How important are rites of passage to psychological development?
Gurian: I think they’re very important. As children grow up, this is the way they learn what’s expected, valued and treasured in their culture. Rites of passage bind the generations. In a formal rite of passage, lots of people assemble to note this; they focus on and welcome the child to a new stage of life. When you think of how many different kinds of families we have today, rites of passage are even more important to help children develop a solid sense of who they are and what their culture is. With so many different types of families and the divorce rate so high, rites of passage are even more important to help children develop a sense of their heritage. I think new rituals and new rites of passage are going to grow out of this diversity of families. NYC: Do rites of passage differ by culture? Gurian: In small communities, the traditions are more settled and the particular forms that rites of passage take are more expected and less likely to vary. In a more urban atmosphere, there
