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Full presentation discussing history and types of rites of passage, as well as specific benefits to adolescents. Difficulties of adolescence are explored, with consideration of the need for a healthy transition into adulthood. Finally, the adult community is challenged with the opportunity of establishing rites of passage ceremonies for the youth in their community.
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CREATING ADOLESCENT
RITES OF PASSAGE
How to Plan and Coordinate Events that Bring Honor and Healing to Youth
USJT Adolescents Conference Las Vegas, 2006
William G. DeFoore, Ph.D.Institute for Personal & Professional Development,Addison, TX
Rationale and Theory Types and Examples of RitualsSkills and Methodologies
OVERVIEW
1.Separation—Birth, adolescence, leaving home, marriage, death
2.Transition—Learning appropriate behavior for new phase being entered
3.Incorporation—Participant is formally admitted into the new role
PHASES OF RITES
OF PASSAGE
Source: A. Van Gennep The Rites of Passage
•Loss of safety/security of childhood
•Loss of innocence—sexual experience
•Loss of bond with parents•Challenge of peer relationshipsPressureRejectionJudgment
EMOTIONAL LOSS AND CHALLENGEOF ADOLESCENCE
•Various “pictures” of adult life•How attractive is “growing up”?•Challenge of adulthood need to be presented in a way that appears:EncouragingAdventurousEmotionally fulfilling
FACINGADULTHOOD
PROBLEMS RELATED TO LACK OF APPROPRIATE
INITIATION
•Depression, violence, suicide•Substance abuse, sexual promiscuity
•Desperate search for identityGangsCliquesPopularityOutcasts, misfits, “wierdos”
•No elders•Abusive rituals•Substance abuse•Hazing/harassment•Forced sexual encounters• Initiation through acts of violence
RITESOF THEIR
OWN
•Taking responsibility for facilitating rites of passage—guidance
•Recognizing the power of ritual and ceremony—structure
•Being conscious in and of the process (it happens anyway—unconsciously)
•Honoring the shadow elements of adolescence—”ashes time”
ROLE OF PARENTS & ADULT
COMMUNITY
•Expressing, showing love•Demonstrating honor and respect•Willingness and ability to provide a grounded optimistic view of adulthood
•Leadership skills in planning & facilitatingAvoid alcoholChoosing the participantsMatch the ritual to participants
SKILLSAND
COMPONENTS
•Value of same gender groupsTo honor adolescent’s genderTo strengthen a sense of identityTo establish a strong sense of community and connection
•StorytellingParticipants/elders sharing their journey, stories about their mentors
Keeping stories brief and relevant
SKILLSAND
COMPONENTS
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF CEREMONIES
•Australian Aboriginal ModelMaddern (1990)Symbolic JourneyThe ChallengeOpening the Door to the DreamingResponsibilityCommunity Participation
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF CEREMONIES
•Quinceanera—Hispanic•Bar/Bat Mitzvah—Jewish •Vision Quest—Native American•Adventure Education programs•School/church sponsored programs•Men’s/women’s gatherings•Family/friend creations
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF CEREMONIES
• Personal experience18th. birthdayMen’s gatherings
• Professional experienceClient’s self-designed processFather-son weekends
• Ideas, processes and sample ritualsSweat lodgeArt work, mask makingDancing, singing, playing music
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF CEREMONIES
• Ideas, processes and sample ritualsFinding a “sacred place” in nature
Solitary time, fastingNative American visualizationSharing of meaningful adventure and nature experiences
Discuss relationships with mother/father and mentors
Read about and discuss rites of passage from other cultures
Web Resources
WilliamDeFoore.com
Goodfinding.com
AngerManagementResource.com
