coming-of-age
Reaching young adulthood
Coming-of-age describes the transition from childhood to adulthood, or works depicting that transition.
A coming-of-age novel or film follows a young protagonist through formative experiences—first love, loss of innocence, identity struggles.
The phrase also works as a noun: Her summer abroad was a coming-of-age.
Related to rite of passage but emphasizing gradual development rather than a single ceremony.
Fiction of psychological maturation
- journeyTravel from place to place
- protagonistStory's central figure
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- trialJudicial examination of claims
disillusionment · heartbreak · betrayal · sacrifice · departure · return · wisdom · lesson
Sexual development stage
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
blossoming · transformation · metamorphosis · self-discovery · enlightenment · realization · epiphany · progression
Completing academic requirements formally
- quinceañeraFifteenth birthday celebration
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- votingFormally registering a choice
- licenseFormal grant of permission
eighteen · adulthood · majority · debutante · commencement · walkabout · conscription · emancipation
Person aged thirteen-nineteen
- adolescentPerson in puberty
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- curiosityDesire to learn
naivety · crush · acne · friendship · clique · angst · homework · prom
Distinguishing one from many
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
- selfhoodIndividual identity, personhood
authenticity · introspection · differentiation · agency · self-actualization · independence · empowerment · persona
Formal admission ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
baptism · communion · ordination · scarification · circumcision · tattooing · piercing · fasting
bildungsroman
Fiction of psychological maturation
- journeyTravel from place to place
- protagonistStory's central figure
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
trial · disillusionment · heartbreak · betrayal · sacrifice · departure · return · wisdom · lesson · memoir
puberty
Sexual development stage
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- developmentProgress toward maturity
awakening · blossoming · transformation · metamorphosis · self-discovery · enlightenment · realization · epiphany · progression · evolution
graduation
Completing academic requirements formally
- quinceañeraFifteenth birthday celebration
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- votingFormally registering a choice
license · eighteen · adulthood · majority · debutante · commencement · walkabout · conscription · emancipation · matriculation
teenager
Person aged thirteen-nineteen
- adolescentPerson in puberty
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
curiosity · naivety · crush · acne · friendship · clique · angst · homework · prom · bullying
individuation
Distinguishing one from many
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
selfhood · authenticity · introspection · differentiation · agency · self-actualization · independence · empowerment · persona · ego
initiation
Formal admission ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- traditionCustom passed through generations
sacrament · baptism · communion · ordination · scarification · circumcision · tattooing · piercing · fasting · seclusion
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- girls fictionheroines, girl power, schoolgirls, princesses, friendship
- boys in filmboyhood, young hero, street kids, newsboys, newsie
- literary fictionliterary realism, contemporary fiction, character-driven, character study, character studies
- realistic fictionliterary fiction, contemporary fiction, social realism, slice of life, family saga
- YA fictionyoung adult, YA, teen romance, teenage protagonists, juvenile fiction
coming-of-agesecond childhood
Senility's mental decline
Peter Pan syndrome · decline · senescence · aging · growing old
coming-of-ageregression
Return to former state
infantilization · arrested development · immaturity · childishness · stunted growth
coming-of-agesheltering
Protecting from elements
naivety · unworldliness · cloistering · willful ignorance · escapism