Becoming an adult: a study in coming of age traditions across cultural and religious groups.

Hey guys! David here.

I am doing a wee project and thought that it would be good to get feedback from a variety of different sources, cultures, and religious traditions.

The main thing I want to find out is how in the modern age do we become adults? What markers and touchstones exist if any to mark the passage into being a full member of society? Are they purely legal, or are there trials, traditions, and/or rites that one has to go through to become an adult?

I remeber when I turned 18, my dad took me to the local pub with his friends and bought me my “first legal pint”. Obviously at the time I was just excited I could be in the pub and drink, but that memory has stuck with me as a nice thing that I will do with my own children in time.Upon reflection, this was a recognition of my manhood, that I was now able to participate as an adult in the context of our community.

What about you? What have you recieved? And what will you pass on?

This is a private study, the results of which will only be shared with other participants of the study and one of the classes I assist in. The results will not be published without the consent of all participants, and only for academic purposes.

Thanks a bunch,
David McWilliam :)