The Surprising History of Prom

The Remarkably Modest Beginnings of the Modern-Day High School Formal

Outrageous "promposal" viral videos, extravagant dresses, stretch limousines, and weekend-long post-prom blowouts—modern-day prom in the United States is an iconic high school experience, but has it evolved into a spectacle of excess?

Prom is the formal gathering held at the culmination of the high school academic year typically consisting of dinner, dancing, and a post-prom "after-party." While there's certainly nothing wrong with high school students getting together for a celebration, the high expectations for prom-goers today puts a lot of pressure on students and can lead to dangerous consequences.

The over-the-top traditions surrounding present-day prom are far from the humble ideals behind the very first proms of the late 19th century.

Humble Proms of the Past

The original proms began at colleges in the Northeast, and were created as a way to teach etiquette, social skills, and all-around good manners to young adults.

"Prom" is short for promenade—meaning the march of guests at the beginning of a ball or formal event. Prom's creators borrowed the name from the fancy, formal gatherings of the well-to-do, but these first meetings of college students were quite modest. The graduating class would simply dress in their "Sunday-best," and gather for tea and light refreshments.

Proms were first held not in swanky hotel ballrooms, or decked-out high school gymnasiums, but at unassuming university venues. One of the earliest- known mentions of prom is from an Amherst College student's journal in 1894, which describes his experience at a prom at neighboring Smith College.

By the early 1900s, proms were steadily gaining popularity. They were popping up at high schools throughout the country as parents and educators thrived on the idea that a formal dinner and dance could help teach etiquette to America's youth—provided, of course, that the event was heavily chaperoned.

High Expectations, at a High Cost

Prom did not start transforming into an extravagant event until the 1950s, following America's economic boom after World War II. High schools now had larger budgets to spend on prom venues, which in turn raised the total cost of all prom-related purchases from the dress, to the corsage, to the mode of transportation. Romanticized ideas of the "perfect prom night" became popular in television and movies throughout the rest of the 20th century, which has helped contribute to the larger-than-life expectations associated with prom today.

For many teens, the "perfect prom night" means attending the perfect after-party with all of their friends. Since prom's high expectations can cause a lot of anxiety for attendees, they may choose the after-party, where adult chaperones are few and far between, to truly let loose. Unfortunately, this often leads to underage drinking.

The Truth About Prom and Alcohol

There are a number of startling facts about prom night:

• More than 90% of teens believe their fellow classmates will likely drink and drive on prom night.
• Only 29% believe that driving on prom night comes with a high degree of danger.
• 36% of teens said their parents have allowed them to attend parties where alcohol was present and available.
• 14% of teens say their parents have hosted teen gatherings with alcohol, violating Pennsylvania's law regarding Social Host liability.
• 54% of students drink more than 4 drinks on prom night.

It's the simple truth that some teenagers will engage in underage drinking on prom night. It's a dangerous gamble, and the consequences can turn disastrous—especially if teens decide to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Preventing Drunk Driving Through Education

In an effort to prevent drunk driving by directly educating future prom attendees, Edgar Snyder & Associates sponsors the Save A Life tour in local high schools.

Prom began as a way to teach young people about the right way to act as an adult. It's our goal to help teenagers make the right choices—whether it's on prom night or any other night of the year. That's why we've compiled as many resources as possible to fight against drunk driving:

• Take our Safe Driving Pledge
• Share our Drunk Driving Infographic
• Share our Social Host Infographic
• Learn about our "Words to Be Heard" Scholarship Contest
• Alcohol is missing from your house

If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one, contact our law firm for a free case review. It's always free to speak with our legal representatives, and there's never an obligation to hire our law firm. We'll get you the answers you need.