Coming of Age in Three Cultures - Sweet 16, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Quinceanera

Many countries have a long tradition of celebrating the time when a child becomes an adult. In America, "sweet sixteen" parties are a tradition that is thought to have originated from two main facts: at sixteen years of age, most states will allow a person to drive un-chaperoned and many states consider sixteen to be the age of consent. In fact, pop music and movies have sensationalized this life-changing birthday (History, 2009). However, because the United States is rich in ethnic diversity, it is likely that this tradition has roots derived from other countries that have both cultural and religious significance.

Latino Customs

The tradition of Quinceanera, or Quinceanero among Puerto Ricans, literally means "15 years." It is the celebration of a young woman's 15th birthday (Schaefer, 2008). On the surface, the celebration almost reminds one of a miniature wedding without a groom The Quinceanera dresses in a ball gown, which is traditionally white, often accompanied by a small crown or coronet. The celebration begins with a religious ceremony, where the Quinceanera has a "court" who dress in gowns and tuxedos. Guests are given tokens and a reception follows the ceremony, where toasts or "brindis" are given with champagne glasses to the Quinceanera (Quinceanera, 2009).

However, the similarities of a wedding ceremony are only on the surface of the event. One of the traditions of the Quinceanera celebration is the "shoe ceremony." During the beginning of the celebration, the guest of honor wears flat heels. At the onset of the shoe ceremony, the father of the guest of honor appears bearing high heeled shoes on a pillow and places them on her feet, symbolizing the childhood left behind for young womanhood (Quinceanera, 2009).

Another ceremony is the doll ceremony. This "last doll" is decorated with ribbons and tokens which are handed out to guests as they leave the celebration. It is also symbolic of leaving childhood behind, as this will be the guest of honor's "last doll" (Quinceanera, 2009).

Bar mitzvahs and Bat mitzvahs

A Bar mitzvah is also a religious ceremony, but has a tradition that is less light-hearted than that of the Quinceanera and more of a step to responsibility. Unlike Quinceanera celebrations, which tend to center around girls only, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs include both sexes.

Bar mitzvah literally translates into "son of the commandment. A Bat mitzvah is the female counterpoint of the Bar mitzvah. These rites of passage are celebrated on a boy's thirteenth birthday or on a girl's twelfth birthday to commemorate the child's passage into young adulthood. Children automatically become a bar or bat mitzvah on their respective birthdays, whether there is a celebration or ceremony or not.

The history of the ceremony begins in the Jewish law that states "a child is not obligated to serve the commandments, although they should be encouraged to" (Bar Mitzvah, 2009). The ceremony marks the new young adult's obligations and abilities to participate in religious services, marry, be bound to contracts and be responsible for their own actions (Bar Mitzvah, 2009). The Bar/Bat Mitzvah reception is also very similar to that of a wedding reception.

Despite the somber overtones, modern Jews tend to make the ceremony more of a party than was traditional. This is a mild example of Judaization (Bar Mitzvah, 2009).

Relating the Concepts

While "sweet sixteen" parties might be pale echoes of the tradition-rich and life-changing ceremonies of the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and the Quinceanera, it is likely that this American tradition found its roots in ceremonies such as these. The biggest difference between these parties is that the "sweet sixteen" has no religious or responsibility significance as do the other two.

Conclusion

Traditions such as the Bar mitzvah and Quinceanera are a way that immigrants can find a solution to the ethnicity paradox and maintain ties to their roots while assimilating into the mainstream of culture around them. It is an effective way to hang onto one's ethnic identity through celebration and tradition. These ceremonies can also serve as inspiration to those outside of the respective cultures to create and build new celebrations.

References:
Adolescence: puberty, preteens, teenagers, emerging adults, psychology of adolescence, social culture, legal issues. (2009). Cambridge encyclopedia volume 3. Retrieved on July 16, 2009 from http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/611/adolescence.html

Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation. (2009). Judaism 101. Retrieved on July 16, 2009 from http://www.jewfaq.org/barmitz.htm

History of the sweet 16. (2009). Lovetoknow.com. Retrieved on July 16, 2009 from http://party.lovetoknow.com/Sweet_16_Parties

Schaefer, R. (2008). Racial and Ethnic Groups. 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Quinceanera Tradition. (2009). Quinceanera Boutique. Retrieved on July 16, 2009 from http://www.quinceanera-boutique.com/quinceaneratradition.htm