re: Why the poor stay poor, Prom Episode

I would say prom is THE major event for a lot of people who aren't going to college. And I bet a lot not going to college are coming from that lower income range. To them, there aren't any of those college memories (spring break, bar nights, football games, formals, etc.). Those memories come from high school for them, and prom is the "big party" at the end. They see it as more special. Doesn't make it right to waste more money, but I assume that's the logic.