Rite of Passage

Throughout time there has been ways that an individual moves from stage of life to another. This movement is considered a rite of passage. In many cultures this rite of passage is necessary and socially accepted. Also rite of passage can differ from culture to culture, but can be seen by all as a move from one phase to another. Rite of passage is to assist an individual to accept the role that individual will assume in society.
Just like everything there are phases that an individual goes through from birth to death and each phase is a teaching moment. In our modern day society this rite of passage would be perhaps a child being born. Then another phase would be that child graduating from schooling. Then moving on to commitment and finally making a commitment. Usually at each phases a ceremony of some type is held to commemorate the event. These ceremonies depict a changing in a person’s life that are in connection with religion or culturally accepted views and values.
In other countries this rite of passage is a painful and severe reminder that life brings pain. So in other societies the rite of passage may include male and female circumcision or perhaps the beating of one’s sexual organs; all of this occurring around the onset of puberty. Each society may chose how the rite of passage would be conducted. Society on the other hand is signaling to that individual this is your opportunity to show that you are maturing in this society from a child to now adulthood.
With the rite of passage a form of identity for the individual is created. A form of recognition to note growth is another way to look at the rite of passage. Regardless of what society or culture an individual wants to be recognized during phases of life. Not only does that individual wants to be recognize but society wants to take part as well. Therefore this is the reason why the rite of passage is noted. Not only by society but by members of that individual’s family is included in the rite of passage. This rite of passage is similar to a coming together, recognition and response for everyone involved. It will teach an individual how to become an adult in that society according to that society's roles. It will also teach and hopefully equip an individual with all that is needed according to what was learned.