S Pl0tz #8 A Short Response To Joseph Campbell

I have begun reading the published version of Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyer's PBS conversation of "The Power of Myth." This book has drawn me in immediately. One small section, on page nine, Campbell talks about mythology in growing up. 

He writes,  "When I was a kid, we wore short trousers, you know, knee pants. And then there was a great moment when you put on long pants. Boy's now don't get that. I see even five-year-olds walking around with long trousers. When are they going to know they're now men and must put aside childish things?" 

Being they type of kid who he was talking about I would like to respond to his notion. First off, I think it is really cool that he grew up like that. And hearing this is how people used to be, I do understand the origin of "putting on the pants" metaphors more clearly. But even though we don't have that sort of ritual anymore I do think we have ones that have trumped this one (at least for us, again I'm not saying this ritual is bad). A series of smaller rituals have replaced bigger ones such as what Campbell speaks of. For instance loosing the training wheels on a bicycle is a huge step in growing up. Another one is excelling in leagues in sports such as baseball and soccer. I would have to say my biggest growing up rituals occurred when I was allowed to enter into something the "older kids" participated in. For instance, when I first got a paintball gun in high school I felt like I was holding my first real weapon. No longer was I shooting something that shot pieces of soft plastic and nurf darts, but I was shooting pressurized little balls that left serious markings on ones skin when shot. With the gun came a huge responsibility. I had to be aware of my paintball gun's condition all the time, maintain it (they can mess up very easily), and handling it with extreme care, always being aware of its condition as it was in my hands.

When it comes to "truly growing up" I am glad there is no big ritual for that anymore. Honestly, even as I get older and take on more responsibilities, I pray I never loose the aspects of bring young. Part of growing up is learning and having adventures, failing and getting up to run again. To think that I would ever be done with that seems disappointing. I would much rather just keep growing up until death. Why should it end?