Coming of age

The term Coming of age is normally used to describe when a child has become an adult. In law this border is referred to as the term: Age of Majority. Spiritual and religious cultures has rites such as the Christian Confirmation and the Jewish Bar mitzvah. There are also country specific rites such as the Japanese Seijin shiki. Tribal history speak of lethal rites were to become adult one had to overcome dangers of nature, which of course had to do with the fact the afterwards he were to be apart in the responsibility to protect the tribe against threats. The tribe also had to have confidence in his abilities to be able to coupe with such great responsibility which of course was the reason why the rites had to be lethal.

Why is there a distinguish between childhood and adulthood and who created it? Well, looking at the examples above, the tribal part is the most interesting one. Today’s rites are more of a ceremonial act than a lethal rite. In ancient tribal history there was of course no advanced decision to be made about this. All grown up men had to protect the tribe. Someone had to make the judgement when the child was mature enough to take go thru the rite. This decision was of course made by the leaders or elders of the tribe.

During the transition from the later tribal and nomad period over to the early civilizations in history, it was more into it than just being able to protect the tribe. As intelligence, tactics and faith became involved, the judgment became a lot more complicated. In our modern civilization adulthood is NOT about being able to protect our tribe. It’s about thing like being able to draw the right conclusions, make the correct decisions and to being able to take part in society without slipping out on the side.