rites of passage

Cultural  

1. Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, and death. Rites of passage usually involve ritual activities and teachings designed to strip individuals of their original roles and prepare them for new roles. The traditional American wedding ceremony is such a rite of passage. In many so-called primitive societies, some of the most complex rites of passage occur at puberty, when boys and girls are initiated into the adult world. In some ceremonies, the initiates are removed from their village and may undergo physical mutilation before returning as adults.

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Rites of passage generally affirm community solidarity, especially in times of change or crisis.

Example Sentences

For Californians, crossing the fabled Donner Pass and descending to Lake Tahoe is one of those essential rites of passage.

From Los Angeles Times

The disaster left many students wondering whether they’d get to experience certain adolescent rites of passage, including prom.

From Los Angeles Times

Yu’s report called on the police department to ban “‘rites of passage’ that might be construed as hazing or disparate treatment towards probationary officers.”

From Los Angeles Times

So who are we now to preach to younger generations for whom gap years and backpacking are almost a rites of passage and indeed life enhancing experiences?

From BBC

The platform within a platform has made the formerly antisocial and taboo conversations we used to have among ourselves, or refrain from instigating altogether, mandatory rites of passage for real and just social acceptance.

From Los Angeles Times