A Coming-of-Age Ritual for Young Teens

In this Ed. Magazine article (one of a set of 30 “big ideas” for schools), Richard Weissbourd (Harvard Graduate School of Education) suggests that American adolescents would benefit from an ethically-based coming-of-age ritual between the ages of 13 and 16. “With fewer Americans actively religious, fewer youth are participating in meaningful traditions that can build moral commitment and awareness,” says Weissbourd. Some schools have their students complete capstone experiences, but in most cases they lack a substantial ethical component, he says. A more substantive ritual would last a semester or a full year, be guided by an adult from the school or community, and focus on developing empathy, respect for differences, commitment to justice, and preparation for being effective citizens, workers, and family members. Some possible projects:

• Writing a biography of someone in the school from a very different background;
• Creating a video containing interviews with students, custodians, school secretaries, and other adults in the school about what constitutes a just community;
• Developing a board or video game that promotes empathy and responsibility.

The project could culminate in a community ceremony in which students display and/or perform their projects. 

“[T]he stark reality is this,” concludes Weissbourd: “If we want a just society, we need to far more carefully attend in schools to developing students with the skills and commitments to lead just lives.” 

“What’s the Big Idea? Add Ethically-Based Coming-of-Age Ritual” by Richard Weissbourd in Ed. Magazine, Fall 2013 (p. 26), 

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news-impact/2013/09/whats-the-big-idea/

From the Marshall Memo #503