Rites of passage

In many different cultures rites of passages are preformed during a time of which one enters puberty. However each ceremony differs from another in even the smallest detail. In more ancient societies where they still keep their old culture. Larger ceremonies would occur. On the other hand in more modern societies smaller "ceremonies" with family or friends happen more often. The most common rites of passage that I see in my society is the 19th birthday celebration. Once someone turns 18 they seem to be a "adult" and people give gift and go partying. It has always seemed to me that everyone wants to turn 18 to get more freedom and right, but they never want to be older than 18 either. I myself am looking forward to the day I turn 18. For most people when they 18 they spend more time with friends than family. The friends would give gift that symbolize adulthood. Thing such as razor blades for guys, a nice dress for girls, and sometimes in America a car. With the phrase rites of passage, each word means something important. Rites means ceremony or ritual. Of means to or towards. And finally passage means the way or new direction. So usually rites of passage are about a new turning point in life in most chases adulthood.