RP303 Growing Up Around the World

 RP303 Growing Up Around the World

The transition from childhood to adulthood is a long, difficult process for anyone. It is also very important socially, and every culture has its own way of celebrating it. Depending on where you live, your coming-of-age ceremony may be one of the happiest or unhappiest occasions of your life!
Just when one stops being a child is itself a question of culture. In Malaysia, some girls celebrate their 11th birthdays by reciting the final chapter of the Koran from memory. This proves that they are now full members of the community. In the United States, “sweet 16” is the special birthday for many girls, whose families throw large parties for them. Americans can drive at 16, so some lucky girls get cars, too!
The Japanese celebrate adulthood even later—at age 20—for both girls and boys. Known as Seijin No Hi, the occasion includes traditional clothes, a ceremony at the local government office, gifts, and of course a big party. Twenty currently being the legal drinking age in Japan, it no doubt also includes quite a hangover!
While most coming-of-age traditions last only a short time, some go on for years. The Amish of North America are known for living as their ancestors did nearly two centuries ago. They reject electricity, cars, fashion, and sometimes even hot running water. At age 16, however, they are given freedom to do as they like on weekends. For many, this means dressing in modern styles, using modern conveniences, and so forth. Some young Amish people wind up spending years away from their communities. Some stay away forever. Those who wish to return to the Amish way of life, however, must do so by age 26.
Not all rites of passage are happy events, at least not for their participants. In the Amazon rain forest, 13-year-old boys of the Sateré-Mawé tribe must spend 10 minutes wearing a pair of gloves with stinging ants woven into them. Other tribes mark adulthood by tattooing young people's skin or filing down their teeth. Ouch!
Everyone grows up, no matter how or where. That means coming-of-age ceremonies will always be a part of life, including yours!