Rites of Passage
Day two hundred eighty/365. Most cultures seem to have "rites of passage." They're rituals or celebrations acknowledging a transition from one stage of life to another. A child moving into adulthood, in the eyes of the community, is often marked by ceremony. Things that might not quickly come to mind, like a bachelor party or a retirement celebration, make it "official" that a person's life, marked by time, has changed.
Never before have I lived in an area in which "Sweet Sixteen" parties hold so much importance. Girls I talk to roll their eyes and tell me they're doing it to please parents, but I can tell the party usually holds meaning for them, as well. "Sweet Sixteen" parties range widely, from expensive galas, costing as much as a wedding, to simple get-togethers like this one, held in a church hall.
I think most rites of passage are healthy. They provide closure and new context for an individual and those who love her or him, as transition occurs. I hope future generations continue to honor such rituals, even as they make them more appropriate (for example, more respectful of women, as in a bachelor party), and more sensible for their time.