Read and provide follow-up responses to classmates’ initial answers or responses that integrate course theories with a practical application of the subject, offering a personal observation or experience, or referencing real-world examples, current events,
Michelle_Michy
20181106012000pcn_535_week_one_dq_2_peer_review.docxGeorge Chapman
2 posts
Re: Topic 1 DQ 2
Human beings have a natural desire to achieve the next level. Youths in our culture want to go through a rite of passage to adulthood. In some cultures, substances are used in the rite of passage ceremonies. It is similar to substance use in today’s youth that are attempting to experiment into adulthood. The difference is that it is not monitored, and they usually do not have adult or cultural support to ingest these substances. The Native American Church uses peyote as a sacrament in their prayer services (Goldsmith, 2013). This practice is legal and widely accepted among church goers. However, a person using peyote for personal reasons is frowned upon by most of society.
I am probably in the minority of this, but I do not have an issue with these religious practices. They are monitored and have a lengthy safety history. I see the connection between a drug-free perspective and a rite of passage ceremony. However, I do not believe that most American youths compare their experimentation to a religious ceremony. I believe the answer for today’s youth is education from a knowledgeable source, transparency, non-incarceration consequences, and better substance use disorder treatment.
References
Goldsmith, N. M. (2013, Jan 17). Rites of Passage, Ritual, and Self-Medication. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychedelic-healing/201301/rites-passage-ritual-and-self-medication
My response:
3 posts
Re: Topic 1 DQ 2
Dorinda Schwartz
1. when americans use drink or drugs as a rite of passage into adulthood, how does this differe from use of consciousness altering drugs during rites of passage in traditional and or tribal societies.
In giving youth or adolescents alcohol or drugs as a way of rite of paasage in American society, it is looked upon as being an illegal act in todays society due to youth are looked at as protected by the adults in our communities. Youth in tribes follow a tradition in ceramonies called a rite of passage going from adolescent into adult hood. In many times these youth are given a powerful hallucinogenic that can harm them in a variety of ways going into adult hood if they live throught the ceremonial exooerience (Chen, L. (n.d.) 2006).
2. How can we reconcile a drug free perspective for American youth with acceprtance of rite of passage in tribal and traditional societies?
By educating the different cultures and population on substance abuse in young adults and teaching members of society how to go from youth into adult hood without use of alcohol and drugs that may become addicting, and to start setting good examples as adults with youth and knowing what is acceptable in society. When our youth grow up seeing what it takes to be a man or real women in society, they should be shown the positives in becoming an adult and be given the experience without alcohol or drugs to alter their minds (Chen, L. (n.d.) 2006).
Reference
Chen, L. (n.d.) (2006). Tribal Aisa: Ceremonies, rituals, and dress. LIBRARY JOURNAL., 129 (15), 54-55.
My response:
2 posts
Re: Topic 1 DQ 2
Rites of passage are a normal part of life as a person transitions from childhood into adulthood. Marking important life transitions, three phases characterizing the rite of passage are separation, transition, and reincorporation (Blumenkrantz & Goldstein, 2014). The lack of clearly established rites of passage in America is due in part to the vagueness about when one actually becomes an adult. Adult privileges such as the right to vote or drink are given on arbitrary birthdays, more than related to a person’s maturity or competency. In an attempt to reach adulthood, adolescents often experiment with behaviors that they perceive as adult behaviors. Frequently health compromising behaviors such as binge drinking, drug use, or inappropriate sexual relations are used as initiation into adulthood (Blumenkrantz & Goldstein, 2014).
Many traditional or tribal societies incorporate consciousness altering drugs during their rites of passage. One example is the use of peyote by Native Americans. Another example is the “khomba,” or South African Tsonga girls’ initiation rites, passing from childhood to womanhood. This is a series of structured fertility rites including dance, song, drumming, and drug-ingestion. There is controlled use of Datura fastuosa, a hallucinogenic subspontaneous plant of the Solanaceae family. The roots are ground and brewed into a thick tea, which produce hallucinations and disorientation. In addition to representing a culture-specific tradition, this ritual has direction and guidance, and is also a mechanism for reinforcing the prestige, power, and authority of the tribal elders who control the drug-use (Johnston, 1977).
When American adolescents use drugs for their self- imposed rite of passage, there is no guidance, or elders overseeing and approving this process. American youths need to understand that alcohol and drug use is not a rite of passage to adulthood. They need to be taught the differences for drug use in tribal and traditional societies. American youth need to understand that the basic elements of a rite of passage in other cultures consists of a separation from society, preparation from an elder, a transition from childhood to adulthood, and being welcomed back into society acknowledging the change of status (Blumenkrantz & Goldstein, 2014). We can reconcile a drug-free perspective for American youth and still accept the use of drugs in tribal society because they are used specifically for these ceremonies which are spiritual and cultural rituals, and not just to get high or feel socially accepted by peers.
Blumenkrantz, D. G., & Goldstein, M. B. (2014). Seeing college as a rite of passage: What might be possible. New Directions for Higher Education, (166), 85-94. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/he.20098
Johnston, T.F. (1977). Drugs, rituals and altered states of consciousness. Retrieved from www.samorini.it/doc1/alt_aut/ek/johnston.pdf
