PROPOSAL PRESSURE

UNPOPULAR OPINION: PROPOSALS ARE NOT ORIGINAL AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY PEER PRESSURE

BY TAYLOR HAMILTON

Whether it be dress-up days or attending Friday pep rallies, October is the beginning of many cherished high school memories. However, October is also a month of public proposals where girls obsess over if and when they will be asked to homecoming. Although one can agree that homecoming is a week filled with school bonding and spirit, homecoming proposals seem like an unnecessary tradition to add onto everything else.

After prom proposals became a trend, tedious homecoming proposals followed. Although it is hard to say how this trend became as grand as a marriage proposal, homecoming proposals have generally become tacky. One will often find a homecoming sign saying something like “You will brighten my day if you say yes to Homecoming?” Not only are these proposals more on the basic side, but they don’t show off any creativity as well. With billions of websites, like Pinterest, to give teenagers ideas, it becomes quite easy to copy someone else’s proposal, making many simply unoriginal and not special.

Back in the 90s, people just asked someone else to a dance without anything special, but that seems to be rather unheard of in the current generation.

for guys to put on a show for others. Social media is also one of the main things to blame for the pressures of homecoming and prom proposals. People will post pictures and videos of these proposals and cute signs, which in turn pressures guys into doing something extravagant as well.

One of the most harmful aspects of homecoming proposals is the public eye. Although some people might enjoy receiving the attention, others might be afraid to reject someone if others are watching. Because these proposals are often done in front of an audience, a girl inevitably feels the pressure to say “yes” despite a guy’s good intentions. This is likely because being rejected in public is simply embarrassing, which makes the girls feel pressured to say “yes” so the boy doesn’t get hurt. Occasionally, the girl will say “yes” but then say “no” to the guy later, which is an extra blow. The worst part, however, is that girls who decide to say “no” could be labelled as disrespectful. “Yes” can’t always be the answer. Rejection is, unfortunately, a part of life, and no one should fall under the illusion of saying “yes” just because they were presented with a poster board and given flowers or candy. Although homecoming touching moment. Whether the proposal is coming from a significant other, secret crush or good friend, a thought-out proposal with a cute poster board, flowers and candy can truly make someone’s day. When homecoming proposals are done with someone’s heart and feelings in mind, they can turn out beautifully, even if the phrase on the poster is somewhat cheesy. As long as someone makes their proposal personal and authentic, the proposal can be a truly special moment. Despite the fact that some proposals can be sweet and beautiful, homecoming proposals have overall become an obligation rather than a nice gesture. Although homecoming proposals can be creative and thoughtful when executed well, the rose petals, cheesy poster boards and flowers can be a waste when someone could just simply ask the question. These proposals would be better if they all truly came from the heart and didn’t add unnecessary pressure. Something that should be wholesome is currently a mess of cut-up poster boards, colorful sharpies and unconventional stress.