A Coming of Age Ceremony

Post date: Dec 04, 2013 3:58:3 PM

Here, in the United States, there isn't an overarching celebration of a person's entry into adulthood. It's more of a slow ascent (descent?). At 18, you can vote. At 21, you can drink alcohol. But, beyond that, there's no rite of passage for the young adult to know they've reached an age of greater responsibility.

The argument can be made for certain life events to mark a passage across the threshold into adulthood. Marriage, first job, voting, drinking shots, sex, first child; but, I'd argue those are more life events, markers of adulthood, not a celebration of entry into adulthood. Though, many times they are used to celebrate adulthood, newfound freedom, and continued vitality.

Some cultures have rites of passage (though, I'm no expert) and some of those have carried into America...if you happen to be part of that "Old World" tradition. By and large, however, rites of initiation into adulthood are fading form the norm.

Which is unfortunate.

For Steven deGaul, the rite of passage is essential to who he is. In the village of Rivertown, formerly Maythern, young men and women choose a name for themselves to strive toward. It symbolizes who they want to become. However, when Steven chooses the name "WolfHunter", he was unaware just how much it would affect his destiny.