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The Why Factor: Coming of Age

A quinceanera, a coming of age party

09/11/2012

Coming of Age

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Coming of Age

Why do different cultures mark the advent of adulthood at different ages?

Why do different cultures mark the advent of adulthood at different ages? For some it is celebrated by lavish parties, for others, by endurance tests and initiation ceremonies.

Why do different cultures have different coming of ages? For some the advent of adulthood is celebrated by lavish parties, for others, by endurance tests and initiation ceremonies. But they all share a commonality - the symbolic passing of childhood into the adult world which usually confers new rights: legal, political or religious.  

But what really changes? And why is adolescence, for many, lasting longer than ever?

(Image: Mexican teenagers pose for photos following quinceanera, a coming of age party. Credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

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