What's A Prom Without An Orgy Of Spending?

For all the economic troubles of recent years, America remains sufficiently prosperous that teenagers’ spending on high school proms exceeds the GNP of a fair-sized country. A poll of high schoolers age 15-18, conducted for The Macerich Co. by August Partners, finds 37 percent planning to go to their prom this year—40 percent of the girls, 33 percent of the boys. (We hope this gender gap won’t lead to tears on the big night.) Those planning to attend expect to spend an average of $379 apiece on prom-related expenses.