Coming of age

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For other uses, see Coming of Age (disambiguation).

Coming of age is a young person's transition from adolescence to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition. It can be a simple legal convention or can be part of a ritualistic cycle, similar to those once practiced by many societies. In the past, and in some societies today, such a change is associated with the age of sexual maturity (mid-adolescence); in others, it is associated with an age of religious responsibility. Particularly in western societies, modern legal conventions which stipulate points in late adolescence or early adulthood (most commonly 18 and 21, at which time adolescents are generally no longer considered minors and are granted the full rights of an adult) are the focus of the transition. In either case, many cultures retain ceremonies to confirm the coming of age, and significant benefits come with the change. (See also rite of passage.)

The term coming of age is also used in reference to different media such as stories, songs, movies, etc. that have a young character or characters who, by the end of the story, have developed in some way, through the undertaking of responsibility, or by learning a lesson.

Contents

[edit] Religious coming of age

[edit] Baha'i Faith

In Baha'i Faith 15 is considered the age of maturity and laws such as fasting and prayer becomes applicable.

[edit] Christianity

[edit] Confirmation

In some Christian traditions, generally Catholic and Anglican, the sacrament of Confirmation is the ritual by which a young person becomes an official member of the Church. This sometimes includes the bestowal of a 'Confirmation name,' generally the name of a saint, which is often worn as a second middle name. Confirmation also bestows the Holy Spirit upon the confirmand, and in some churches is received concurrent with baptism or first communion.

[edit] Age of accountability

This is the age at which a child is old enough to understand the moral consequences of his or her actions and can be held accountable for sins. It is also called the 'age of reason.' Though it does not correspond to a particular age for every person, due to differences in personal and psychological maturation, it is sometimes set down arbitrarily as 12 or, in the Roman Catholic Church, 7; the latter convention gave rise to the English common-law presumption that no child under the age of seven could possess the mens rea necessary for commission of a felony. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the age of accountability is 8. The concept of the age of accountability is not based upon any direct teaching from the Bible, but stems from individual church traditions. A child who has passed the age of accountability is said to know the difference between right and wrong and to be capable of obeying the moral laws of God. Some Christian traditions believe that the age of accountability is the end of a period of early grace (prevenient grace, in Wesleyan traditions) which covers over the sins of those not capable of knowing the moral consequences of their actions. (Persons who, due to developmental disability, mental or emotional development, will never reach a sufficient level of abstract reason, are covered by this grace for life and are sometimes known as 'the innocents.') In Christian traditions which practice Believer's Baptism (baptism by voluntary decision, as opposed to baptism in early infancy), the ritual can be carried out after the age of accountability has arrived. Some traditions withhold the rite of Holy Communion from those not yet at the age of accountability, on the grounds that children do not understand what the sacrament means. Full membership in the Church, if not bestowed at birth, often must wait until the age of accountability and frequently is granted only after a period of preparation known as catechesis.

[edit] Hermeticism (Greek Paganism)

Main article: Pederasty in ancient Greece

In certain states in Ancient Greece, such as Sparta and Crete, adolescent boys were expected to enter into a mentoring relationship with an adult man, in which they would be taught skills pertaining to adult life, such as hunting, martial arts, fine arts and philosophy. These mentorships were of a pederastic nature, in some cases chaste and in others sexually expressed.

[edit] Hinduism

In Hinduism coming of age generally signifies that a boy or girl is mature enough to understand his responsibility towards family and society. Hinduism also has the sacred thread ceremony for Brahmin boys that marks their coming of age to do religious ceremonies. Women often celebrate their coming to age by having a ceremony. This ceremony includes dressing them with sari, and announcing their maturity to the community.

Tamilians perform a lavish occasion called Manjal Neerattu Vizha, to celebrate their daughter attaining adulthood. They invite their relatives and neighbours for the proceedings and formally announce it. The purpose of the ceremony is to provide awareness to the daughter about the changes that will proceed, and also to make them clear about Do s and Don't s, they should follow. The girls will be made to wear the traditional dress saree, and they are showered with turmeric water, during the ocacasion.

