Rites and rituals are based on the human needs for acceptance, ceremony, and recognition and have been essential in the past as a way to pass the culture's values from one generation to the next. Graduation, a driver's license, and marriage are examples of rites of passage in our culture. However, a growing number of our nation's youth and their families no longer have the time or the inclination to take part in social valuable rituals. As a result, many positive rituals of transition have become blurred or replaced with antisocial variations such as participation in bullying, hazing, cults, gangs, and substance abuse. In addition, many adults have lost interest in giving children the guidance and supervision they need. Thus, youth-serving agencies need to develop partnerships with the schools, parents, and the community to recognize publicly the achievements that occur during childhood. Such recognition is particularly important for children who may feel trapped in their economic or social status. Therefore, schools concerned with the safety and well-being of their students should actively support and promote a positive, student-based rite-of-passage process. Schools that take the lead in this process and provide age-appropriate and responsible programs will successfully compete with antisocial activities for the time and interest of children. 4 references.