Reflection #5—Rites of Passage

Reflection #5—Rites of Passage
Initiations and rites of passage are used in every culture. When a child graduates from one grade to another they are completing one aspect of their rite of passage. Teaching a child what he or she need in order to grow is vital to their success in that culture. All children want to be accepted within their cultures; they do so by succeeding in their cultures rituals. By learning the rules and social norms of that culture a child is signifying that they are ready to go through the initiation of adulthood. Marking a child as completing a specific ritual changes there social status. There may or may not be a ceremony announcing the completion of this rite of passage. In the United States if a child does not have a diploma by a certain age they are seen as less than. They have failed there rite of passage. They are now of age without any of the tools they need to succeed in life. An adult who has not complete the rites of passage of their culture are seen as less than worthy. They are often outcast of their own making due to their feeling of inadequacies. This may even hinder someone from finding a mate. In the eyes of society if they cannot complete their rite of passage then they are not ready for a mate. How can they care for another person and begin to raise children if they themselves are still stuck as an “adolescent”. Every child that grows must go through some type of rite of passage this is done consciously and unconsciously. These rites of passage not only identify moving to the next stage for society but for the child. It signifies their readiness to take on new challenges, along with giving them the esteem to grow into happy, healthy members of society.