Critical Analysis

Sydney Dever

Jessica Hutchman

Lang 120-004

10 October 2013

Critical Analysis Essay: Risk Taking and Rites of Passage

            During the adolescent stage of life, seeking different rites of passage is important to an individual’s developing mind. Teens seek ways to explore, learn and mature as they transition through this stage of their life. However, this can be done through negative or positive endeavors depending on the individual and what a rite of passage means to them. In the article “Risk Taking and Rites of Passage,” the authors Scott Larson and Lloyd Martin analyze different types of liminalities and rituals taken on by adolescents and whether or not they may be beneficial to the individual.

            Larson and Martin begin the article by stating that in every culture transition through childhood to adulthood involves rituals of initiation or risk taking to mark this developmental stage (Larson & Martin 38). They compare the way modern youth seek their rites of passage to traditional historic or religious rituals and ceremonies. The introduction of this piece points out specific ceremonies practiced regularly by different cultures and religions that signify the shift from childhood to adulthood. The authors do not clearly state the thesis, but it is implied as they transition from explaining common traditional ceremonies to how teens in our modern society seek their own rituals of initiation. The thesis that the authors imply is that positive liminal experiences are key to youth development. These journeys aim should be to “create belonging, allow participants to master skills, and give opportunity for [teens] to exercise independent choices, and grant the fulfilling experience of acting generously” (Larson & Martin 39). Larson and Martin go over a few key points in the article to support their thesis.

 To show the difference in societal values, Larson and Martin compare modern rituals to a traditional ceremony that is often practiced by Latina girls called a Quinceanera. This celebration represents the transition of childhood to adulthood where they are expected to take on many different adult responsibilities; whereas in modern society, the authors argue that “most teenage girls lack any kind of modeling of what is passed from being a girl to a woman” (Larson & Martin 38). The authors believe that because there are not many significant events that mark the transition, most teens are left to find that on their own. Next, the authors discuss the importance of taking on a journey and learning from it, as well as being able to share one’s interesting experiences to their community afterwards. Another main point included in this article is how a young adult uses his or her own unique ritual to help further their identity, and also how professionalized liminalities, such as youth camps, do not necessarily learn skills or gain experience that will help them progress within their own personal communities.

            Within this article, the main points that Larson and Martin use to outline their thesis, are supported by examples of personal anecdotes, stories of modern day youth, and an external resource of a study done by an anthropologist while visiting an African tribe. The authors draw conclusions from different pieces of evidence in order to prove ideas that back up their overall thesis. For example, when explaining artificial rites of passage, the authors provide an example of a sixteen-year-old girl who decides to celebrate her birthday by drinking a bottle of vodka with her friend, which her mother allowed. Next, the author argues that “when positive rites of passage are poorly mediated by adults, or not mediated at all by the adult community, teens are forced to construct their own rituals” which the authors believe often involve unhealthy risk taking such as drug use, sexual adventures, among other risky behaviors (Larson, Martin 38). These different types of negative liminalites that teenagers create among their peers do not ultimately signify positive benchmarks that will transition them into adulthood, which the authors suggested after providing the specific example.

            Scott Larson, one of the authors of this article, is the president of a faith-based organization that works with juvenile offenders, in order to provide them with direction and support during their developmental stages. It is apparent that the background of this author takes a big role in influencing this article. Larson had lots of experience observing adolescents who had trouble finding ways to mature during this critical stage in life, and was able to recognize behaviors such as unhealthy risk-taking and exploration as they begin to mature. From watching teens follow this path, Larson most likely aided in sculpting the thesis of this article by realizing that growing teens need more positive guidance to help them transition. In addition to Larson’s career background, Lloyd Martin is the coordinator for a network of practitioner educators in youth development. Similarly, his experience adds more information on the adolescent developing mind and how young adults seek different ways to mature. Martin also shares a personal anecdote in the article, showing that during his youth, he was involved in the same risk taking behaviors. “Early liminal experiences for me involved a first plane ride on my own as a twelve-year-old; at about the same age, smoking cigarettes with my friends…as we were breaking the rules of childhood” (Larson & Martin 38). Here, Martin uses his personal experiences to provide additional evidence to support his thesis that youth often seek badges of maturity, whether positive or negative.

“Risk Taking and Rites of Passage” is an article that comes from a journal called Reclaiming Children and Youth, which includes information over childhood and youth development. Based on this journal, the implied audience may be parents, teachers, or other authoritative figures that play a role in an adolescent’s life. The journal’s main focus is to provide different strategies and solutions for authoritative figures that need help with the young adults in their lives. The assumed readers of this article most likely benefit by gaining information on the behaviors of modern teens, and how they can improve their transition into adulthood. In the conclusion of this article, the authors suggest “creating opportunities for youth to experience belonging, mastery of skills, making independent choices, and acting with generosity,” which shows that this journal aims to provide solutions for at-risk teens (Larson & Martin 40). This particular group of readers may be targeted when the authors mention the reasons why they believe young adults seek risky behaviors and how it could possibly be counteracted. Being given contemporary examples, it is obvious that the article was published within the past few years. The authors are writing during this time period, based upon the personal anecdotes they provide. They share that they followed similar behaviors as the modern examples they had presented, which are still relevant to society today.

            The tone of this article appears to be informative, while suggesting how rites of passage from childhood to adulthood should be based upon more positive, beneficial experiences. The authors maintain an academic tone for parts, but also show a personal side when sharing personal experiences. The authors’ passion is also shown when they express that there should be something done about the topic of teens getting involved in risky behaviors as a rite of passage.  They suggest that “rather than condemning these behaviors, perhaps we should focus on meeting the needs that drive them,” showing their opinion on the topic (Larson & Martin 40). They are critical about the different ways teenagers seek maturation by discussing the different outcomes of each way. It is overall perceivable that the authors believe adolescents should be taught better ways to mark their transition to adulthood.

            This article is based on a sociological field of study, because the authors study and draw conclusions from this aspect of a teenager’s life. They begin by giving common traditions and stating the benefits of those traditions, and go on the compare those to alternative, modern day ritualistic behaviors. Larson and Martin also analyze certain behaviors of teens when they present different ways young adults seek rites of passage, which is a sociological study.

As the article concludes, the authors return to their main thesis, which they efficiently support throughout the piece. As well as revisiting the overall thesis, the authors show their own opinion on the topic and explain why and how people should go about trying to help the problem that has been presented. The authors use their conclusion as a way to tell how they feel about the topic, and what they believe should be done about it. Overall, the Larson and Martin get their point across about whether certain rites of passage for teens may be beneficial or not when transitioning to adulthood, and they explain their reasoning through various examples.