Women's Rites of Passage grew out of Abigail Brenner s desire to answer some fundamental questions about the role of rites of passage in contemporary women s lives. Relying on a research study involving over 50 women, Brenner shows how women today understand the need to take responsibility for their lives and for directing their own paths, and are beginning to do so by creating their own very personal rites of passage.

Covers rituals for women who are interested in a feminist spiritual path, following the woman's life cycle from puberty to death.

Information on the physical, social, emotional, and cultural development of young black females.

It's time for a childbirth revolution.The modern approach to maternity care fails women, families and care providers with outdated practices that centre the needs of institutions rather than individuals.In this book, Rachel Reed weaves history, science and research with the experiences of women and care providers to create a holistic, evidence-based framework for understanding birth.Reclaiming childbirth as a rite of passage requires us to recognise that mothers own the power and expertise when it comes to birthing their babies.Whether you are a parent, care provider or educator, this book will transform how you think and feel about childbirth.

Her Rite of Passage presents a complete curriculum that shows you what to do to design and carry out a successful African-centered rites program from start to finish. This guidebook will help you: understand the rites of passage process, incorporate African-centered rituals and interactive activities into your program, develop a better understanding of the social and cultural orientation of African-American girls, facilitate weekly rap sessions and plan and organize the initiation retreat and crossover ceremony.

Nine Passages reveals, through ceremonies for women and girls, how the evolving crossroads of life may meet a Soul's longing and a woman's spiritual needs . As change comes through each human being, shaped as much by seasons and winds as by events and relations, Rites of Passage ceremonies are a human right, rituals to claim maturity and inspiration to dream a new dream. In Nine Passages for Women and Girls, author Gail Burkett uses her mentor/teacher voice, gently guiding you to uncover your gifts and find ways to offer those gifts back to the Earth and her peoples. Girls becoming women and women remember our girl-selves, both seek to explore the shine of individuality and feel belonging. Women need to be seen; all of the ceremonies for Rites of Passage follow concentric rings of relationship from a small group, to a larger Circle, nestled inside of a Village. Eventually the whole community needs to be seen through these ceremonies for Rites of Passage to become a powerful change agent in our lives. Nine Passages for Women and Girls is an uplifting and guided journey through life. From Birth to Death, environments and events shape us but the question lingers, is this who we are born to be? Ceremonies and Stories of Transformation as the second half of each Passage, describing how women and girls have used ceremony to find the compass of their true selves.

Why do so many American women allow themselves to become enmeshed in the standardized routines of technocratic childbirth--routines that can be insensitive, unnecessary, and even unhealthy? Anthropologist Robbie Davis-Floyd first addressed these questions in the 1992 edition. Her new preface to this 2003 edition of a book that has been read, applauded, and loved by women all over the world, makes it clear that the issues surrounding childbirth remain as controversial as ever.