i dont get whats up with you americans and the prom!

down here in good old hard working new zealand we go to the school prom to have a good time with our mates and matesses. i cant believe that you spend all that money just to look better and richer than the guy or garl next to you!

shows a bit of insecurities i think.

OMG.. you people are crazy... I had two wonderful parents whom I knew made well over what was considered decent money. I on the other hand, got a job at 16 1/2 and worked ever since. I have never been without a job for more then a few weeks. I paid for my entire prom myself, paid for my car, insurance, cell phone etc. My parents never handed me anything. I even paid for most of my own wedding. And you know what? I thank god every day that my parents raised me to be responsible. I moved out at 21. Paid rent while going to college full time and worked full time. I now own a wonderful home, a car, a brand new motorcycle and have the confidence to know that I can make it on my own without anyone's help.

Parents today need to look back to the way they were raised. Never hand anything to a teenager becuase you won't be teaching them a thing. That is the reason why this generation is not going to survive in the real world. If your kid was dropped off in the middle of no where ( or in a bad neighborhood) would they be able to handle themselves and find their way home?? Probably Not !!!

So...if your parents couldn't afford to do for you, or chose not to, you're automatically morally superior to people whose parents worked hard to give their kids some luxuries? How egotistical can you get?

Let's say this isn't "all about you," and that young people, like older people, come in all stripes. Some people's parents can afford more or want to do more, others have a harder time of it, and what people make of their circumstances, whether lavish or humble, defines their characters.

The point of this article was that kids, like everyone else, have to cut back on some of the ammenities for prom. The point was NOT that "your kids deserve the best," or that "poverty makes you noble."

And you people think KIDS are self-centered.

I think the point really is that scaling back of prom is a good thing as it allows teens who would not have been able to afford to go to actually experience the prom and not always wonder about it.

Also, parents can spend their money any way they would like, it's their money they earned it so get over it. Children can be spoiled by money or spoiled by poverty.