Sweet sixteen (birthday)
A sweet sixteen is a coming-of-age party[1] mostly celebrating a girl's (and boy's) 16th birthday, mainly celebrated in the United States and Canada. While she is not a legal adult, 16 is when many girls learn to drive, get jobs, and assume other adult responsibilities. For many, the 16th birthday celebrates womanhood and marks the end of a girl's childhood. As the name suggests, the celebration takes place on a teenager’s sixteenth birthday and is celebrated across all genders. While some families throw large, lavish celebrations, others celebrate the birthday as normal. This event can be formal, casual, or semi-formal.[2]
Traditions[edit]
Shoe ceremony[edit]
For girls, the shoe ceremony is common at Quinceañeras parties. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits in a chair while her father, grandfather, Godfather, Uncle, or brother approaches her, carrying a decorative pillow with high heels. The girl traditionally wore flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helped her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman.[3]
Tiara ceremony[edit]
The tiara ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the mother or a strong female figure approaches with a tiara instead of shoes and places it on her daughter's head to symbolize her becoming a woman. Sometimes, this is combined with the shoe ceremony so that two people approach the birthday girl, one with a pillow with high heels and the other with a pillow with a tiara.[3]
Candle-lighting ceremony[edit]
This tradition is common in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, and sweet sixteens, although in different ages. There are typically 16 candles, each given to special family members and friends by the birthday girl.[4] Usually, when the recipient of the candle is named, the birthday girl says a few words in regards to why this person (or people) is special to them, they may tell a short story or fun memory they have shared with that person. The birthday girl can decide to give her candles to whomever she chooses.[5]
Other specific coming-of-age parties[edit]
like the United States, Similar celebrations are found in different cultures worldwide, some even brought to America.
Latin America[edit]
While it's thoroughly combined when living in the States, the most famous coming-of-age celebration is mainly the quinceañera, which is shared amongst the large Mexican American population from California to Florida, as well as within the other Hispanic communities throughout the country in Hispanic countries and Puerto Rico and the festa de debutantes in Brazil, both at 15 years of age.
Philippines[edit]
In the Philippines, the debut (pronounced de-boo) celebrates a young woman's 18th birthday. A young man may also celebrate his debut on his 21st birthday, albeit with less formal celebrations or none.
Japanese[edit]
Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) is a Japanese holiday held annually. It is held to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached or will reach maturity. Festivities include coming-of-age ceremonies (成人式, seijin-shiki) held at local and prefectural offices and after-parties among family and friends.
Judaism[edit]
In Conservative and Orthodox Judaism, girls reach maturity at the age of 12, celebrated with a bat mitzvah, and for boys (and girls, in the Reform movement) at the age of 13, with a bar mitzvah, or for both, with a B'nai mitzvah and both girls, with a b'not mitzvah. These are important dates in the Jewish culture because the young person is considered an adult following these ceremonies, bar or bat mitzvah.
Christianity[edit]
In many Christian denominations, both girls and boys reach spiritual maturity around the age of 13 or 14, with the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Popular culture[edit]
Like most coming-of-age events, sweet 16s are common on TV, in movies, music, books, and online.[6]
Music[edit]
Songs that talk about or represent sweet 16s.
- "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" - Written by James Thornton, published 1898, #3 hit for Harry McDonough in 1901
- "16 Candles" - recorded by the Crests and several other artists, including Roy Orbison
- "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" - Neil Sedaka
- "Sweet Little Sixteen" - Chuck Berry
- "Sweet Sixteen" - Iggy Pop
- "Sweet Sixteen" - Billy Idol
- "Sweet Sixteen" (no connection to the Billy Idol version) - Hilary Duff, it later became the theme song for MTV's reality show My Super Sweet 16.
- "You're Sixteen" - written by the Sherman Brothers, recorded by Johnny Burnette, Ringo Starr and others.
- "My Little Girl" - Tim McGraw
- "Butterfly Kisses" - Bob Carlisle
- "Dear god" - Kevin Gates
- "Only Sixteen" - Sam Cooke
Film and television[edit]
- Sixteen Candles - This 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film, by director John Hughes, stars Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall. It tells the story of a young woman's disappointment when her family forgets her 16th birthday because they are focused on preparing for her older sister's wedding the following day.
