Sweet 16 parties BEFORE MTV's Sweet Sixteen show?

Question

When I was in high school in the late 90's, 16 was no different from any other birthday except for getting a driver's license. 18 and 21 were much more important birthdays. Some people of Hispanic heritage had quinceaneras at age 15, and I knew a Filipina who had a similar party at age 18. But a 16th birthday party wasn't anything really extraordinary.

Now, I see a lot of questions here asking about Sweet Sixteen parties, with themes, grand entrances, catering, hired dancers, etc. Is this all just copying MTV, or was there always this kind of birthday party and my hometown was an anomaly?

It's not just the show, which is bad in itself. There are average girls here who are planning parties not much differently from planning a wedding!

Answer 1

Where I went to school (small town in Texas in the mid-to-late '90's) a "sweet sixteen" party was not unheard of, but they certainly weren't common. They were also mainly just your regular party, like a pool party or just an illegal-alcohol and loud music party. There were no caterers, ballgowns, "entrances" and....... there are really "hired dancers" for birthday parties? Why would someone want hired dancers?????

Sorry, sidetracked...

Anyway, no, I've never heard of that, and yes, they are probably copying the MTV show (which SHOULD be called Unreasonably Older Spoiled Brats R Us).

Answer 2

Back in the dark ages before MTV or even cable (mid 60s) in the smallish Wisconsin city I lived in a "sweet sixteen" was usually an all girl party. A favorite was having 4 or 5 close friends for overnight - pizza, potato chips and dip and a special cake. Everyone brought their favorite records (in those days mostly 45s) and we tried to stay up all night. After a good breakfast the next day we all would go home and (hopefully) SLEEP!

Answer 3

I remember watching inside edition about a rich father spend like a million for his twin's sweet sixteen. I would just take the money instead of the party, no matter how great the party will be.

When I turned sixteen, my parents gave me five hundred dollars of stocks. I made some money out of it. (I think that was the best present ever, it actually grows!)

Answer 4

This is too funny I was wondering almost the same thing last night. The people on those shows have no idea of what the real world is....you have to work hard for the stuff get it's not all about "GIVE ME!!" In a way I feel sorry for all the kids who's parents are giving them everything they want what happens when the money train derails...

Answer 5

It's all for show. My personal opinion is that no one is getting married anymore (everyone has babbydaddy or babymomma); so parents are spending the nuptial money on the Sweet 16.

Answer 6

best party you could have would be at home, with family and friends.....Why spend 200 thousand dollars on just someone getting older, i could buy a house for that, or i could buy a house for them for that matter, because that is about how much they spend on average for the party.....WTF
If i had that much money just to blow, i would get something that would mean alot more, rather than party decorations...

Answer 7

you get your license at sixteen. and your no longer meant to force with friends yet you may purely get a value tag for it in the experience that your pulled over for some thing else. its no longer that huge of a deal. i force with my friends that jusssttt have been given their license and im no longer a action picture star. and none of my friends have ever have been given in hassle for it. your needless to say reallllllyyyyy old. or reallly stupid.

Answer 8

Kids are just trying to keep up with the MTV show...Spoiled brats! LOL! What a waste of money! I can't believe the money that gets spent on those stupid parties! Did you see the show where the ad flew himself and his duaghter to Paris to pick out a party dres!?!?! WTF!