All dances in High School welcomes all students to come and enjoy something outside of academics, but is it acceptable to go to a Formal dance without a date?
It seems that all people would like to attend a dance but end up not going because they have no one to accompany them . People naturally don’t want to go alone, because they either don’t want to be singled out, or feel as though they need to go with someone. Why does high school have the pressure of finding a date in order to attend formal?
Some students result in going in a friend group, while others don’t attend at all, because of the fear of not fitting in. Why are people scared to go to a dance simply to have fun? Many feel as if it is an obligation to have a date in order to have fun and enjoy the night.
Neftaly Gonzalez ’21 recently attended the 2019 formal without a date, but instead with some friends. When asked is she felt pressured into finding a date in order to attend the dance she responded with “I don’t feel the obligation to go with someone.” She expresses that high school dances are meant to involve students outside of the stress that occurs in academic work.
Neftaly continues to say that going “in a group of friends is completely normal” in fact she prefers it because “when you have a date you feel entitled to be with them the entire night.” Going to a dance without a date allows a person to be free and meet other people. She adds that with friends it is more “comfortable” because it is not awkward.
Jasmine Luna’22 agrees with Neftaly completely. She feels that the teenage society is always worried about “having a date,” that they lose the ambition to attend school functions at all. She always pushes herself to be involved no matter what, and encourages others to have the same mindset.
Jasmine continues to communicate that going to a formal dance without a date is “acceptable” because it is not a standard. Going with friends can be just as enjoyable as going with a date. The pressure of needing to “go with someone” should be rid of and better yet school should be a safe place for all to feel welcome.
lily Mendes
Lily Mendes '21 is a senior at Redwood High School and is a second year member of the Redwood Gigantea. Outside of the Redwood Gigantea, Lily is apart of CSF, Spanish Honors Society, Key Club, and Interact. Lily also has taken 5 COS classes, including three her senior year.
You can reach her by email at Lily.me2993@vusd.us
Tags: Redwood, redwood high school
