Spoiled kids, stupid parents

My child deserves the best. I hate when parents say that. Better: "my child deserves what he or she earns."

But that's my utopia, and it doesn't mesh with reality. Proms have devolved into a major business; according to Conde Nast Bridal Media, more than $6.6 billion annually is spent on proms, up from $4 billion just two years ago.

Call it the "My Super Sweet 16" syndrome. Kids -- not all, of course -- think they are entitled to a night (or nights) of materialistic decadence.

On Long Island, for example, a group of 45 revelers is renting a Hamptons estate for a night and a day. For $18,000.

I'm sure they're well-deserving.