[edit] Judaism

In Jewish law and tradition, a boy who turns thirteen is known as a Bar mitzvah ("one to whom the commandments apply"), and is from that point obligated to fulfill Jewish commandments. This new status is often marked by a religious service at which the boy performs a liturgical act, such as chanting a haftarah, that is ordinarily reserved for those who have reached the age of Bar Mitzvah. This service is not, formally speaking, a "coming of age" ceremony, since it only marks a status that is acquired automatically. In the popular imagination, however, it is often thought of as a coming of age ritual.

Similarly, a girl who reaches the age of twelve is known as a "Bat Mitzvah." The general practice among Conservative and Reform Jews is to mark this event with a religious service essentially the same as that held for boys. Reflecting the egalitarianism inherent in Reconstructionism, Reconstructionist Jewish girls (and many Reform Jewish girls) have bat mizvahs at thirteen; the religious service is exactly the same as that required of boys. Many Modern Orthodox Jews also hold Bat Mitzvah services, modified to conform to their interpretation of the limits imposed by Jewish law.

The Bar or Bat Mitzvah service is often followed by a party, though this doesn't have to be the case. However, in modern culture, the milestone is often marked with a celebration after the ceremony.

[edit] Non-religious coming of age traditions

Main article: Secular coming of age ceremony

In some countries Humanist or Freethinker organisations have arranged courses or camps for non-religious adolescents, in which they can study or work on ethical, social and personal topics important for adult life, followed by a formal rite of passage comparable to the Christian Confirmation. Some of these ceremonies are even called "civil confirmations". The purpose of these ceremonies is to offer a festive ritual for those youngsters, who do not believe in any religion, but nevertheless want to mark their transition from childhood to adulthood.

[edit] Cultural rituals exclusive to nations

[edit] Australia, New Zealand & United Kingdom

The coming of age in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom is celebrated either at 18, which is the legal age of majority (age of majority is 20 in New Zealand), or at 21, the traditional age. Eighteenth birthday parties are becoming increasingly common. The legal age to drink is 18, Celebrations typically take the form of a particularly extravagant birthday party; presents given are often higher than usual value, and champagne may be served, as at other formal celebrations. If the celebrant is a male he may be forced to consume a yard glass which is typically full of beer. But apart from this little to no set ceremony or ritual is observed. However there is a growing trend towards Adolescence Ceremonies that celebrate the coming of age with a display of transitional objects such as teddy bears that are officially packed away after the ceremony. During the ceremony an explanation of rights and obligations may be explained to the new adult to assist a smoother transition into adulthood for themselves and their family.

[edit] Part of the Americas

In some coutries off the Americas there is a tradition very similar to that of the Bat mitzvah in the Jewish faith. For a young woman, Quinceañera, Los Quince or La Fiesta de Quince (Fifteenth Birthday or The Party of the Fifteenth Birthday) is a rite of passage signifying that she has reached the age of adulthood. The event is marked by a large celebration and a candle lighting ceremony, which acts as a more spiritual mark to her achievement. This tradition is based on societal views of youth and faith.

[edit] Spain

In Spain during the 19th century, there was a civilian coming of age bound to the compulsory military service. The quintos were the boys of the village that reached the age of eligibility for military service (18 years), thus forming the quinta of a year. In rural Spain, the mili was the first and sometimes the only experience of life away from family. In the days before their departure, the quintos knocked every door to ask for food and drink. They held a common festive meal with what they gathered and sometimes painted some graffiti reading "Vivan los quintos del año" as a memorial of their leaving their youth. Years later, the quintos of the same year could still hold yearly meals to remember times past. By the end of the 20th century, the rural exodus, the diffusion of city customs and the loss of prestige of military service changed the relevance of quintos parties. In some places, the party included the village girls of the same age, thus becoming less directly relevant to military service. In others, the tradition was simply lost.

