Defining rites of passage

[jay]

Given a debate in the hallways at work today with hopeforyou, over someone's celebration this evening ... I just don't see how celebrating the onset of an icky, unpleasant bodily function that causes half the population to be cranky and require chocolate and paper products one out of every four weeks is a rite of passage, other than as an affliction. Might as well design a ritual to celebrate, say, acne as the door to adolescence.

In this culture, IMO the things which most clearly delineate children from adults are gaining independent mobility and finances. So I think that a first paid outside job and gaining a driver's license are the true rites of passage in the US, both usually happening around age 15-16.

Comments

[coyote3502.livejournal.com]

Ah, but are there not "women's" and "men's" organizations within the Church? I don't see a problem, frankly. We all have our functions within our community. The challenge is finding that function and not pining for that which we aren't. Many parts, one body.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

In some churches, yes... in some faiths, men and women even have to sit gender-segregated. Personally, I boycott gender-limited organizations and events as a rule, rebuffing several attempts by my local pastor to get me to join their men's organization (or at least visit).