While certain cultures considered children to be adults at a very young age (and some still do), it doesn't quite compute to modern (american) thinking where 18 and 21 are milestones in going from child to adult.
So, I decided that the people in my novel would celebrate two 'coming of age' moments in order to fit my novel and better mesh with American preconceptions. The first when a child turned 15- this would be the initial step into adulthood. The other, when the young adult turned 20 (and maybe had a few kids already!)
But how do I label this second coming? Are there examples of this in other cultures that I can draw from? I'd like to have two separate milestones for my character.
Also, if it helps- most people in my world are married by 20, but it's not uncommon to delay a few years.
Cheers,
Christina
So, I decided that the people in my novel would celebrate two 'coming of age' moments in order to fit my novel and better mesh with American preconceptions. The first when a child turned 15- this would be the initial step into adulthood. The other, when the young adult turned 20 (and maybe had a few kids already!)
But how do I label this second coming? Are there examples of this in other cultures that I can draw from? I'd like to have two separate milestones for my character.
Also, if it helps- most people in my world are married by 20, but it's not uncommon to delay a few years.
Cheers,
Christina