Final answer:
Formalized rites of passage are integral cultural ceremonies that mark the significant transition from adolescence to adulthood. These consist of the stages of separation, transition, and incorporation, showing a change in social status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formalized rites of passage in various cultures symbolize the belief that the transition from adolescence into adulthood is a significant social transformation. These rites often include a set of rituals that signify the individual's change in status within their community. The process of rites of passage was first identified by anthropologist Arnold van Gennep and involves three stages: separation, transition (liminality), and incorporation.
In the separation stage, individuals are removed from their everyday social context. During the transition phase, which involves ambiguity of status and is often associated with instruction, individuals undergo experiences that prepare them for their new roles. In the incorporation phase, which can last from months to years, individuals are reintroduced to society with a new status, complete with rights, privileges, and often new symbols such as clothing or names that signify their adulthood.
Rites of passage are not exclusively religious; secular examples include graduations or the quinceañera. Whether religious or secular, these rites serve to bond individuals to their community and mark life cycle changes.