When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s social media. Everything is a big deal now.

Thus nothing is a big deal now.

[Anonymous]

I graduated in the late 90s and we did a few of these things, but nothing over the top.

When did this hoopla of graduation everything start, did people do all this back in the 50s/60s/70s?

[Anonymous]

I think rural communities where HS graduation may be a real accomplishment, maybe the first in their family, make a big deal about it. Gifts, parties, etc.
I see it as more of just an expectation, not an accomplishment.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a UMC community where nearly everyone was headed off to college, and I graduated from a public highschool. All the way back in 1992. We had all this stuff and more (baccalureate, senior recognitions in sports/activities/academics, mother / daughter tea, father / son BBQ, even yard signs). OP only has one kid. Just do what you want to do OP. It will be over soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s social media. Everything is a big deal now.

Yes! And heaven forbid you only spring for buying the graduation yard signs that the school offers instead of getting one done by a private company/person.

Here's my question: are graduates expected to take a gift to each party they attend? My DD is invited to 22 different grad party/open house type events in the days leading up to graduation and on graduation day. Does she need a gift for each one? Or is it a "your presence is a present enough" type situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My only child is graduating this year. It’s been soooo much to keep up with in terms of senior celebration stuff. Multiple awards ceremonies, multiple picture submissions (baby/current), senior yearbook ads, senior letters, senior pics, senior walks, walks at the middle and elementary schools, senior week, senior shirts, senior yard signs and nhood signs. Grad announcements, invites and thank you notes. Parties. $$$$ Plus the baccalaureate (what’s the point??) and graduation ceremony itself.

Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.

Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?

Wow, I thought my senior was over the top. All we've done is senior sunrise, senior pictures, prom graduation announcements, prom, senior sunset and a graduation party. We're having fun with it, but we skipped out on a bunch of stuff that you are doing.

[Anonymous]

It's always been like this, op, and I graduated over 20 years ago. And it should be a big deal, getting through school is hard, it also marks the end of childhood and the start of adulthood, another huge deal.

[Anonymous]

Oh Lord, I have twins graduating from different high schools next year. I’ve been worrying about what I will do if their proms and graduation ceremonies are held at the same time on the same day, but I guess we’re in for a lot more conflicts than that.

[Anonymous]

Do other countries celebrate high school grads like the US does, is it a big deal overseas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only child is graduating this year. It’s been soooo much to keep up with in terms of senior celebration stuff. Multiple awards ceremonies, multiple picture submissions (baby/current), senior yearbook ads, senior letters, senior pics, senior walks, walks at the middle and elementary schools, senior week, senior shirts, senior yard signs and nhood signs. Grad announcements, invites and thank you notes. Parties. $$$$ Plus the baccalaureate (what’s the point??) and graduation ceremony itself.

Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.

Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?

You know not every graduate is college-bound, right? To many, this really is the last big deal for a while

This. Just don’t do what you do t want to do. Why is this so hard for some people to do?

[Anonymous]

Oh no, I just have one and she is starting high school in the fall. And she’s the type who will want to do allll the parties. God help me.

[Anonymous]

For most students, this is their one and only graduation. That’s why it’s a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand the hate for it. There are truly very few reasons to celebrate these days. We are often too busy to get together with family and friends. It’s nice to have an excuse to do so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh Lord, I have twins graduating from different high schools next year. I’ve been worrying about what I will do if their proms and graduation ceremonies are held at the same time on the same day, but I guess we’re in for a lot more conflicts than that.

I agree that a graduation conflict would be tough. But If their proms are on the same day that shouldn’t be an issue at all. It may even be nicer to have them both getting ready on the same day. After all they just go to their own prom anyway.

[Anonymous]

A big deal? They darn well better graduate from high school.