Rites of Passage, was actually rather sad to me. It confuses and sort of infuriates me that from such a young age young boys are taught that their self worth is how strongly they can defend themselves or hurt another. "I could beat you up." "We could easily kill a two year old,". Statements made so light hearted and yet so serious is sort of what brain washes young boys, making them beileve war and the murder that coencides with war is not only ok but essential to some survival. I think that In Rites of Passage and Advice to my Sons, there are underlying messages about the military. Rites concludes with "We could easily kill a two year old, he says in his clear voice. The other men agree, they relax and get down to playing war, celebrating my son's life." Playing war as a way of celebrating life, kind of an oxymoron.