Paoli High School

Paoli, Oklahoma
Teacher: Melinda Alfred

 

Is It Time For Local Communities To Initiate

A Rite of Passage For American Youth?

by Adam Southerland

12th grade

 

 

Should a community initiate a rite of passage for the younger generation? This is a highly controversial issue for everyone, but is it time for such an issue? Is it time for communities to issue a rite of passage for our children? This issue has gone on long enough, it has been kept silent, but it has been there. People are becoming afraid of youth and yet, aren't willing to do anything about it.  If the community issued a rite of passage would it cure this fear, or make it even worse?  If we try this, what will happen, what are the out comes, especially if we do nothing?

 

If the community moderates a rite of passage what would be the outcomes?  The most possible outcome would be Communism, meaning that only a few or one decide what is to be done for everyone else.  This is how it will turn out, even if it does start with people who care and listen to the needs of the community. A few years down the line it will end up with people trying to take the position just for the power, and not the needs of the

youth! 

 

This is where Communism begins to show itself, but people are slow to realize things of such magnitude. By the time they realize what has happened, it will be far to late. Then, the only thing that will happen will be suffering, pain, and even death. Then again, it may just be the best thing that ever could happen to our nation. What if I'm right about Communism what will happen then ?

 

Techniqually the government has already issued a 'Rite of Passage' but it also contradicts itself.  There are laws which say you can not smoke until you can make decisions for yourself, for this law, it is 18 years of age. For drinking it is 21, and being drafted to the army is even 18 years of age. Is there anything wrong with this picture?  If you’re able to die for your country shouldn't you be able to make decisions such as drinking?  If not how could you choose to defend your country?  The government shouldn't be a social thing, it should be a backbone so that social events and such are able to take place. The government wasn't meant to control us with decision making, that’s our parents’ job.  What do our parents teach us?

 

How important are parents to the children?  It takes two parents who love their child in order for the child to be successful (there are a few exemptions from this.) Parents, in most cases, are the childrens idols or role models. Children learn literally everything from their parents and they learn by watching. What happens when you take away one parent? Is this not like dividing the development of the child in half?  Where do you suppose the children will gain the rest of their knowledge at then?  It doesn’t look good. 

 

Look at all the negative influences out there; gangs, music and especially television are examples of this.  Also, think what will happen if the child has no parents, what will happen then?

 

Could others outside the family possibly be able to choose what is best for a [your] child?  Being human means to be different in everyway possible therefore if another tried to raise a child it would be difficult and usually inefficient because this other person couldn't be on the same level as the child--ever.  One person may be ready to become an adult at age 17, while another at the age of 20.  At school, it is assumed everyone is at the same level, in some cases this is true, however, not in most cases. Some advance faster with concepts while another accelerates with sports. This proves we are all different. School would be the most logical move if you allowed someone else to monitor your child’s' rite of passage.  This isn't a good choice at all, especially in large schools where each class has a thousand students or so.  How could teachers possibly monitor all of them?

 

I believe that when it comes right down to it, if we try regulate a rite of passage it would be down right dangerous. Our nation isn't doing too well as it is (we are doing better than any other, probably.) If we did make a rite of passage from a community then our nation may very well fall.  What would happen then?  Then a rite of passage might able to survive until you’re 16 or 20.  Our future right doesn't look bad, but if we make hasty decisions it will have enormous consequences. 

 

Answers to Questions.

 

Q1.  Be all that you can without criticism.

 

Q2. All of these are still a problem, to some extent.

 

Q3. Yes = act of developing intellectual and moral faculties.

 

Q4. Four

 

Q5. Only a little

 

Q6.      1.Kids go home to smoke at lunch.

            2.Diping during class w/o teachers knowing.

            3.Drugs get passed around school hallways.

 

Q7. To become a hermit until people come to their senses.

 

Q8. No, you would have people experience with both men/women.

 

Q9. Schools allow you to talk and learn more of the world.

 

Q10. It would help because Teachers can't do everything.