Shortly after reading this chapter, one day I was at a park reading this book. Off in the distance I saw a couple young boys playing on some of the park statues with their grandfather observing. The older one jumped up straddling atop of the cow statue with a single leap. Right after he succeeded in his attempt, his head shot straight toward his grandfather. “Well done, son!” he exclaimed.
I have seen and experienced this countless times. It is amazing how a youth’s heart is hardwired to seek affirmation from a father figure.
“The ancient societies believe that a boy becomes a man only through ritual and effort–only through the ‘active intervention of the older men.'” (p. 67)
In today’s time, I believe society regards academic education as the standard unit of maturity. In our society a person is expected to attend grade school and complete it at the age of 18. Notice how an individual is considered an “adult” when he reaches this age. It seems to have been established legally. Once 18 years old, you are no longer a minor. You are free to make legal decisions for yourself. If it isn’t education, then maybe it is just age. But a certain arbitrary age or educational status has no bearing on maturity in terms of what Eldredge discusses.