Should the United States have a defining rite of passage for its teens?

Question

The dominant culture of the United States does not have any one, universal, defining rite of passage for its adolescents....or does it?? Should we have one or is it not necessary?

Answer 1

I think just even trying to define a dominant culture in the US would be difficult. We are a huge melting pot, filled with countless cultures and backgrounds, all with many defining "rituals" of their own.



There seems to be quite a few rites of passage already, though....like "sweet 16" parties, graduation parties, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, and simply making it through the teenage years intact ;)

Answer 2

How do you define a rites of passage, as there are several "defineing rites of passage for its teens" Lets see starting high school, Drivers licence, as much as I detest it Prom and Gradution. These are normal rites of passage and children who have deprived of them feel as though they have lost something. And that is a right of passage. Just because these are often done as groups and not like a party when you turn a specific age does not deminish it as a right of passage. I can tell you as someone whos parents did not let her get her drivers licence when I turned 16 I was definatly deprived of a rite of passage that resulted in a low self image because I was being told I was not "mature enough". dispite having good grades and a job for over a year and I was paying my parents mortgage for them. There are many cultures in the US and each culture has its own rites of passage and not all of them work for each family. My children will not attend prom for religious reasons. But they will be rewarded with something better. It is almost impossible to set one rite of passage for everyone without overstepping cultural and religious barriers.

Answer 3

The US has too many different culteures to have a "set" rite of passage. We would be hard pressed to find a rite of passage that didnt interfere with some type of religion, culture, or value systems of everyone. Basically, the best we can do is the drivers liscense test...And get people wrecked on their 21st

Answer 4

Many organizations have such a rite of passage,maybe it would unify the country better if there was one universal one.Perhaps it could be something tied to a some form of national social service,that would help society in general,and at the same time teach the individuals involved something about being part of the community.

Answer 5

I'm leaning towards Jazzsax's answer, and I think you and he have the start of a great idea here.



I think that an absolutely first rate rite of passage would be taking out your parents. By that I mean *take out* your parents. (It's safe for me to say that since my kids are now in their 20s.) That would sure drive down the cost of retirement homes that I'll be looking at, if I live long enough and manage to hide enough from my Uncle Sam to think of retirement. (Dream on, me.)



But seriously, I think teens should have a rite of passage other than Spring Break without the folks, or going off to college. It doesn't necessarily have to involve sex, drugs or alcohol but ... hell, this is America, so it undoubtedly would involve all of those things, and in mass quantity.



Outward Bound was mine. No sex; no drugs; no alcohol, but very cool.

Answer 6

We should have one. Nothing like killing a wild boar with just a spear, or crossing a desert with only an Aquafina and a granola bar. Something cool ... like, maybe that you have to score a hat trick in a soccer game. Or make clay models of your parents' faces and not get smacked for it. Or go a week without soda!

Truthfully, probably just making it through the teen years in America is right of passage enough!

Answer 7

I wish we had a law like Israel where all citizens have to serve in the armed forces. Maybe then some of today's youth would have more appreciation for this great country we live in and would also have more pride in themselves. there is no shame in wearing the uniform of your country. Many hundreds of thousands have died to protect the rights we have. There is now a movement in this country by radical college professor's to discredit this nation. I say shame on them. Let them try to peddle their garbage in China or the former Soviet Union and see what would happen to them.

Answer 8

That's funny that you brought that up. My mom and I was just thinking the same thing yesterday. We were thinking more along the lines of the boys though, because a girls (rights of passage), is pretty much a debutant ball.

Answer 9

2 years of national service (such as in Singapore) would be a good start. National service need not be military in nature - sanitation, medical, council work are good options too. It makes more sense than earning your right to vote by simply maintaining breathing and circulation for 18 years.

Answer 10

What do you want to do... walk on coals, pierce your face,go on a trek, jump off a tower, be circumcised while tied to a tree, you take your pick, because when kids in other countries went through their rite of passage, they did it/ and to think all we have to do is be good kids, and go to school.

Answer 11

yah and its called graduating highschool, and geting a drivers liscense, or the ability to stay out past curfew, or purchase ciggaretts and alcohol. But perhapse you mean something for younger kids turning 13?

Answer 12

It is not necessary -- anywhere at any time, least of all being connected to a particular country! (What an horrible thought! Yuk!)

Answer 13

at 18 years age, we get to join a bunch of guys and they shave all your hair off and teach you how to kill and bark like a dog and send you to Iraq and kill people. Thats a pretty heavy ritual.

Answer 14

if you are refering to becoming an adult . when you get your own place and pay your own bills ,,and you find yourself complaining about hosehold bills and chores...then you are an adult...welcome to the real world....and for those who live with there parents enjoy it while you can....have your fun, get a job and a car and materials, cuz when you move out the bills are gonna take most of your money....peace...

Answer 15

18 to vote and 21 to drink.

Answer 16

Yes.



A man can be drafted at 18 but he can't drink. A woman can't be drafted, but she can get a tatoo.

We should have something coherent.

Answer 17

I thought you had to be involved in an invasion of a foreign country.

Answer 18

No, I don't think we could have one because there are so many different cultures here.

Answer 19

It's best left up to individual families or faiths.

Answer 20

I think it got pretty clear on American Pie.... it seems like in the US, virginity is a desease

Answer 21

What Jessiemarius said.

Answer 22

yes they should...because some of these teens really need guidance..this is coming from a teen I know people who really needs help

Answer 23

No need for it! We have one, it's when you turn 18 and are now a legal adult.

Answer 24

We do it's call High School.

Answer 25

yes.... a geography test and maybe a basic math test...just not a spelling test we would all fail

Answer 26

No, my daughter starting to have periods is enough.

Answer 27

I thought getting stupid drunk on your 21st birthday was one.

Answer 28

sufre mamon

Answer 29

I think we should have one

Answer 30

they do itscalled "spring break" in Daytona Beach....

Answer 31

Yeah, it should be graduation.

Answer 32

No

Answer 33

i dont know

Answer 34

not sure

Answer 35

i do not know.

Answer 36

yes i think they should!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!