Manhood
For the film, see Manhood (film)Manhood is the period in a male's life when he has left behind the innocence of
childhood. It is during this period that the peak of a man's lifetime is reached. Throughout history, especially in the ancient cultures, boys would undergo many different, sometimes dangerous,
ceremonies or
sacrifices in order to be recognized as
adult in their own right. This rite of passage from childhood to adulthood was very important to these emerging members of
society, and many factors of their adult life would sometimes have been affected by this one transitional period of a male person's life.
Manhood is also a
euphemism for
penis, as well as a synonym for
masculinity.
Within
Judaism there is the well-known ceremony of
Bar Mitzvah for a boy when he turns thirteen years old and becomes recognized as a man. Judaism recognizes that this age coincides with
puberty, which in past times made them eligible for
marriage.
*
masculinity*
coming of age*
womanhood*
femininity*
Baka Pygmies Manhood with the ceremonies of the Pygmies' rite of initiation
