Year 10 formals—have they become too extravagant?    066

Children these days seem to be facing intensified social pressure to prove themselves to their peer group, and to others, in various ways. One such source of pressure is the growing trend for Year 10 formals to become increasingly extravagant. Some parents pay out a great deal of money for expensive clothes and transport such as a stretch limousine or a water taxi etc. At many high schools the Year 10 students themselves organise these events, which although providing leadership opportunities for some students, can leave worry in the minds of parents about the adequacy of supervision.

Many students regard a Year 10 formal as a both a right and a rite of passage, and generally become incensed when it is suggested that these formals are scaled back or significantly modified. Such students usually go straight onto social media with a variety of hate mail. Unsurprisingly these events are very well attended with at least 75 per cent of Year 10s turning up, on average. Unfortunately, sometimes a number of special needs children do not turn up, perhaps because no specific provision is made for them on the night.

Apart from clothing and transport there can also be pressures to come with a ‘date’. Although at most schools this would only involve a small minority of students, it must be remembered that these are only 15 or 16-year-old children.

Research on adolescent development is fairly unanimous that romantic involvement at a young age can be associated with reduced school performance, curtailed educational goals and a general neglect of other types of relationships and friendships. In some cases things can end badly, damaging children’s self-esteem. Resisting peer pressure and having respect for people, on the other hand, is associated with academic success. The reality is that children who study hard and qualify for a well paying career are the ones who can later afford marriage, children and some sort of lifestyle, that is, the real thing.

So where does this leave your children? Articles on the subject suggest the maintenance of a wide range of friendships, and also spending time with extended family members such as uncles, aunts and grandparents are valuable sources of positive influence. Now that the majority of Year 10 students continue to Year 11 there is perhaps less need for this type of event. So my view is that unwanted pressure to conform with extravagant Year 10 formal expectations should be resisted. Just say no. If parents are unsure about what might happen at a particular Year 10 formal then they could communicate with the school, and this would also help teachers understand that parents do have concerns.

All content copyright—Mark Thackray—Australian Educational Services