Is Homecoming worth the heartache? [Editorial]
Junior Josh Winton used 2300 sticky notes to ask junior Rene Morrow to Homecoming.
The pressure is on for guys at CHS. With the Homecoming dance coming up fast, there’s only so much time left to ask the perfect person, in the perfect way. Almost anyone who’s been around school the past week has seen large banners, or other extravagant means of proposal. Even though there’s the chance of getting to dance with your choice of a girl, boys are put under a lot of stress when it comes to asking a girl to Homecoming.
What guys seem to be most concerned about is rejection. It’s hard to face the idea that the person you want wouldn’t want you the same way. Being rejected could definitely hurt the heart, and the ego.
“I think I would vomit if I asked a girl, and she said no to me,” says Brian Brown.
As many guys are turning to fancier and more public ways of asking someone to the dance, being turned down could hit even harder.
Another big worry boys seem to face is gathering the courage in the first place. Getting up the nerve to ask someone out to the dance, especially in the face of rejection, or even being outright laughed at must be hard.
“Every time I want to go up to my friend and ask him to homecoming, I get butterflies in my stomach,” admitted CHS student Gannon Donnelly.
The way of asking, in itself, has become a bigger deal than it should be. There’s worry in finding the right way to ask, if a large public invitation, or just pulling them to the side quietly is the right way to go. Some girls even end up expecting a larger or grander proposal. The social stigma around guys asking girls, and not the other way around, puts the majority of the pressure on the guys.
Too much worry and toil is put on guys around the time of big social events like Homecoming. They have to worry about who to ask and how to ask, and how to deal with if they say no. The social norms around guys being the ones to ask ends up causing a lot of stress for everyone. Getting the courage to ask, and dealing with the possibility of rejection can all weigh on someone. But in the end, the stress might be worth it if the answer is yes.
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SarahBeth Davis is a sophomore, and is new to CHS due to the War College. She mainly writes in Perspectives.
This is Clara Cozort's third year on staff for Periscope! Clara has taken on the roll of being Art Director and Co-Director of social media. While she...
Alec Di Ruzza • Jan 24, 2014 at 11:26 am
I definitely agree that there has been a rise in expectations on boy’s during homecoming season. I feel that in today’s soceity, women have come to expect these romantic gestures from boys, adding to the already immense pressure of asking a girl in the first place. I feel that, while asking a girl in a cute way is a great way to show your affection, the kind gesture should not be required or even expected from girls. The expectations to asking a girl has become a double standard in today’s society, especially since girls expect so much and guys never have the chance to get the same gesture in return.
Hailey Shughart • Nov 4, 2013 at 8:11 pm
Although this article does make a good point, I believe that a guy does not need to ask a girl in an extravagant way to Homecoming. If they are already dating, it is almost always just assumed that they are going together. Although the extravagant ways can be cute, it’s not worth the stress it puts on the guy. Also, I believe that they guy doesn’t always have to be the one to ask. A girl can ask a guy to Homecoming if she wants to.
Alexis Jefferson • Oct 27, 2013 at 8:22 pm
I think this was a great topic to focus on during the week of homecoming. Its refreshing to talk about the pressures that guys have instead of the pressures that girls have all of the time. The story itself is a god one, but it take the focus of pressure on guys asking girls but there is a quote about asking a guy. There are a couple other little typos and it seems repetitive at times, but over all it was a good story and perfect timing for the topic.
Jennifer Schaeffer • Oct 24, 2013 at 10:58 am
I think that this subject is extremely touchy! I know that it must be so difficult for everyone who has to ask someone to homecoming. On the other hand for the ones being asked it is very stressful as well. The person being asked might think that they’re going to get asked but in reality they might never actually get asked. Either way it is a very stressful situation and I believe that no matter what the outcome everyone should go to homecoming or any dance and have one of the best nights of their high school careers!
Amanda Corrao • Oct 17, 2013 at 11:11 pm
I personally am glad to be a female for these kinds of reasons. Guys have it so hard & most girls dont ask because girls dont propose, usually. Its just a girl thing. But i think either way if the answer is yes or no, it’s still cute that the guy tried. & Plus, the guy can tell his son when hes older that rejections hard but it blows over. Nobody can always get their way, but whos gonna be ashamed if the guy doesnt try. ? Maybe both of them. I just think this written piece is very important. Because its so true. The pressures on, but its almost like presenting infront of the class .. once youre done & you sit down, you feel so much better. Even if you get an C, it’s over with. You did it.