collective rites of passage
Posted by d on 2004-08-4 12:33:45, WednesdayIn reply to Rites of passage posted by chimpo on 2004-08-4 07:38:07, Wednesday
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While individual, relatively private rites of passage like bike-riding and getting a driver's license are important, America could use more "collective" or public rites of passage in childhood and adolescents. Sure, we have a few "universal" rites of passage, including the first day elementary school, first day of high school, first day of college, and the graduations from each, but not much else. Some religious groups have Bar Mitzvah's, first communions, babtisms, and other public celebrations, but not everyone goes through these. I heard about some culture in the far east (I think) where at a certain time of the year, all 13 (?) year old boys are sent on a "quest" (more like a scavenger hunt) to get things from the adults in the town. If they pass, they are "men" (well, not boys anymore) and are expected to act like it. The test is rigged so everyone passes. The commentator said it's amazing how quiet the village gets the day after this event - all the sudden the population of "boys" drops by a sizable number. |
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