Why are rituals important throughout the life course?

When ritual is spoken of in Western society, images of cute, charming and sometimes dangerous activities of 'native' societies tend to be conjured up into the mind. Television seems to be full of ceremonies which, at best, tend to be thought of as quaint, at worst, acted out for the tourist industry. Religious belief is on the decline in Western society and this also contributes to the general outlook on rituals and rites. Western industrial …

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