While in the midst of high school experiences, growing into a certain age nowadays is becoming unbelievably expensive. At age 15, especially in Hispanic culture, families throw parties for their daughers that have “come of age”; known as Quinceaneras. “Sweet Sixteen” Birthdays—more of an “Americanized” celebration—is another age that seems to cost the parents quite a dime.

So, if the economy continues to plunge, how do families who have thrown their daughters and sons “special” birthday parties feel about all that money? Traditional parties with close family and friends are not enough anymore. And ages such as 15 and 16 do not seem like such important ages if dependency on parents is still an aspect. They are traditional values that are not only becoming expensive but also unnecessary.

The average cost for Quinces or a Sweet Sixteen are about 10,000-20,000 dollars. For that amount of money, trips to Europe or even an affordable car seem to be the better pick.

What about education! People complain about no money for college, yet they can spend this amount for a birthday party.

Christina Placencia, 12th, said, “I thought my quince was worth it because I got a lot of irreplaceable memories.”

Tracy Arriaga, 12th, said, “My sweet sixteen cost about 10,000 dollars, and I felt it was a waste of money. It was not worth it because that same year we bought a house. Now the state of the economy is bad, I felt we wasted all that money for nothing.”

Aside from the status of the economy, money for a birthday party can almost be defined as egotistical. MTV’s show called, “Sweet Sixteen” represents the exaggeration of money gone to the dump. Spoiled, self-centered teens stomp around like Godzilla for their birthday parties. They demand, they scream, they cry. Parents spend a fortune for ungrateful children, and to put the cherry on top of the ice cream, they even get a car at the end of their party.

Birthday parties should be a demonstration of a family and friends love for the existence of the person. It should not be a person begging for someone else’s love and attention. Spending 10,000-20,000 dollars on a birthday party is not only ridiculous, but also insensitive to one’s true needs. Education and self-reliance should be aspects valued above the traditional status quo; they should be the reasons why thousands of dollars are being spent.