This is a topic that is often of concern to Pagan parents. When is your child old enough to make his/her own decisions about religious path? Some say that when a child reaches puberty, they should be given the freedom to begin exploring personal religion. Others say that a child of this age still needs a great amount of religious direction and that s/he is not yet capable of making such a weighty decision. Some say that a young person of this age is eligible for coven membership if s/he chooses. Others vehemently disagree, saying that one shouldn't be admitted to a coven until the age of 18.
As you can see from these two issues alone, there is divergent thought for every aspect of coming of age. Many of our thoughts on this topic are based on our own personal experience. If I feel I was very mature at 13, I may be likely to let my (hypothetical) 13 year old daughter make her own decisions about religion. However, if I feel that, at 13, I had no real idea what I wanted out of something as complex and personal as religion, I might encourage her to study more about Paganism for the next few years.
There are more topics related to coming of age than just religion. Questions of dating (and increased sexuality), personal choices, and increased independence all get brought to the fore as a young man or woman feels that s/he is becoming an adult. It can be a nervous and frustrating and frightening time for parent and emerging adult alike.
Obviously, nobody can dictate how your family should handle this exciting new time of your life, but by sharing our own thoughts/opinions/ideas we may find that we help resolve some other beleaguered parents' problems. So...what are your thoughts? When does a child come of age in modern society? Has that time changed in the past few hundred years? How do you feel about this change (or lack thereof)? What rights does a young Pagan have as s/he passes this life-marker? What rights do the parents need to keep? What can parents do to help this (sometimes painful) transition?
Opinion -- Laura