the usual popularity contest. It's been years since the last prom and I can't remember who won in the past?

Oh great. So the cool kids have voted in 2 on-cool ones as a joke.

Maybe not, but it so easily could be like that a way of laughing at them in plain sight with plausible deniability.

PuckeredArseFace · 03/07/2022 15:16

Itsrainingatlast · 03/07/2022 14:31

oh come on. It’s a bit of fun and not necessarily a popularity contest. At my school the boy voted Prom King was recognised by his classmates (and teachers) because despite his mum dying in the middle of his GCSEs, he showed massive bravery and still sat all his exams. But we also have other awards “most likely to be Prime Minister” (most of our Y11s would do a better job), “most likely to become a teacher”, “most likely to be on Love Island” etc.

Why though?
It's just bloody ridiculous
Lovely as that young lad is, does he really want his tragedy marked like that?

lunar1 · 03/07/2022 15:11

I saw lots of pictures of this years prom on FB from school parents. They are spending more on dresses than my wedding dress cost! My friend tile me that by the time they'd finished her DD's prom had cost over £1000!

It's absolutely insanity, there were personalised balloons and a gift bag at home for pictures.

Whatsthisallaboutconfused · 03/07/2022 15:09

Yes it’s horrendous

BellePeppa · 03/07/2022 15:08

Aquilegia23 · 03/07/2022 14:26

I'm so glad this didn't exist in my schooldays.

Thank god prom didn’t exist never mind prom king and queen!

BellePeppa · 03/07/2022 15:06

It’s a horrible idea and should not be seeing the light of day here. Some American traditions need to stay in America.

Itsrainingatlast · 03/07/2022 14:31

oh come on. It’s a bit of fun and not necessarily a popularity contest. At my school the boy voted Prom King was recognised by his classmates (and teachers) because despite his mum dying in the middle of his GCSEs, he showed massive bravery and still sat all his exams. But we also have other awards “most likely to be Prime Minister” (most of our Y11s would do a better job), “most likely to become a teacher”, “most likely to be on Love Island” etc.

maravais · 03/07/2022 14:31

It's so uncool though! That's the part I don't get. How did teens become so unbelievably lame that they would go in for this stuff.

It's like discovering the new youth trend is telling people off for being rude (oh wait...). ;)

motogirl · 03/07/2022 14:30

Leavers party is fine, but the dresses costing a weeks pay, the limos, the professional hair and make up, the having to have "a date" and yes voting for a king and queen we really don't need to import!

DD's leavers ball was great, parents were invited too, one of the teachers brought his band along as the entertainment and we took an Uber. Her dress was £50 admittedly but as she was 18 it did for university balls too.

Smokealarmwakeup · 03/07/2022 14:29

Florenz · 03/07/2022 14:27

Are they going to have "Homecoming Queens" next? The whole Prom thing is ridiculous and should be abolished in British schools.

Quick! Cancel the fun! They are having the fun in America so we shouldn’t be having it here.

Smokealarmwakeup · 03/07/2022 14:28

We do it! We pick it as teachers and we vote for slightly less self confident students that normally go under the radar, those that work hard throughout their school career, never put a foot wrong and we think would appreciate the confidence boost.

Florenz · 03/07/2022 14:27

Are they going to have "Homecoming Queens" next? The whole Prom thing is ridiculous and should be abolished in British schools.

Aquilegia23 · 03/07/2022 14:26

I'm so glad this didn't exist in my schooldays.

Luxa · 03/07/2022 14:22

and having a good time

Luxa · 03/07/2022 14:22

Unnecessary and outdated. Surely the focus should be on everyone being celebrated Anshan if a good time.

ginislife · 03/07/2022 14:19

My lad was voted prom queen and turned up wearing a dress !! (He has now gone in to be a girl so not unexpected)

user1471530109 · 03/07/2022 14:17

I do agree with you btw.

But our school have carried on the 'tradition' and the kids have deliberately voted for 2 'non-popular' kids who happen to be best friends. It doesn't have to be the usual popularity contest. It's been years since the last prom and I can't remember who won in the past?

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