Debutante.is that still a thing? (Atlanta, White: 2013, condo, schools)

[aslowdodge]

I moved from California and I always had this notion that debutantes were a thing in the south and east coast.
Doing research here there doesn't seem to be that much about it here in Georgia. Is this something that has faded away?

[AnsleyPark]

It's still around, oddly.

[waronxmas]

It still happens, but typically only among the upper middle class and wealthy.

One thing I'll correct you on is that it's not just a Southern thing. Cotillion is popular among the moneyed classes all up and down the East Coast. In fact, the most prestigious ball is held in New York at the Waldorf-Astoria.

It is a hold over from Colonial era culture, and the practice itself came from the royal courts of Europe.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

It still happens, but typically only among the upper middle class and wealthy.

One thing I'll correct you on is that it's not just a Southern thing. Cotillion is popular among the moneyed classes all up and down the East Coast. In fact, the most prestigious ball is held in New York at the Waldorf-Astoria.

It is a hold over from Colonial era culture, and the practice itself came from the royal courts of Europe.

The original idea was to introduce girls to potential suitors of their social class. Clearly that is no longer the case; when my half-sister and her fellow debs were 'presented' in 1984, one of the girls had already been knocked up by her boyfriend.

White roses, indeed.

Atlanta still has a Debutante Society (The Phoenix Society), but these days it positions itself as a philanthropic service organization rather than a gaggle of blushing virgins.

http://www.reporternewspapers.net/20...eir-community/

[AtlJan]

I made my debut back in the 1990s in the ATL. It's just an excuse to have parties all summer and meet people you already kinda know. There are two main ones that I know of, The Atlanta Debutante Club and The Phoenix Society. The former was always the more exclusive but I doubt either one is turning people away these days. The parties are girls ask the guys and there was this lady who kept a file of guys you could cold-call. Each one had an index card w/ basic info and a picture. We would go to the lady's condo and dish on the guys and call them--this was before Facebook and cell phones, of course.

[aslowdodge]

So I guess for the most part it sounds like something that has died off. I thought maybe that some country clubs might still do something or maybe a different more up to date version of it.

[CMMom]

Cotillion is still alive and well, but that's different than being a debutante. Cotillion is generally for pre-teens to teach table manners, basic ballroom dancing, proper introductions, thank-you notes, RSVPs, etc... Those typically are done at schools or country clubs. I was a deb back in the late 80s at my mother's insistence and my experience was just like ATLJan described above (pretty sure we did the same Society, just in different years).

[aslowdodge]

I like this cotillion idea. Those are things that everyone, not just girls should learn. Those are excellent life skills to learn. Is there an equivalent for young boys to learn also?

[CMMom]

Boys attend too.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by CMMom

Boys attend too.

Boys should be REQUIRED to attend!!!