HW 58 - Prom Interviews

I interviewed five people on the topic of prom. The questions I asked were extremely different for each person. I did this because I know all of the interviewees very well so I know what questions would get a better response from who. I interviewed three family members and two friends. The three family members included my father, my mother and my grandpa. Only my mother had attended a high school prom out of the family interviews so her interview is longer then my grandfathers and my fathers. My friends included a senior who had just attended a disaster of a prom and my friend Sigal who is a 10th grader who has yet to attend a prom.

Dad:

My dad had never been to his own prom. He recalls possibly going to a girlfriend prom but he is not positive. His lack of memory possibly reflects the popular practice of drinking until you cant remember anything. Because of his ether lack of experience or lack of memory on the topic, we mostly discussed his opinions on the ceremonies. He stated that he believes that prom is just a party. He said that in the movies people look at it as a way of making fun of people. He did say that he liked the idea of partying for the last time with your class mates but he does think it can be over done. 

Sigal (10th grade girl):

Sigal had not put much thought into the matter prior to the interview. When I asked weather she would go to prom she said that she would if she gets asked. I thought this represented the typical view from many girls. Why is it that women are afraid to ask out men? When I asked her if she would be willing to ask a boy, she would be willing to ask a boy to prom but it is not typical. From this answer I figured out that she has the same feelings as many other people with regards to prom and date finding. Personally I would be willing to ask a guy to prom. It seems that Sigal has conflicting feelings on the matter. We then discussed how she thinks the media has effected her perception of prom. She states, "the media has made prom into a fantasy instead of reality. It is not always a perfect night, for some it is just a overly expensive party."

Mom:
My mothers only prom experience was not with her own school. It was with a friend of her brothers and it was a blind date. She recalls awkwardness as her date expressed anger towards the fact that she had gotten her prom dress from a thrift store. She particularly enjoyed getting ready for the prom but the actual party was a disappointment for her. I think this was because proms are looked at as good by party's and she did not know anyone there and her date was annoying her. She said she enjoyed getting flowers and a wrist corsage but she regrets going on a blind date. When i asked her what she would change about the American ways of prom she said that she would like to see kids go with large groups of friends instead of just with a date. She points out that it can make people feel bad who don't have dates. 

Emi (senior from non sof high school)

Did you go to your prom?

Yes I did. I went to my prom took a 23 year-old named ben. We showed up an hour and a half late. It was not late enough. It felt really uncomfortable. Until an other hour went by an people started arriving. 

DId you go to any after parties?

Yes but i did not stay out too late it was so awkward I had to keep apologizing to My date.

What social norms did you observe?

My school tried its best to abandon all of the social norms involving good clean fun. All of my teachers were doing cocaine in the bathroom. the two gay, one male and one female teachers start making out. Even though this made prom interesting, people were a little bothered by the teachers taking the attention away from their prom. Also everyone, teachers and students alike, were smoking cigarettes.

My friend never highlighted any social norms and seemed to have a completely bad time. With this interview I decided to keep it as is and not summarize it because just about everything she said was interesting. The concept of teachers taking over prom is truly bothersome to me. All justifications I have heard about prom have been saying that prom is a chance for the kids to say good by to each other. This was not the case for my friend. The teachers stole the show. I would be pretty angry if teachers started behaving this way at prom. Maybe its a double standard but I would understand if students acted this way its their time to have fun.