Marriage

• Cultures around the world hold rites, rituals and ceremonies for men and women to be married. White dresses traditionally symbolize the virginity and purity of the bride. Wedding rings unite the couple in a symbol of eternal love. Teachers of culture might pose the question, "Why is marriage important the world over, and why is it reserved exclusively for a partnership of one man and one woman?" Also, does the white dress in modern times still symbolize virginity, or does it symbolize fidelity?
  
  

Birthdays

• Around the world, different cultures celebrate key birthdays with various degrees of emphasis. In traditional Jewish culture, a boy or girl at 13 years old is considered a young adult, and the bar mitzvah for boys and bat mitzvah for girls celebrates their coming of age. In Mexican and other Latin American societies, 15-year-old girls celebrate "quinceanera." In the United States, girls have a "sweet sixteen" party for their 16th birthday, although it is a relatively modest affair. Despite having "come of age," however, 16-year-olds are still legally considered children. Teachers can challenge students to consider whether the age for "coming of age" is appropriate or whether it should be adjusted to reflect evolving views of adulthood.
  
  

Graduation

• Schools have strict rituals they observe on graduation day. Graduates where robes in the school colors. The school song plays over a public address system. Selected students such as the valedictorian and salutatorian -- the first- and second-ranking students academically -- give speeches to their graduating classmates. A guest speaker or the principal addresses the graduating class. At a key moment, everyone moves his tassel from one side to the other to mark the graduation of the class. Teachers of world cultures might ask, "How do graduation traditions differ around the world, and what do those differences say about how various cultures view education?" Or, "How much importance should be given to individual accolades during graduation ceremonies?"
  
  

Burial or Cremation

• Funerals are somber times when families and friends come together to say farewell and give support to surviving members of the decedent's family. Some cultures have a funeral preceded by a time of mourning and visitation. The body is embalmed and presented in its best possible light before burial. A waterproof coffin delays decomposition of the corpse. Flowers and other decorations adorn the coffin, which is waterproof to delay decomposition. In traditions that prefer cremation, the ashes of the deceased are turned over to the family to either save in an urn or spread at a desired location. Religion plays a role in the decision between cremation and burial. Teachers of traditions and culture ask students what other factors, both spiritual and practical, contribute to the choice between burial and cremation.