Coming of Age refers to the transition between childhood and adulthood. It affirms growing independence, family connection, and ethical values upon which to build. Every faith or cultural tradition has Coming of Age rituals for children from the ages of 12 to 16 years to recognize their growing maturity and expanding concerns beyond the immediate family to their peers and the larger community. Humanism encourages young people to explore their personal journeys to adulthood, recognize their responsibilities, and appreciate a sense of belonging to a caring community.
Everyone enjoys a party, of course, and your child may be invited to celebrate Coming of Age celebrations with their friends. What distinguishes a Humanist ceremony is its emphasis on the values of compassion and social responsibility. Coming of Age is a process of self-discovery, recognizing important relationships, and community service. Ideally, it is a month- or year-long commitment in a community or extended family that involves an adult mentor(s), culminating in a festive celebration.
In humanist congregations, this might also involve graduation from a children’s program into a teen group and be a collective Coming of Age process that includes peers and family members. Ethical Society Coming of Age programs encourage parents to stay closely tied to the ethical processes of their young ones and to engage in their own ethical explorations. Unitarian Universalist congregations provide lovely Coming of Age programming. And Humanistic Judiasm offers humanistic bar and bat mitzvahs.
Here’s an Outline of the Coming of Age Program at Ethical Culture New York City
Coming of Age Traditions From Around the World
- The Satere’-Mawe’ Coming of Age Tradition: Bullet Ant Initiation. In the Brazilian Amazon, young boys belonging to the indigenous Satere’-Mawe’ tribe mark their coming of age when they turn 13 in a Bullet and Ant Initiation.
- Amish Coming of Age Tradition: Rumspringa. In Amish tradition, Rumspringa marks the time when youth turn 16 and can finally enjoy unsupervised weekends away from family.
- Japanese Coming of Age Tradition: Seijin-no-Hi. In Japan, the second Monday of January marks a special day in which 20-year-olds dress up in their finest traditional attire, attend a ceremony in local city offices, receive gifts, and party to their hearts’ content amongst friends and family. The tradition started nearly 1200 years ago and recognizes the age when the Japanese believe youth become mature, contributing members of society (it’s also the time when they get to vote and drink).
