EDF 1005 Reflection Paper #5

Jackie Lawrence
EDF 1005
Reflection Paper #5

According to the New World Encyclopedia, last modified on April 2nd, 2008, a rite of passage is “a ritual that marks a change in a person’s social or sexual status, often including ceremonies that surround events such as childbirth, puberty, coming of age, marriages, or death.” Each rite of passage a person endures is a learning experience, preparing them for their new phase of life. These initiations are celebrated throughout the world, even though different cultures may have extremely unique rituals. In the article “Sitting Quietly Reveals Crocodile’s Tricks,” Kona and Zena became proper Poro society men with adult wisdom through their training at the Bush school. The young Sambian boys in New Guinea are introduced into adulthood through sexual acts with the older, more experienced men. And in many cultures around the world, female circumcision is practiced to initiate young girls into becoming young women. Jewish children have festive parties when they turn thirteen, called bar mitzvahs or bat mitzvahs. Similarly, Spanish girls, once fifteen, have Quinceaneras, and many young girls in America celebrate adolescence with Sweet Sixteen parties.
All these various cultural traditions parallel education, as they celebrate children maturing into adulthood. My childhood was filled with initiations as well. Growing up, the first day of school was always a big deal. Every summer, my mom would take my brother and me shopping for new clothes and school supplies. In elementary school, she would walk us down to the bus-stop and take plenty of pictures. Throughout the school year, my brother and I anticipated praise, and maybe even a present, if we received good progress reports and grades. The end of the year parties in the classroom were the best as we all looked forward to a well-deserved summertime break. Later on, my first school dance was nerve wracking, but exciting. Then came the All-State Band initiation, my first job, Proms, and High School graduation.
All these activities were significant in my academic maturation. My parents and teachers fostered my growth with praise and encouragement. Through each rite of passage, I grew a little more self-confident and independent. Just as the New World Encyclopedia asserts, my initiations prepared me for the next phase of life. And although rites of passage traditions may differ among cultures, they are all fundamentally the same in that they teach development and wisdom.