Although there are many different types of rites of passage they differ in many ways, some much more extreme than the others. There are so many different cultures that have a ton of different ways of expressing rites of passage. The three different cultures that will be discussed are the United States of America, Malaysian, and Balinese adolescents. Some of the things that will be discussed are the different forms of rites of passage, the different ages that they take place at, and how they affect all the different societies.
The best definition of a rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person’s transition from one status to another. This can be in many different forms, some being a lot more extreme than the others. In the United States rites of passage seem to be a lot less extreme than in other cultures. When most people think of a rite of passage around here it’s usually a Sweet Sixteen party, a marriage, or a funeral. Although those are the main ones there are still some that are very common but a lot less known as a rite of passage. If you were ever in any sports growing up I’m sure that you’ve at least heard of hazing if not actually been a part of it or seen it happening. Hazing is type of Rite of Passage when you’re new to a team that happens in all levels of athletics from little leagues all the way up to the professional level. It is usually the veteran players making the younger players do certain things to embarrass them or just doing stuff for the older player in general. It is just supposed to be so you know that the younger player is good enough to be on the team and just to have a little fun with them. Although it is meant to just be a little joke and supposed to be all about fun there have been numerous times that people have gone way too far. Hazing is also extremely common in fraternities as well. Just recently there was a case that happened at Northern Illinois University which is
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