Debutante Balls: A Family Affair

After watching the documentary "Invitation Only", I was reminded of my recent journey to Mobile, Alabama for my first debutante ball. A dear friend of mine was a "deb" (debutante...obviously) herself, just as her sister was 4 years earlier. I had known about the great day almost a year in advance, and was told to clear my schedule.
The amount of work that had to be put into this affair was amazing: finding the perfect dress (which my friend didn't, so she simply had one made to her specifications of perfect), choosing a crown, developing a guest list, having invitations made, hair done, manicure and pedicure (even though she was wearing closed toe shoes, but that is simply besides the point)... and the list goes on. The weirdest part is how I understood all of it, and never passed any sort of judgment, unlike many of my "yankee northern" friends who thought that this event was preposterous.
Many of my friends did not understand what the point of this ball was. I tried to explain that it was a tradition and a good excuse for a party. After returning from the ball I had a new perspective on why the ball takes place. I think what goes unnoticed at these debutante balls is the emphasis on family. Much of the actual ceremony at the deb ball involves the father and daughter. And not in a "he's auctioning her off to society" kind of way, but it was truly endearing. There were several father/daughter dances, which was the very traditional part of the ceremony, however, after those dance numbers, it was a time for my friend to celebrate with family.
In the video, Rebecca Snedeker interviews many people who believe Deb balls are a family tradition, and I have to say after attending one, that is how I see it too. I understand that exclusivity of the event is controversial, however I see it simply as a tradition.
More so, it is not always just about power and money. The women who are chosen to be a part of the deb ball my friend participated in were chosen as women who "...showed good character, and were outstanding citizens in their community, participating in local community service..." And the money that is raised goes to a different organization each year.
I think from the video deb balls are not given all the credit they deserve, because they are not all like that: about money and exclusivity. I think it is important to know that there are more to deb balls than glittery tiarras, white long gloves, and grandmother's pearls.