I totally agree with Sydney Cook's view on the American rites of passage. Kids today are really materialistic and only define themselves as adults when they get that new car or are able to drink liquor. It's kind of sad because teenagers in other countries have found sentimental and spiritual meaning in their transitions to adulthood, whereas Americans only care about the physical aspects.
A typical rite of passage is marriage. In other countries marriages are a big deal! Every family and friend shows up to the reception and the party will sometimes last for days. That is so amazing compared to wimpy American weddings. In America people can legally be married at the courthouse or in a chapel in Las Vegas without their family or friends. People here also complain A LOT about having to go to their aunt or uncle's wedding -- hello! It's a happy celebration! Marriages in other countries are also held a lot more sacred, meaning that they can't as easily get out of a marriage. In America almost fifty percent of marriages fail. There's something wrong with that in my opinion.
A rite of passage that I believe I have almost completed is being able to make my own opinions and beliefs. I have always been good at looking at both sides of the story and figuring out what I believe is right, but one thing that I haven't always been good at is sticking to my opinion. I kind of let people talk over me and influence what I think. Within the last year though, I have noticed how I tend to stick to what I think is right, and how I've actually started standing up for it too. I think being able to form and keep your opinions shows mental and social maturity, and that it is also an essential skill to have while entering adulthood.
Great post, Halle! Your examples are really solid; Americans do let special things like marriage slip, don't they? I agree that it's wrong to give up like that: isn't it supposed to be sacred? Is there truth to Disney's idea that maybe marriage is supposed to last forever?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can argue with is that not all Americans give up that dream of "happily ever after." I know a lot of people--mostly old people--who still stick together even when it's rough.
But I also like your last statements, and I concur that keeping opinions but being able to listen are one of the biggest qualities of adulthood. I really like your post. :)
~M.J.