Is Graduation Considered A Passing Ceremony?

Graduation is a significant rite of passage in some cultures, marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is a time when individuals are recognized for their accomplishments and ready to take on new societal responsibilities. This chapter explores what a rite of passage is, its importance and benefits to students, colleges, and society, and provides practical strategies for integrating such experiences.

Graduation is considered one of the last remaining “rites of passage” in modern societies, as it signifies the graduates leaving the group of youth and entering the world of adulthood. The phrase “pomp and circumstance” refers to a formal and impressive ceremony or display of splendor or stateliness. Graduations can be seen as a system of psychological transformation where the ritual mimics some part of said change.

In 2020, the year was an unprecedented and stressful time, especially at graduation time, a tradition that marks a rite of passage. Graduations, like weddings, bar mitzvahs, and baptisms, are rites of passage because they signify an accomplishment or status. They also indicate growth because it means that individuals have made significant progress in their lives.

In conclusion, graduation is a significant rite of passage in many cultures, marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood and indicating growth. It is a process of reflection, meaning-making, letting go, and welcoming, which is essential for students, colleges, and society as a whole.

Is college a rite of passage?

College is a rite of passage for many people, with two main reasons: preparing for a specific career or obtaining a general education in subjects like literature, history, and philosophy. Many people go to college for personal benefits such as general knowledge, improved thinking, clear communication, and the pleasure of reading great works. However, some people also seek the full college experience, which involves the dorming, dining, and dying that come with college.

College is not just a degree or education, but a rite of passage, akin to a mountain top climb or a leap out of a soaring plane. It is an intentional pursuit to prove one’s worth, requiring one to survive college, endure cramped rooms, unhealthy food, toxic young adult culture, and heavy homework loads. This experience is akin to a midnight hazing ritual, performed by eager young men to “initiate” the new member of the club of adults.

If one can endure the blows of their peers and suffer the way we have suffered, they are worthy to be a member of the club of adults, while those who do not are relegated to the category of reprehensible blue collar workers.

What would be considered a rite of passage?

This article discusses rites of passage, ceremonial events that mark the transition from one social or religious status to another in various societies worldwide. These rites are often connected to biological crises, such as birth, maturity, reproduction, and death, which bring changes in social status and social relations. Other rites celebrate cultural changes, such as initiation into societies with special interests, such as fraternities.

Rites of passage are universal and have been present in pre-existing societies since very early times. They have also been used as a means of providing entertainment, with religion being a primary vehicle for art, music, song, dance, and other forms of aesthetic experience. French anthropologist and folklorist Arnold van Gennep coined the term “rites of passage” in 1909, viewing them as means to ease individuals through the difficulties of transitioning from one social role to another without social disruption.

Van Gennep’s analysis of preliterate and literate societies revealed that rites of passage consist of three distinct elements: separation, transition, and reincorporation. The person symbolically severed from their old status, undergoes adjustment during the transition period, and is finally reincorporated into society in their new social status. Although the most commonly observed rites relate to crises in the life cycle, van Gennep saw the significance of these ceremonies as social or cultural, celebrating important events that are primarily sociocultural or human-made rather than biological.

What does rite mean in graduation?

A rite is a ceremony or event that marks a new phase of life, such as high school graduation or a bat mitzvah. Rites are rituals, with religions having many rites, including celebrations and sacraments like baptism or confession. They can also signify moving through a stage of life, such as a football player’s first touchdown being a “rite of passage”. Even a job interview can be considered a rite, as it is a traditional ritual. In some cultures, a rite is performed when an individual changes status, such as from adolescence to adulthood.

Is graduating a rite of passage?

Graduation is a significant event for students, marking the transition into adulthood. It is a beautiful moment of unity with peers, showcasing school spirit. The moment comes when the student receives their diploma, a testament to their hard work. The 1991 graduation from Meadowdale High School was a memorable experience, with the family cheering loudly. However, in the 1950s, a group of 24 deaf students were denied a graduation ceremony due to their skin color. This injustice was rectified by providing them with a well-deserved event.

Is turning 16 a rite of passage?

Sweet Sixteen celebrations are a societal rite of passage in many cultures, welcoming individuals into adulthood and acknowledging their potential contributions. The rituals include lighting symbolic candles and presenting meaningful gifts, shaping an individual’s identity and reinforcing their place in society. One common tradition involves lighting sixteen candles, each representing a year of the celebrant’s life, symbolizing qualities like love, wisdom, or friendship.

What are 5 rites passages?

Initiation rites are crucial for human growth, development, and socialization in many African communities. These rites mark the transition to full group membership and connect individuals to the community and spiritual world. Dr. Manu Ampim identifies five stages of initiation rites: rite to birth, rite to adulthood, rite to marriage, rite to eldership, and rite to ancestorship. In Zulu culture, entering womanhood is celebrated by the Umhlanga.

Rites of passage are diverse and found in many cultures worldwide. Many western societal rituals may appear like rites of passage but miss important structural and functional components. In Native and African-American communities, traditional rites of passage programs are conducted by community-based organizations like Man Up Global. The missing piece is the societal recognition and reincorporation phase. Adventure education programs like Outward Bound have been described as potential rites of passage.

In tribal and developed societies, entry into an age grade, generally gender-separated, is marked by an initiation rite, which may be the crowning of a long and complex preparation, sometimes in retreat.

Is college graduation a ritual?

Commencement ceremonies are not just about awarding degrees; they are ritualized moments in our lives that people unconsciously perceive to cause actual changes in the world. Following the protests over the Gaza war, several U. S. universities have decided to cancel or ramp down commencement ceremonies, citing security concerns. Anthropologists have studied the role of collective ceremonies in creating meaning and belonging for two decades, finding that depriving people of meaningful rituals can lead to disillusionment and social disengagement. The situation may worsen as more universities follow suit.

Is a ritual a rite?

The terms “rites” and “rituals” are often used interchangeably. However, there are subtle but important distinctions between the two. Rites are established, structured, and ceremonial acts, whereas rituals are actions performed in a rite with symbolic meaning. Rites are defined as well-structured and ceremonial acts.

What type of ritual is a graduation?

Graduation ceremonies are significant rituals that acknowledge the past, celebrate the present, and provide graduates with guidance for a future filled with purpose and possibility. Such ceremonies serve as a powerful beginning, rather than merely an ending.

Is going to college a rite of passage?

College is a rite of passage for many people, with two main reasons: preparing for a specific career or obtaining a general education in subjects like literature, history, and philosophy. Many people go to college for personal benefits such as general knowledge, improved thinking, clear communication, and the pleasure of reading great works. However, some people also seek the full college experience, which involves the dorming, dining, and dying that come with college.

College is not just a degree or education, but a rite of passage, akin to a mountain top climb or a leap out of a soaring plane. It is an intentional pursuit to prove one’s worth, requiring one to survive college, endure cramped rooms, unhealthy food, toxic young adult culture, and heavy homework loads. This experience is akin to a midnight hazing ritual, performed by eager young men to “initiate” the new member of the club of adults.

If one can endure the blows of their peers and suffer the way we have suffered, they are worthy to be a member of the club of adults, while those who do not are relegated to the category of reprehensible blue collar workers.

Is a birthday a rite of passage?

A psychologist employed a Jungian perspective to analyze the significance of birthdays, conceptualizing them as rites of passage that facilitate the navigation of life’s uncertain transitions.