Coming Of Age-The Rights Of Passage:

Rights Of Passage-Or Coming Of Age:
In some cultures young boys at the age of 16 or even 13 years of age, are inducted into the social fabric of society, via certain ceremonial practices.
In Jewish culture, young practicing Jews of Judaism are expected to perform this traditional ceremony on their male offspring, when he attains the age of 13 years. This ceremony is called 'BAR MITVAH.' This ceremony is performed to symbolically induce the young male, for the responsibility that comes with manhood.
These 'social mores' have been evident in many cultures for centuries. But today, it is mostly done in societies that adhere to stringent traditional religious, and social values. Unlike Western Christian oriented societies, where such practices are not too stringent or enforced.
Has there been a 'right of passage' for young African boys? I would imagine so, but those of us who are descendents of former slaves, living in Western European cultures, may have lost that traditional African heritage or practice. And de-facto, does not indulge in any expected ceremony that will help our young men/boys to realize how important it is to understand their role in the family, the society, and the politics that influences the way we think, feel, and act as adults.
Because of this long lost traditional teaching, most young African male descendents, find it somewhat difficult to introduce values that is peculiarly our own. That will benefit and enlighten our own kind, in their quest at attaining manhood, and manhood responsibilities. What we have as guidance, are imposed rules, handed down to us in the societies in which we find ourselves captive, or circumstantial.
Albeit, the young Black male has to determine his role in a society that has conflicting roles and expectations for it's menfolk. This causes psychological conflict within him, that forever influences how he perceives himself, and his role or roles in the society in which he operates. His relationship to other men, and to women are also affected by this lack of solid moral and social values, hitherto lost, or discontinued, as a result of slavery.
Om Shanti.
Derryck.
Political Educator & Advocate.