Rites and Responsibilities: A Guide to Growing Up

By Darcy Ottey

Who am I? How do I fit in? What is my purpose? What can I do to make a difference, to address issues like climate change, political turmoil, and social injustice?

These are some burning questions for young people today, who despite challenges and uncertain futures, are at the forefront of cultural transformation. This book is about how rites of passage help young people begin to answer these big questions, while initiating them into healthy meaningful adulthood, channeling their gifts, and helping them find their place in multigenerational movements for change.

Rites of passage are a diverse set of practices fundamental to healthy development. Found in all cultures, they are one of humanity’s most ancient psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural tools. In this book, readers learn what rites of passage can offer in times of turmoil and transition; how these practices came to be stolen, destroyed, or co-opted in most cultural traditions; and how young people can reclaim their own rites of passage into adulthood.

Through real-life stories and quotes that cut across lines of race, class, culture, gender, and more, social science research, and step-by-step exercises, this book gives young people the tools they need create their own initiatory journey, supports adults who never experienced their own initiation, and provides an invaluable resource for anyone helping young people navigate their path to adulthood.

“Darcy returns to the people the medicine of rites of passage in a way that honors the harm that has been done and delivers the hope for a healthier and more just future.” ~ Kruti Parekh, Los Angeles Youth Justice Organizer

“A compelling, comprehensive, and comprehensible guidebook for young people who long for meaning, belonging, and a creative participation in the great work of our time: the slow, visionary work of building just, equitable, and life-enhancing cultures. A lifelong student and innovator of nature-based human development and cultural restoration practices, Darcy is among our best guides enabling younger generations to discover how they, individually and collectively, are uniquely made for these times. ~ Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft and The Journey of Soul Initiation