NancyLebovitz comments on A Rational Education - Less Wrong

12 Post author: wedrifid 23 June 2010 05:48AM

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Comment author: NancyLebovitz 25 June 2010 10:35:36PM 1 point [-]

It seems to be common for boys to feel that they have to earn the right to consider themselves men, but I don't know how universal it is.

Comment author: wedrifid 26 June 2010 07:03:22AM *  1 point [-]

On a related note some psychological theorists suggest that not having a ritual process (with a significant element of 'trial by ordeal') to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood fundamentally impairs the psychological maturity of many males in western civilisation. Such ceremonies are nearly ubiquitous across tribal cultures.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 26 June 2010 12:20:43PM 0 points [-]

I've heard it. However, how common are such ceremonies in non-tribal cultures?

Alternate hypothesis: having responsibility delayed for years beyond what's normal causes lack of psychological maturity. Or, maybe there isn't less maturity, maybe there's just more complaining about the lack of it.

Also, I was hoping to hear from from some of the men here about whether they personally feel this need to be definitively accepted as men.

Comment author: MichaelBishop 26 June 2010 09:59:09PM 0 points [-]

I don't think we should push too hard on the dichotomy of boy vs. man. I would emphasize that there is individual variation in how well men they can perform/achieve masculinity in their sub-culture. Women face the issue as well.