How to convince my parents to let me go to prom?

[Ally_x]

I'm almost 16. My first prom is in a few months, but the payment is due this month. My parents are your typical, conservative Indian & Christian parents. How do I persuade them to let me go? They hate me hanging around boys, but I go to a girls school. The boys school is attending, but I know no one in my year, and I also intend on going with my friends.

They're worried about drugs, since they've heard from an older boy that goes to the other school that he didn't go since he heard about the drugs at his prom.

I know at the moment this seems like an unmovable decision, but are there any fair arguments that might be able to sway them slightly?

( Yes, I know after parties are off the table. Yes, I'm slightly upset. )

Updates

+1 y

My mum's swayed, but my dad's hellbent on, 'getting my life to a secure point', before anything like this. At least I tried, thank you so much for the help though! xo

[ChaseParker]

Be really real with them tell them how you're feeling, how you feel stiffled. And that you know that there's danger they're not completely wrong but that you need to experience the world and make decisions for your self, so you can learn and grow and be prepared for the world. Tell them that you're not interested in drugs but you want to see more. That kind of approach has worked best for me. Just being really real with my parents

[Ally_x]

Really need to try this, actually. I've always been afraid to try this approach with my parents, but maybe that's where I'm going wrong. Thank you so much! x

[ChaseParker]

Of course, it may not work but it's at least worth a try to see if that works with them! Better than nothing I wish you the best of luck and a happy prom

[Ally_x]

You're definitely right, and thank you (:

[Guanfei]

Tell them that prom are usually very supervised and no one can do anything without really wanting it.
But that probably won't be enough to convince them, as they apparently think you can't go near boys.

[Ally_x]

You're exactly right. Tried it, they came back at me with the drugs argument again.

[Guanfei]

It's just an excuse, they just consider that the only guy you'll get to know is the one you'll marry.

[Ally_x]

That's what they hope for, anyway.

[desiree512]

Well what grade are you in? Sophmore? You can always wait until you're a junior or a senior

[Ally_x]

I live in the UK so it's Year 11, but according to Google, that's Sophomore. My dad doesn't intend on sending me to the second one either, saying that it's something I should only be doing in University.

[desiree512]

What? Where I live a junior is grade 11 and sophomores aren't even allowed to go to prom. U have to be in your junior or senior year. My parents don't let me have a boyfriend either but my mom said prom is fine since it is only a one time thing afterall.

[Ally_x]

The year or grade when you're 15, turning 16? It's right after our first major exams here, GCSE's. The 'proper' prom is at the end of Year 13, after your A Level exams, which Google says is Senior year?

Not really very interested in having a boyfriend at the moment, I think (parents' influence seemed to have rubbed off on me), but still very adamant on going with my girl friends.

[desiree512]

I think they should let u go still. They're being over protective of u

[Ally_x]

Have always been, really. Just wondering if there's any way to get around it for one night of my life x

[desiree512]

Um let me ask u this. Why is the reason they won't let you go anyway?

[Ally_x]

Like I said above, the idea of drugs being there, and boys being there too. If you haven't picked up already, I'm not really allowed to go to the occasional party, either, so I've never really been in an environment like prom yet anyway x

[desiree512]

Okay well I'm sure you're smart enough to say no to drugs and of course boys are going to be their. It's prom. And I'm pretty sure a house party is different from a prom date.

[Ally_x]

Exactly my point of view, but they just don't see it like that. They think it's easier to just not let me be in that sort of position at all, instead of trusting me enough to say no.

[desiree512]

They need to understand that you're their little girl but they CANNOT protect you forever. They are going to eventually have to let you live.

[Ally_x]

Oh, they know that. That 'eventually' just happens to be university.

[desiree512]

For me it's when I'm 18. I just have one more year left and then I can do whatever I want

[Ally_x]

Lucky! Two more years until that, I anticipate it soooo bad x

[desiree512]

It'll be here before u know it

[Ally_x]

Hope so xx

[desiree512]

Thanks for mho!

[Uhhjsshshdh]

Tell them "If you don't let me date, I'll never give you grandchildren"

[Ally_x]

Ahaha, good idea! But they expect me to sort out my love life in university.

[Anonymous]

If you are the one in the profile picture, then you just have to smile and they won't say no.

[Ally_x]

Doesn't exactly work like that, and that's not me x

[Anonymous]

i went to my prom, horrible time. dont' go

[Ally_x]

What made it so horrible?

[Opinion Owner]

my date made my night miserable

[Ally_x]

Then it's personal experience, not the thing itself?

[Opinion Owner]

well of course it is, that's the point, i had a horrible time, why should you go

[Ally_x]

... to enjoy myself? Without a horrible date?

[Opinion Owner]

yeah good luck with that happening. i bet you have a horrible time too. im telling you, DO NOT GO