1. Adolescence: How We See andAdolescence: How We See and
Celebrate This Stage of the LifeCelebrate This Stage of the Life
CycleCycle

2. Questions About How We SeeQuestions About How We See
Adolescence…Adolescence…
• Is every generation of youth getting worseIs every generation of youth getting worse
than the last?than the last?
• Has our social planning been wrong, andHas our social planning been wrong, and
our society is deeply disordered?our society is deeply disordered?
• Do we prolong the maturation of youngDo we prolong the maturation of young
people far too long, cultivatingpeople far too long, cultivating
irresponsibility and rebellion?irresponsibility and rebellion?

3. Quote about youth…Quote about youth…
• ““The children now love luxury; they have badThe children now love luxury; they have bad
manners, contempt for authority; they allowmanners, contempt for authority; they allow
disrespect for elders and love chatter in place ofdisrespect for elders and love chatter in place of
exercise. Children are now tyrants, not theexercise. Children are now tyrants, not the
servants of their households. They no longer riseservants of their households. They no longer rise
when elders enter the room. They contradict theirwhen elders enter the room. They contradict their
parents, chatter before company, gobble upparents, chatter before company, gobble up
dainties at the table, cross their legs, anddainties at the table, cross their legs, and
tyrannize their teachers.tyrannize their teachers.””

4. Sexual MaturationSexual Maturation
• Sexual maturationSexual maturation (the ability(the ability
to produce children) is theto produce children) is the
physiological cue that beginsphysiological cue that begins
the transformation from child tothe transformation from child to
adult.adult.
• However, usually lack strength /However, usually lack strength /
stamina / mastery of technicalstamina / mastery of technical
and social skills to assume fulland social skills to assume full
economic / socialeconomic / social
responsibilities required of aresponsibilities required of a
husband / parent.husband / parent.

5. AdolescenceAdolescence
• So a transitionSo a transition
period calledperiod called
adolescenceadolescence waswas
created for this in-created for this in-
between stage of thebetween stage of the
lifecycle.lifecycle.

6. Adolescence As a Period ofAdolescence As a Period of
TransitionTransition
• Duration of adolescenceDuration of adolescence
depends on the social-depends on the social-
cultural characteristics of thecultural characteristics of the
society.society.
• Was not always recognizedWas not always recognized
in industrialized societies;in industrialized societies;
was invented for economicwas invented for economic
reasons.reasons.
• Unable to find work, teensUnable to find work, teens
sometimes ended up gettingsometimes ended up getting
into trouble on the streets.into trouble on the streets.

7. Adolescence in CanadaAdolescence in Canada
• In Canada adolescence can last fromIn Canada adolescence can last from
12 – 19, usually adolescents are12 – 19, usually adolescents are
separated from adults in various ways.separated from adults in various ways.

8. Coming of Age RitualsComing of Age Rituals
• Can you think of any rituals that signifyCan you think of any rituals that signify
adulthood in our society?adulthood in our society?

9. Adolescence in Pre-IndustrialAdolescence in Pre-Industrial
SocietiesSocieties
• In some hunting / gathering societies, adolescenceIn some hunting / gathering societies, adolescence
is a relatively short period, if it exists at all.is a relatively short period, if it exists at all.

10. Adolescence in Pre-IndustrialAdolescence in Pre-Industrial
SocietiesSocieties
• !Kung people consider a!Kung people consider a
female a woman once shefemale a woman once she
has reached menarche, andhas reached menarche, and
has had a short coming ofhas had a short coming of
age ceremony.age ceremony.
• Males are considered menMales are considered men
after they kill their 1after they kill their 1stst
buckbuck
and participate in a comingand participate in a coming
of age ritual that lasts a fewof age ritual that lasts a few
days.days.

11. Adolescence in Pre-industrialAdolescence in Pre-industrial
SocietiesSocieties
• In many pre-industrial societiesIn many pre-industrial societies
initiation ritesinitiation rites are oftenare often
elaborate and mean as much toelaborate and mean as much to
the community as they do to thethe community as they do to the
individual. They:individual. They:
• Ensure that the group will surviveEnsure that the group will survive
as its traditions are passed on.as its traditions are passed on.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BoNmpvkavohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BoNmpvkavo
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Yhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Y

12. • Link betweenLink between
family andfamily and
community.community.
• Link is formedLink is formed
with the past,with the past,
since initiates gosince initiates go
through the samethrough the same
rituals that theirrituals that their
parents andparents and
grandparents did.grandparents did.

13. Adolescence in Pre-industrialAdolescence in Pre-industrial
SocietiesSocieties
• There are a number of commonThere are a number of common
threads that exist in many ofthreads that exist in many of
these ceremonies in pre-these ceremonies in pre-
industrial societies.industrial societies.
1.1. Symbolic death and rebirth.Symbolic death and rebirth.
2.2. Isolation of the initiate.Isolation of the initiate.
3.3. Physical changes.Physical changes.
4.4. Cleansing.Cleansing.
5.5. Tests of endurance,Tests of endurance,
bravery or competence.bravery or competence.
6. Teaching and learning.6. Teaching and learning.
7. Community and sharing of food.7. Community and sharing of food.

14. Liminality and Becoming aLiminality and Becoming a
SoldierSoldier
• Read pages 211 – 212 and answer questionsRead pages 211 – 212 and answer questions
1 – 3.1 – 3.