coming of age Many cultures have a unique way of accepting the leap from childhood to a manhood. These customs might be extremely different in each culture, but they share a common thread. The Jewish, Ibo and Mayan cultures are examples of variant societies that share the common notion that this stage should be marked in a distinctive way. In the Jewish religion, boys are not obligated to observe the commandments, although they are encouraged …showed first 75 words of 1111 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1111 total…did the Jewish boys. The Jewish, Ibo and Mayan cultures all believe, even though committed in different ways, that this transitional stage in a boys life should be distinguished by certain events. Although the cultures' practices and customs are quite different, the unifying theme is marking the passage to adulthood in a ritualistic prescribed manner. This allows all members of the societies involved to recognize this important passage: becoming an adult member of their group.