Rites of passage are checkpoints that a child reaches on their journey to adulthood, representing the blending of physical maturation with cultural rituals, beliefs, and practices. Rites of passage include those that are educational, such as passing a grade level or acquiring new knowledge; developmental, such as the changes of puberty; and social/cultural, such as the acquisition of new skills and responsibilities. As evident from the material on our site, the path along which a child travels to adulthood is dependent on a variety of factors, including gender, social class, family situation, regional economy, and education.