Re: Rites of Passage
Gerold Firl (geroldf@sdd.hp.com)
14 Aug 1996 19:37:03 GMT
In article <32120B87.E1E@byu.edu>, Shannon Adams <shannon_adams@byu.edu> writes:
|> that some theorists are explaining extreme aggression and meloncholy among
|> American adolescents to a lack of formal rites of passage.
Interesting idea.
|> I guess another question is do these
|> rituals have the same kind of mystical effect (this is coming from Victor
|> Turner so don't flame me) and personal and religious affirmation of status
|> (Eliade) that seem to be essential to these events.
Here's a secular point of view on why rites of passage are important to
people: they give the initiate a sense of confidence, a feeling that
they deserve to be doing what they're doing, they have the right to
fulfill the role they are playing. The rite operates to remove
self-doubt. It's something tangible to fall back on if there are any
doubts about whether you should be there. You've been publically
acknowleged as having a particular status, which is a useful boost when
you're having doubts.
I believe you suggested that signing divorce papers was a rite of
passage; I don't think that really falls into this category.
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