Crossroads: The Quest for Contemporary Rites of Passage

Front Cover
Louise Carus Mahdi, Nancy Geyer Christopher, Michael Meade
Open Court Publishing, 1996 - Family & Relationships - 452 pages

Crossroads is a rich, multidisciplinary collection of contemporary thought on rites of passage from leading psychologists, anthropologists, social and religious leaders, medical professionals, educators, and parents. Contributions include personal first-hand accounts of rites of passage that hold a profound meaning for the authors, practical information about contemporary professional work by individuals and organizations working with youth in transition, inspiring myths and stories from many cultures, and meditations on life transitions in relation to the problems we face today, such as the epidemics of violence and teen pregnancy.

"In no uncertain terms, Crossroads opens our eyes to our responsibility to the adolescents who are now growing up without knowledge of the spiritual roots in their culture. Many of the writers have first-hand experience and first-rate ideas of how to transform this cultural crisis. Piercing insight with realistic hope!" -Marion Woodman author of The Ravaged Bridegroom

"Crossroads serves as a guide book to exploring all new terrains through the development of fascinating new programs in education. These new programs are designed by devoted elders to instruct and help bridge the gap . . . . Just as Black Elk, shaman of the Ogalala Sioux tribe, had a vision for the survival of his people, so too do the contributors of Crossroads." -Ronnie Landau The Round Table Review
 

Contents

PART FIVE INDIVIDUAL RITES OF PASSAGE 305
35
7
53
8
63
CommunityBased Solutions
83
11
91
12
99
13
109
Gang Rites and Rituals of Initiation
115
Up With People
221
Coming of Age at
231
28
265
Personal Shields
271
31
287
Dancing Just as Fast as I
293
Growing Up in Guatemala
327
Father and Son in Egypt
335

Service As a Rite of Passage
125
John R McKernan
133
Education and the World of Work
141
An Experiential Rite of Passage
147
19
167
20
185
21
199
22
213
A Note on the Vision Quest
355
What Parents Can
381
Higher Education and Rites of Passage in America
399
Crucibles for Change
415
List of Leaders and Organizations
423
125
445
Copyright

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