I think the whole area of celebrations /rites of passage has mushroomed out of all proportion into obscene displays of commercialism - ordinary families aspiring to the celebrity lifestyles they see on the media and in magazines.
Yes, we always had "keeping up with the Joneses" but were realistic as to what was financially possible and within budget.
Many modern parents appear to need to prove, via social media, that they are excellent Mums and Dads by lavishing material goods on their children and this causes the peer pressure to escalate. In fact, as many of you have mentioned in previous threads, we have a generation of young adults who have an over-inflated sense of entitlement and a me-me-me attitude.
Nothing wrong with dressing up for parties and celebrations but the lifestyle expectations being fixed in the minds of the younger generation can only lead to heartache when , as adults, they are refused all their desires by virtue of circumstance. There is no longer a sense of anticipation - just I WANT IT : now.
Well done those parents who take a middle of the road line and source reasonably prices dresses etc for the Prom and do not bend to pressure.