Puberty rites are widespread in traditional cultures and hence
probably offer some general adaptive advantages. Elucidating the
general features and functions of puberty rites may shed light on
the basic nature of human adolescence itself. It is suggested that
puberty rites function generally to provide intensive instruction in
adult sex roles, instill cultural loyalty, regulate and publicize the
attainment of adult status, and enhance the mate value of the
initiate. These functional explanations are consistent with evolu
tionary theory and with data on pubertal changes and their func
tions, and with cross-cultural and cross-species behavioral data.
That is, puberty rites may conspire with the evolved bodily and
behavioral changes of adolescence to prepare the individual for
adulthood. Moreover, although puberty rites vary widely around the
world, they may possess certain common features to accomplish
these functions. Preliminary functional explanations of these modal
features are proposed and evaluated.
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