Initiation means the introduction of a young person into any human society by instruction [dt. (hier): Anleitung] about its principles, rules and mysteries. It is a process of coming of age and describes the passage from childhood to maturity. Becoming a member of the adult world is a natural part of human development. Becoming an adult often involves isolation, physical agony [dt. (hier): Qual] and access to distinctive knowledge.
This process influences a person’s morals and values and therefore changes their attitudes and how they will behave in certain situations. It is often a challenge, but also an enrichment to someone’s life. For example, learning from past mistakes will make a person become more confident and independent (“learning by doing”).
An example of a young person who is challenged by daily life and confronted with the process of initiation is Jean Louise (Scout) Finch from the novel "To kill a mockingbird". The Tom Robinson case, in which her father is involved, is a unique incident that occurs in her young life. She has to face aspects of “adult life”, like prejudice and racism. Scout goes through different stages in order to deal with new experiences. For example, she comes to know the unfairness in the Maycomb society, especially in her father’s generation, but also at school.
A significant passage in “To kill a mockingbird” illustrates how Scout learns about empathy [dt. (hier): Einfühlungsvermögen]. In chapter three, Atticus tells her to step in someone else’s skin and walk in it to get to know how a person is feeling. Moreover, Atticus teaches his daughter to fight with her mind and with words, but not with fists. In the novel, Scout develops a sense of equality. She does not believe in other people’s prejudices and rejects them. In addition, she learns how to find compromises and prevent conflict. Scout’s gender struggles are not a central topic in the novel, nevertheless, they mark her initiation process. It is described that she does not want to wear dresses but trousers; she never wants to behave “girlish”.
Different examples of the process of initiation are:
Mit dem Wissen, was sich hinter dem Begriff “Initiation” verbirgt, und diesen komplexen Werdegang nachvollziehbar erklären zu können, kann man gut punkten. Häufig handeln Texte von jungen Erwachsenen, die diesen Prozess der Reifung und Selbstfindung durchleben. Diese Person soll dann häufig mit einer im Unterricht behandelten Person verglichen werden. Oft kann man auch von einer Moral der Geschichte sprechen, die zeigt, was die Person aus einer Situation gelernt hat.
Folgende Fragen können ein roter Faden sein:
Worin genau liegt die Konfliktsituation?
Wie geht der/die Betroffene mit dieser Situation um? Redet er/sie darüber, wenn ja mit wem?
Wie könnte der/die Betroffene mit der Situation (besser) umgehen?