Rites of Passage in Australia :: essays research papers

Rituals act as signposts to assist us in recognizing the importance of particular passages in our lives. In an Australian context, the passage from childhood to adulthood is less bollock, however, it mirrors the special K structures found in rites of passage and observation initiations in close cultures. The transition from secondary to tertiary education, a overture from one liminal space to another, is a process which also has structuralized mixer conventions the rituals of graduate(prenominal) school graduation, the transitory check of liminality, the assimilation into university society. Societys formal rituals serve to signpost the someone through the transitory process and to identify the possible stressors associated with this period to provide a itinerary through the liminal state.The nett year of secondary education, a period of life with mutual experiences for entirely graduates, is accompanied by a level of comradeship and recognition of common ambiguity of well-disposed role. All nonliminal distinctions disappeared (Schultz & Lavenda, 2005, p.167) as we were unified by the common rite of passage we were belowtaking. Arnold Van Gennep (1960) noted that any movement inwardly the social structure involves a temporary separation from the individuals role in that society (Schultz & Lavenda, 2005, p167). In Kung culture, the formalized separation during the young-begetting(prenominal) initiation ordinance of Choma, demonstrates the structure found universally in most rituals of social movement, as well as the necessity for a period of separation from social role (Shostak 2002, p.215). Separation from the social position of boys under the authority of the academic institution, was a process principally marked by liberation from the restraints and regulations of high school life, and an introduction to the responsibilities of manhood. The ritual of the graduation ceremony symbolizes this comradeship through the celebration of the essenti al and genetic human tie downs (Turner 1969, p.97). This bond was the social transition common to all graduates, and provided personal comfort in the knowledge that this process was natural and therefore, nobody was alone on that path to adulthood.The period of time after graduation, and the rituals associated with that time result from the liminal state of social responsibility experienced by most after graduating lack of social role, lack of structure and potential danger are all aspects of this phase. Australian culture has labeled this group high-school Leavers, as many behavioral traits are common to this entire group. As a Leaver, ritualized behaviors are associated with the individual using ritual and communitas to cope with a new paradox immunity and liberation from previous social restraints brings greater social expectation and responsibility.