Hazing

Hazing, the submitting of initiates to indignities at the hands of upperclassmen, is a part of rites of passage. As a pledging rite, the freshmen, or fraternity pledges, prove their worthiness to be members of that particular body, by partaking in and going along with ridiculous, self-debasing acts. By doing so they show that they can and will confirm to the authority that governs that body.

Example:

A: What's Hal doing in a bunny suit?

B: Don't you know? He is a pledge to join a fraternity, and he's going through hazing.

A: Man, I guess I'll never join a frat. I'm not ever going to let somebody make such a fool out of me.

B: Perish the thought. You're doing fine all by yourself!

To see the image, click here! (the picture isn't uploaded here because of being a little impolite!)

The Sweet Sixteen Party

Since the number sixteen is said to represent the midpoint of the teen years, a "sweet sixteen" party has served as a kind of puberty initiation rite, particularly for girls. The expression "sweet sixteen and never been kissed," although perhaps not as true today as in earlier times, is still alive and serves as a theme for many parties celebrating the teen years.

Example:

A: Did you have a good birthday, Nancy?

B: Boy, was I ever embarrassed! We went out to dinner, and when my dad told the waiters it was my sixteenth birthday, they all sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and then one by one, they gave me a little kiss on the cheek.

B: Well, you know the old saying, "sweet sixteen and never been kissed." I guess they didn't want to see you miss out.

A: But I'm fine. I already have a boyfriend.

Bar Mitzvah

The bar mitzvah (a Herbrew term referring to the ceremony of marking one as a son of the commandment) occurs on the day after a Jewish law, thirteenth birthday. According to Jewish law, thirteen is considered the age of responsibility for boys. At the bar mitzvah the boy is required to give the a public address to emphasize his coming of age. The opening line for such a speech is: "Today I am a man." A similar ceremony, the bat mitzvah, marks the passage of a girl to womanhood.

Example:

The day of Josh's bar mitzvah was indeed a joyous occasion. After having spent many hours studying the Torah and preparing his public address for congregation, Josh felt that he was indeed ready to declare that he was a man. Now, as a young man ready to assume responsibilities, he was assigned the task of warmly greeting the guests, who had been invited to the reception that his parents had planned for this special day.

First Communion

The first Holy Communion, a Roman Catholic religious ceremony, has its origins in the Middle Ages, when children had to understand the distinction between plain bread and the bread of life (the body of Christ) before they were given Communion. Now church leaders accept seven or eight years old as an age of reason when the children (often dressed in white) receive their First Holy Communion, without requiring the children to explain the distinction between the two breads.

Example:

A: Where are you off, Sally?

B: I'm going to my confirmation class tonight. I have my First Communion next Sunday. My parents are having a get-together for family and friends after the ceremony. Why don't you drop by?

A: Don't mind if I do. And I'll bring a little something for you to make your day even more rewarding.

B: Only if you insist.

The Birthday Cake & Candles

With each birthday, Americans not only celebrate growth but also the passing of another year. Thus, candles are symbols of both life and and death, as well as both hope and fear. When a person makes a wish over these symbols, he/she invokes powers for good fortune. And when that person snuffs these symbols, he/she expresses the hope to have a degree of control over whatever lies in store for him/her.

Example:

A: Happy birthday! Now close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles.

B: (The birthday girl blows out all of the candles at once.)

A: Hooray for you! You blew them all out in one breath. That means you'll get your wish for sure.

B: But, Dad. You said that you wouldn't allow me to have a chimpanzee as a pet around the house.

A: Oops!

Birthday Spankings

The mock spanking administered to a birthday boy or girl recalls a rite that has long been an integral feature of many initiation ceremonies. The "public" spanking highlights the specialness of the child and invites the child back into the fold by offering him or her luck (one to grow on) and congratulations.

Example:

A: I can hardly wait. My birthday is coming up in two more days.

B: (Jokingly) Will you still be getting your little birthday spanking to wish you luck and an extra one to grow on?

A: Get serious! Sure, Mom & Dad always pretended to "pat" my behind and tell me that I needed an extra one to grow on when I was growing up. But I'm already six feet, two inches tall. Does it look like I need to grow anymore?

Singing Happy Birthday

The original title of the song was "Good Morning to You", and it was written in the late nineteenth century by two sisters involved in elementary education. They composed a song with a simple melody & lyrics that even a child of three could sing without hesitation.



Example:

A: (Invited guests singing)...Happy birthday, dear Carol. Happy birthday to you!

B: Mom, I'd sure like to see what's in that big box before we have our cake and ice cream.

C: You'll have to be patient just a little while longer so we can open all the presents at the same time. You know, good things come in small packages, too.

Baptism

From ancient times water served the dual purpose of purifying & protecting both mother and child from evil spirits. The Christian notion is that the water washes away original sin. Thus, in Christian baptismal ceremony the child is either immersed in the baptismal basin (as in the Greek Orthodox ceremony) or sprinkled with holy water (as in the Catholic ceremony). The Christian baptism also includes the naming of the child, since during baptismal rite the child is reborn into Christ.

Example:

A: Did you receive an invitation to the baptism of Todd's daughter?

B: Yup. It's this Sunday, right?

A: Right. And he's having a party afterward. Will you be coming?

B: Sure will. How could I ever pass up those delicacies that his wife always prepares on occasions like this?

Passing Out Cigars

In primitive ceremonies an individual blessed with the arrival if a baby shared his fortune with the community, to avoid the envy of both his fellows and the gods. The smoke of a proud papa's pipe drifting toward the heavens was a sort of appeasement to the heavenly powers. Today's father's distribution of cigars to celebrate the arrival of a baby may be regarded as modern variant of this virtual.


Example:

A: Wow! Those are prime cigars! Where did you get them?

B: Actually, I got them from a friend. He's been passing them out right and left. His wife just gave a birth.

A: Oh, what did she have -a boy or a girl?

B: She had triplets! Why do you think I have so many cigars?

Blue is for Boys - Pink is for Girls

Since all babies look alike, boys are usually dressed in blue and girls in pink simply to identify the sex. In ancient times, girl babies were regarded as inferior to boys babies, so the color blue, which was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits, was reserved exclusively for the boys. The color pink was introduced for baby girls in accordance with a legendary European tradition that suggested girls were born inside a pink rose.


Example:

A: What color are you going to paint the baby's room?

B: I'm not sure. It all depends if we're having a boy or girl.

A: How about yellow? It's sunny and bright, and it'll fit a baby of either sex.

B: Good idea! And I won't have to repaint if we have twins -a girl for you and a boy for me.

A Visit from the Stork

Several factors contributed to the belief in the stork as the bringer of babies. People watched the stork take care in making its home, and they noted how out of devotion it returned to the same spot each year. Also, the storks love water, and tradition held that it was in watery places that souls of the unborn children dwelt.

Example:

A: Hi, Al. Heard you had a visit from the stork the other day.

B: Sure did! A bouncing baby boy! I've gotta admit -the doctor deserves some of the credit, too.