[edit] China

Historically, the Chinese coming of age ceremony has been the Guan Li for men and the Ji Li for women. The age is usually 1 and during the ceremony, the person obtains a style name. These ceremonies are now rarely practiced in China, but there has been a recent resurgence, especially from those who are sympatheic to the Hanfu movement.

[edit] Japan

Main article: Seijin shiki

Since 1948, the age of majority in Japan has been 20; persons under 20 are not permitted to smoke, drink, or vote. Coming-of-age ceremonies, known as seijin shiki, are held on the second Monday of January. At the ceremony, all of the men and women participating are brought to a government building and listen to many speakers, similar to a graduation ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the government gives the new adults money.

In the past, coming-of-age ceremonies were largely reserved for noble and samurai families. A ceremony called genpuku was celebrated for men of such ranks at an age varying from 12 to 16. The equivalent for women was called mogi (裳着?), and was celebrated for girls between the ages of 12 and 14.

[edit] Papua New Guinea

Kovave is a ceremony to initiate Papua New Guinea boys into adult society. It involves dressing up in a conical hat which has long strands of leaves hanging from the edge, down to below the waist. The effect is both humorous and frightening. The name Kovave is also used to describe the head-dress.

[edit] Samoa

In 1928, Margaret Mead published a book called Coming of Age in Samoa. It not only launched her career as an anthropologist but remains a classic in its field.

[edit] United States

In the United States the coming of age is celebrated either at 18, the age of majority, or at 21, the legal drinking age. Many American girls and some boys celebrate their 16th birthdays by means of a sweet sixteen, which is considered an important milestone, as this is the age at which one may obtain a driver's license in many states.

[edit] Vietnam

In feudal period, the coming of age was cerebrated at 15 for noble men. Nowaday, the age is 18 for girls and 20 for boys.

[edit] Pygmies

In the rite of initiation of Baka Pygmies, the Spirit of the Forest ritually kills the boys to propitiate their rebirth as men. The Italian anthropologist Mauro Campagnoli took part in this secret rite of men's initiation in order to better understand its meaning. He became a member of a baka patrilinear clan and completed his trans-cultural coming of age.

[edit] Korea

In Korea, the Monday of the third week of May is "coming-of-age day"..

[edit] Professional initiatory rituals

[edit] Academic Initiations

[edit] Medical school

White coat ceremony

[edit] English public school

[edit] University

In many universities of Europe and India, first year students are made to undergo tests or humiliation before being accepted as students. Perhaps the oldest of these is "Raisin Monday" at the University of St Andrews. It is still practiced. A senior student would take a new student, a "bejant" or "bejantine" under his wing and show them round the university. In gratitude, the bejant would give the senior student a pound of raisins. In turn this led to bejants being given receipts in Latin. If a bejant failed to produce the receipt, he could be thrown into a fountain. The word bejant derives from "bec jaune" (a yellow beak, or fledgling).

[edit] Fraternities and sororities

Fraternities and sororities use various means of rituals or initiation on their pledges before allowing them admission.

[edit] Printing industry

Among apprentices, the step from apprentice to journeyman was often marked by some ceremonial humiliation. Among printers this lasted until the twentieth century. The unfortunate young man would be "banged out" by being covered in offal.

[edit] Japanese Corporate Entrance Ceremony

In large Japanese corporations, all employees who enter the company from college or high school in the same year attend an entrance ceremony. Attendees are required to show up early, sit in assigned seats, and wear company-approved clothing with an approved haircut. A member of the group is chosen to give a speech, and everyone sings the company song.

[edit] Films

Further information: Category:Coming-of-age films

[edit] Webcomics

Further information: Category:Coming-of-age webcomics

[edit] See also

[edit] External links