Life Stages: Coming of Age

Traditional ceremonies to mark a youth's transition into adulthood still occur in China.

A traditional rite for girls is the "hair-pinning" ceremony, celebrating adulthood and intended to give young people a sense of social responsibility.

Traditional Ceremonies

Chinese boys generally come of age around 16, while girls come of age at the onset of puberty. Chinese culture customarily celebrated coming of age for high school age boys with a ceremony in which traditionally costumed boys are presented with a hat as a symbol of adulthood in a capping ceremony. The corresponding rite for girls is the "hair-pinning" ceremony. Still occurring in Xi'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi province, these traditions celebrate entering into adulthood, with the ceremonies intended to give young people a sense of social responsibility.

Upheaval

Coming of age marks a time of great emotional upheaval for Chinese boys and girls. Around 30 million teenagers below the age of 17 are afflicted by mental health problems, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health. China’s suicide rate equals three times the global average, with men and women between the ages of 15 to 24 comprising the most affected group. The traditional taboo against the free and open discussion of sex contributes to the psychological problems of teenagers. Many adolescent and teenage girls seek professional help only after getting pregnant or after being infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

Chinese families usually expect children to contribute to the family income around the age of 16 or when they complete their education. However, necessity forces many minors, especially from the rural areas, to seek employment in the bustling factories and workshops of China in order to support their poor families.