are rites of passage important to gender identity, and what are they these days

[Natasha]

historically, in some tribal societies, a man would go off into the wilderness alone, and if he survived for a period of time, he would return to the tribe and relate his story, and be considered a man.

Women similarly would mark the onset of menstruation in various ways.

these days, perhaps the modern rites of passage include passing a driving test, becoming able to vote, owning a mobile phone and having a bank account, none of which really involve gender at all.

can you think of any modern rites of passage which are gender specific?

is it important for there be to be some rite of passage to mark the transition to adulthood as a man or woman (from being a boy or girl), or is becoming a legal adult sufficient?

[Valentina]

Specific gender rites tend to be considered sexist in today's world. For example, buying a son his first gun, but not buying a daughter one. Taking a son to a whorehouse and teaching a daughter to abstain. Throwing a Sweet 16 or debutante party for a daughter but not for a son.

There are some religious traditions that used to be single sex and now are for both sexes. A big example is the Jewish Bar Mitzvah. For centuries, only boys did it. But, since the 1970s, girls do it too.

And, of course, the chronological rites such as drivers license, vote, and drinking are for both sexes.

I think that in addition to the melding of rites to be unisex, another big change from the past is the realization that just because a kid is now of chronological adult age does not mean that the kid is an emotionally mature adult.

[tekla]

Well out here there is the Quinceañera, but that's culture specific.

[Jeannette]

It depends on who is judging this rite of passage and who we look up to as our mentors. They seem to set the standards. Gender, in my opinion has nothing to do with it.

It is not as simple as surviving the wilderness, it is surviving a life situation which is almost unbearable. Standing alone. Independent. Then, and only then, does anyone have the right to say they have achieved their own "rite of passage".