Rites Of Passage Research Paper

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Pages: 3

As though there might not be a written “rites of passage” to mark the transition from adolescence to adulthood in American society; there is certainly an unwritten rule for this transition. I would think that engaging in adult activity or involvement or obtaining a paid job while going to school is an act of adulthood in which would likely considered a rite of passage in marking someone as being responsible as would an adult. In tribal communities and ancient times, villagers within tribes uses initiation as a rite of passage for adulthood in marking their acceptance of formal admission into adulthood. I think that gang initiation rituals do relate to marking themselves as acceptance into their particular group that they would associate as family …show more content…
The level of initiation varies depending on the situation and the beliefs of the group. In which case, gang initiation may involve proving oneself that they can handle the harsh physical beatings brought forth by some of the members as a proof of toughness. They may have to prove themselves through initiation rituals that may consist of bodily harm; proving to the gang that they are capable of defending their own without backing down. Individual who decides to join a gang does not necessarily step right into the initiation phase in becoming one of the gang member. It may take months before they are granted the permission to enter the initiation process and that they have proven themselves with their time being involved with the gang. Many gang initiations consisted of one defending himself from several other members of the same gang, fighting them off as they attack him with force within a duration of set time. They must show commitment and dedication in never backing down. In other cases, gang initiations may involve the new member to commit murder against other rival gang members or random civilians to proof their worth and their toughness that they do not hesitant to pull the