Part I

There are many different types of rituals of transition that go on in our current culture. I think it is safe to say that most Americans love to participate in celebrations. This can be from their favorite sports team winning the championship game, to holidays and birthdays, graduations, religious ceremonies, weddings, reaching adulthood and even celebrations of a person’s life. Depending on where you grew up in the U.S. and how you were raised, depends on the traditions and rituals that your family participates in. One thing that I have noticed while being raised in the U.S. is that society seems to have a paved path for young people to follow. They say that everyone gets to decide what they do with their life, but I personally feel as though society has created this idea that once you hit a certain age, you go with what everyone else is doing. By that, I mean once you hit 18 and graduate high school, you’re considered an adult. You get a part time job, go to college, graduate, get a big girl/boy job, settle down, get married, buy a house, have kids, and live this perfect life. To do this out of order or leave a few steps out you are silently judged. 

Part II

Growing up, my family made religion a huge priority. My two older sisters and myself participated in Sunday school, religious education, mission trips, and even various volunteer events that our church put on. But the biggest events that truly showed to be stepping stones in our lives, were baptism at a young age, first communion in second grade, and confirmation my freshman year of high school. Those three events showed commitment to my religion, but also transitioned me into different points in my life. Some other rituals of transition that were important in my life consisted of a lot of “firsts”. At 16, getting my license was HUGE. I finally was able to test the responsibilities that my parents were giving me. With that came my first job, first car, first credit card and first curfew. Back then I felt so much independence but also was hit with a lot of reality of how expensive and draining it was to feel a little bit of what it is like to grow up. My family also was very persistent on ensuring my siblings and I all graduated from high school and applied to college to ensure that we were to get a good education. Since my other siblings are also girls, puberty was also a pivotal point for my family. This was a time for accepting who we are and feeling empowered as a young female into the transition from a child into a young lady. I remember when both my sisters got their first menstrual cycle that my parents took each one out for a celebration and dinner just with my parents. It was something I had always looked forward to because it showed a transition of maturity. 

Part III

In the lecture video “Rituals and Rites of Passage” I found it very interesting how relatable it was to my college experience. College has been a time of responsivity and independent while also exploring who I am and how I want to live my life. With that, all the rules that my parents put in place for me when I was younger, aren’t necessarily followed anymore. Bed times, curfews, yes and no’s, and money are all things that I decide now. One thing that really got me thinking was that the video referred to high school as a hierarchy and college more of a community where everyone was treated as an equal. I have to completely agree with that. In high school, I remember being called “fresh meat” when I was a freshman. A lot of people laughed, and we were treated as if we were lower than everyone else. I remember becoming a senior and everyone saying, “how’s it feels to be at the top of the food chain?” and I never really understood why high school was like that. I actually feel more comfortable now in college where classes range from all grade levels. Some explicit messages I have received while attending college, is that women are supposed to have lots of fun, go out and get drunk all the time while also expressing themselves and exploring men. It is similar for men in the sense that they get to party all the time and have all the sex they want because for both men and women, after the 4 years is up, it is time to settle down. I personally think that this mentality needs to change because I hate when people assume that these are the things I am participating in, when in reality, it isn’t like that. Some implicit messages are that women are supposed to be able to balance all the things listed above while also getting straight As, volunteering, working, and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to have their life together as soon as they graduate college. It is physically impossible to be able to balance everything without feeling drained and exhausted. I think it is important for each person to figure out who they are, but to not judge others for doing it differently then them.