Rites of Pasage

Rites of Passage

Ivana Brendon

BSHS 34455

January 22, 2011

Dr. Alexa Jenkin

Rites of Passage

Life can be perceived as divided in three stages: separation, transition, and re-incorporation. For instance, we are born as dependents beings and remain as such until the first stage emerges: the need to separate from parents. At that point we transition into the second phase, where different trials and challenges shape a unique personality. Lastly, once such personality is defined and competent the reincorporation phase begins and continues indefinitely. Life is a diverse set of circumstances: social demands, peer relationships, biological changes, and heredity always shape one’s character into adulthood.

Social Demands

Society’s influence over juveniles has increased over the years. Six decades ago, boys could finish their high school and aspire to enter the Army or Navy and their transition to adulthood would be fairly stress-free. Girls, on the other hand could also finish their high school get married and procreate. Once again their conversion from childhood to adulthood would also be relatively easy. Most of their behaviors were set with no other way to go. As society evolved, new demands emerged, new behaviors were set. The Industrial Revolution and Feminist Movement opened the door to new opportunities. Women were, at the present time expected to work and men faced new challenges in a changing market. As a result, new venues appeared for both male and female adolescents. Thus youngsters pursued other passages. “Rites of passage include the intentional design of opportunities for children to experience wonder and awe” (Blumenkrantz & Hong, 2008). As a result of these movements, male and female adolescents faced new challenges that continue to prevail today, such as becoming licensed to drive, the need to thrive within society, the need to become independent as soon as the majority of age permits.

The years marked by male’s biological changes and...