Lesson 1: Roles and Group Influences

7 - Rites of Passage and Birth Order

Rites of Passage

The term rites of passage refers to an initiation or a test that a person must pass to gain membership and acceptance in a new role. The basis of such a concept is that roles are very special. One must prove worthy to meet the obligations of the role before he or she is allowed to accept it. It also gives people a stronger sense of belonging to the group if membership is not automatic and one must endure some hardship to reach that goal.

Commonly when people want to join a new club, some form of initiation or welcome is used as well. Rites of passage give us a sense of achievement and a sense of belonging to the group, but they should not become vicious or physically dangerous.

Birth Order

The family unit is very important for socialization that teaches us the roles we need to live successfully in society. Each family is unique for a number of reasons. The number of children in each family and the arrangement of the boy-girl pattern as well as age gaps between children are different. Your place in the family has a great impact on who you are.

Some people believe that each position in the family produces a child with a common pattern of characteristics.

First Born: They are high achievers. They like to do well both academically and athletically. They are responsible and dominant. Parents have very high expectations for these children, which pushes them to do well at all tasks. Therefore, they are conforming and adultoriented.

Middle Children: These children are sometimes labelled the forgotten children because they do not have the special recognition of the first or last born. They are peacekeepers or mediators in the family because they see problems from both the perspective of oldest and youngest. They are outgoing, friendly, and social.

Last Born: They are often cute, charming and special. They can be disorganized and do not like the responsibility of making decisions. They have developed good social skills. They seek more friendships outside the family as older siblings become independent and leave home.

Only Children: They have many characteristics of first-borns, but they do not have patience.