Chhayhee Sok
Debate
November 27, 2020.
School should have a prom (opposition essay)
Promenade or otherwise known as prom is a formal dance event for students in their
junior and senior year of high school. Prom gives a chance for students to have fun, to show up
in their most extravagant attire, but most importantly, to give teenagers a memorable once in a
lifetime experience that they would cherish forever. However, prom is not perfect. It also has its
disadvantages. In this essay, I will be discussing why I disagree that every school should have a
prom.
The first reason is clear; prom is expensive. When attending prom, not only do you have
to pay for your formal attire, but other expenses include fancy limousine services, tickets for the
venue, dinner and more. According to a survey conducted by Visa in 2015, it shows that the
average cost of attending prom is $919. Nine HUNDRED and nineteen dollars. That is a huge
sum of money and sometimes you aren’t guaranteed that you are going to have a good time.
Some people are even left feeling a little bitter and disappointed. On the other hand, think about
what you could do with that money. You can donate it to people in need or even pay for a
round-trip ticket flight to a tropical paradise on the other side of the world. Everyday, we are
privileged enough to be attending a private school, have a place to call home and eat three
meals a day, but unfortunately not everyone is this lucky. Not everyone can afford to put food on
their table. So what if we use that money for a good cause? For a change? Even a small portion
of that money can transform a person’s future for the better.
Second of all, all schools should not have a prom because it puts lots of pressure on
students. Students, especially junior and seniors, already have a lot on their plate. They are
faced with lots of pressure, whether that's academic wise or pressure on deciding their future
pathway. On top of that, you want to ask them to attend prom? I think that is too much. But, of
course, you may be thinking, well prom is a choice, you are not required to attend if you do not
wish to. However, teenagers will be teenagers. They strive to fit with their friends and avoid
being left out at all costs.
Lastly, schools should not have a prom because we are concerned about their safety.
Teenagers can make poor decisions that can lead to serious consequences. For example,
many students are likely to drink on prom night because of peer pressure. According to
pyschologytoday.com, 90 percent of teens will get drunk and drive on prom night. This can lead
to accidents such as drink and driving. According to a report by AAA, 87% of teens are likely to
drink and drive rather than calling for someone to pick them up.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that every school should not have a prom because it is
expensive and might not be worth the money, it puts lots of pressure on students, and lastly, it
can cause devastating consequences.