 “The rituals tell teenagers that it is time to change the way they think and live; it tells the community that the children are now adults, to be treated with equal status and rights.”

 Read 2 examples: graduating senior and West African boy, a member of the Dagara tribe  Ritual: Any activity or event performed in a set manner

 Examples of events: graduation ceremonies, church services, and memorial services  Examples of activities: proper attire for an event, how you greet your friends, decorating the Christmas tree, birthday song and party, dinner table setting

 Add meaning to our lives  Help us to cope and understand  Order  Help to establish common experiences  Strengthen society and community  The older generation can be confident in younger generation

1. The Separation- an individual is separated from everyday life and what s/he once knew  Individual leaves home, family, and former life—can be forced  “the monster”

2. Initiation/Transformation-an individual’s way of thinking and behaving changes  Length of time varies  “death”  “rebirth”  Individual changes emotionally and/or physically to represent internal change

3. The Return- Individual comes back to community as an adult  Change is recognized  Important to individual and community  Uses new knowledge and skills  New knowledge and skills are helpful in the future