Interview. Activities, competition, budget... How have bachelor parties evolved?

Why have bachelor parties grown so much ?

"We are seeing their revitalization at the end of the 20th ^century for men and their emergence for women. These festivities then became widespread at the beginning of the ^21st century, which is quite surprising because these events have lost their original meaning in relation to marriage. In the past, a stag party was the excuse for one last "big binge" before settling down and living with one's wife. Today, couples are generally already cohabiting before getting married, or even already parents. Hen and stag parties are more like wedding preparation parties, an additional opportunity to celebrate."

Why have the activities practiced during stag and hen parties remained so gendered?

"The majority of bachelor parties remain single-sex . Men go for sports, play paintball, go karting, or bungee jump off a cliff. Women do activities related to aesthetics, cooking, and decorating. Which is surprising in the ^21st century, when we are precisely questioning the gender binary! This is primarily explained by commercial reasons: it is more interesting for the market to offer several types of services in order to attract different audiences. Furthermore, some people who get married are very attached to the male and female roles within the couple."

Are these events an opportunity to mark one's belonging to a social class?

"It's not always conscious, but it's certain that bachelorette and stag parties are an illustration of social differences. Because the activities practiced are very distinct depending on income and lifestyle. For example, activities related to sexuality (like evenings at strip clubs) are not necessarily shared by all backgrounds. And a weekend in a riad in Marrakech will remain the preserve of future brides and grooms from wealthy backgrounds."

Is the participants' enthusiasm linked to their desire to prove their friendship?

"There's a lot of emotional stakes involved in bachelor parties. You first have to be selected to participate and therefore be recognized as one of the closest people. In return, you have to demonstrate your interest in the event, the time you're devoting to it, and the money you're investing. Organizers are also under pressure regarding the relevance of their choice of activities and their originality. And when you've already participated in several quality bachelorette or stag parties, you can't be less demanding. The competition is real!"

Do future brides and grooms see a successful stag or hen party as the foundation for a successful marriage?

"Yes, they see it as a good omen for the wedding day. And as a kind of rehearsal to ensure there will be a good atmosphere on the big day, since it's an opportunity to mix childhood friends with newer friends who don't necessarily know each other."