Why is sweet sixteen important

In a traditional debutante ball, the symbolism centers on purity and ownership: The deb wears a white ball gown and is accompanied first by her father, then by a younger male escort. A deeply class-based tradition among the rich and Waspy, the balls were originally a way for families on the Social Register to announce that their daughters were eligible for marriage—classism with a nice eugenic twist although African American cotillions did emerge in the early 20th century.

And debutante balls still exist some as charity fundraisers , especially in the upper echelons of Southern and Midwestern society. Bush and the daughter of Arianna Huffington. Like the princesses I loved when I was younger, debs revel in elegance and beauty, but their identity ends there—as a cookie-cutter image of the marriageable woman.

A collective family dream in which the pretty daughter is both proof of good breeding and a bid to improve the stock through grafting. The age itself means something different for girls than for boys—if not marriageability nowadays, then at least sexual readiness. Of course, other adolescent rites of passage have their flaws—modern bat mitzvahs can be incredibly lavish, and team sports enforce their own narrow view of masculinity—but at least their participants do something.

These traditions may seem like a harmless way for a family to celebrate a daughter, but their trademark pageantry and passivity completely miss the point. And for girls who will still have to fight for equal pay, reproductive rights, and general respect toward their sex, stepping into the real world requires the opposite of passivity. A rite of passage is a celebration of growing up, a presentation of a hopeful future.

Some were well aware of the archaic stereotypes their parties reinforced, yet they believed that the Sweet Sixteen celebrated something more profound. The Horizon Sun. RSS Feed. Submit Search. Features A Very Sweet Sixteen. Navigate Left. Navigate Right.

Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via Email. For every similarity between a quinceanera and a sweet 16 birthday party, there are just as many noteworthy differences. Obviously, the biggest one is age — a quinceanera is a celebration for a girl who is turning 15, while a sweet 16 party is simply a huge birthday bash for a young lady turning Each type of party is extravagant, memorable and elaborate, but both definitely have a diverse set of differences you should be aware of.

This type of party typically begins with a religious ceremony at a Catholic church. Make your presence known by greeting guests when they arrive and making appearances throughout the evening. Even an informal sweet 16 birthday party should be special. Make or order a special cake. Send out invitations at least two weeks in advance and request that attendees RSVP. Consider enforcing a dress code to add a bit of festivity to the party. Theme parties are increasingly popular and need not be expensive.

Ask your daughter if there is any special theme that she would like, then involve her in the planning and budgeting process. Consider her interests and plan a surprise gift. Examples include a hot air balloon or helicopter ride, a weekend cruise vacation, or even an hour of flying lessons. You can also take the opportunity for a family vacation.

As your daughter grows up, there will be progressively fewer chances for the family to travel together. A sweet 16 birthday is a special occasion. The birthday marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, so talk to your daughter well in advance about the type of celebration she would like to have. From formal parties that are reminiscent of debutante balls to informal gatherings at the bowling alley, sweet 16 parties are truly limited only by your imagination and budget.

Keep in mind that the specific activity is much less important than the sense of celebration that accompanies the activity. Your teen signed a celibacy pledge and participated in sex education classes at school.

Is it still necessary to talk to her about sex?