- My Super Sweet 16 - Aly & AJ, Demetrius, son of Timbaland, Erin Wright, daughter of the late Eazy-E, Carlysia Levert, daughter of the late Gerald Levert, Teyana Taylor, Cher Hubsher, sMothered,[7] Reginae Carter, daughter of Lil' Wayne, Justin Combs and Quincy Brown, son and stepson of Sean "Diddy" Combs[8], Kristy Landers, daughter of Tom Niedenfuer and Judy Launders, Romeo, Cymphonique and Itali Miller, children of Master P,[9] Noah Urrea, Destiny, daughter of former N.F.L. star Ray Buchanan, Sierra, daughter of CeeLo Green, Darnell and Lea Robinson, children of Sugar Hill Records president Leland Robinson, Svetlana, Real World Key West, DJ Tillman, stepson of NFL player Danny Clark, Christy, daughter of DJ Spinderella of "Salt-N-Pepa" and former NBA star Kenny Anderson, Aaron, son of record executive LA Reid, Etienne, son of actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Natalie Viscuso[10][11]
- Shake It Up - The episode Sweet 16 It Up where two of the main characters celebrate their Sweet 16 birthday.
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians - Kendall Jenner[12] and Kylie Jenner[13]
- Cake Boss - Mary, Bartolina, Dominique, Teresa "Tessa" and Sofia, nieces and daughter of Buddy Valastro[14]
- Dance Moms - Nia Sioux,[15] JoJo Siwa,[16] Chloe Lukasiak,[17] Kalani Hilliker
- America's Next Top Model - Jaslene Gonzalez[18]
- 16 Wishes - Debby Ryan stars in This movie is a coming-of-age tale of a teenager who can't wait to grow up by making wishes, ending with the enormous party she had always dreamed of since she was little[19]
- Super Sweet 16: The Movie
Celebrity sweet 16'ners[edit]
when they're not working on movies, TV, or music, these young celebrities had their sweet 16 birthday bash
- Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen even released a book series while planning their event called "Mary-Kate and Ashley: Sweet 16"
- Sophie Simmons, daughter of KISS Gene Simmons and Playboy model Shannon Tweed
- Madison Pettis[20]
- Zendaya[21]
- Keke Palmer[22]
- Olivia Holt[23]
- Miley and Noah Cyrus, daughters of Billy Ray Cyrus
- China McClain[24]
- Sabrina Carpenter[25][26][27]
- Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell and actress/model Leighanne Littrell[28]
See also[edit]
- Quinceañera
- Bar and bat mitzvah
- Age 16
- My Super Sweet 16
- Philippine debut
- Cug Huê Hng
- Coming of Age Day
- Coming of age
References[edit]
- ^ Ames, Lynn (4 January 1978). "Sweet Sixteen: A Rite That Persists". New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Rose, Gracie. "Teens change attitude toward Sweet 16". The Charger Online. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b "What is Sweet Sixteen and How to celebrate it?". Cher. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
- ^ "Sweet Sixteen Candle Lighting Ceremony in the BEGINNING or END?". Luminique Events Group. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ March 29, Staff WriterLast Updated (4 August 2015). "What Is the Sweet 16 Candle Ceremony?". Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "16 Celebrity Episodes Of MTV's 'My Super Sweet 16' So Extravagant, They'll Make You Wish You Were Still A Teen". Bustle. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ Sarner, Lauren (5 June 2019). "Who is Cher Hubsher? From 'My Super Sweet 16' to 'sMothered'". New York Post.
- ^ Staff, T. R. (17 March 2018). "Sweet Sixteen: 16 Celebs Who Spoiled Their Kids On Their Birthdays". TheRichest. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Cymphonique Miller's Sweet 16 Birthday Party". Celeb Secrete. 31 July 2012.
- ^ "You Might've Missed Henry Cavill's Pregnant Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso's My Super Sweet 16 Cameo". E! Online. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ Staff, In Touch (12 June 2023). "'My Super Sweet 16' Where Are They Now: See Photos Today". In Touch Weekly. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Kendall Jenner: Inside Her 16th Birthday Bash—and That Awesome Bubble!". E! Online. 2011.
- ^ "Kylie Jenner's Sweet 16 Birthday Bash | ExtraTV.com". Extra.
- ^ "Cake Boss Buddy Valastro's Daughter Sofia Is 16! See Everything from Her Extravagant Birthday Party". PEOPLE.com.
- ^ "Nia Sioux Hosts Her Sweet 16 in Los Angeles". CelebMix. 23 June 2017.
- ^ "North West and More Stars Attend JoJo Siwa's Sweet 16 Birthday Party". E! Online. 2019.
- ^ "Inside Dance Moms Star Chloe Lukasiak's Sweet 16 Party". E! Online. 2017.
- ^ "Jaslene Gonzalez". Mis Quince Magazine. 5 February 2008.
- ^ Rose, Gracie. "Teens change attitude toward Sweet 16". The Charger Online. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Madison Pettis' Celebrates Her Sweet 16 with a Star-Studded Party – Photos & Videos Inside!". Celeb Secrets. 2 August 2014.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: We Were at Zendaya's Sweet 16 | TigerBeat". 2 September 2012.
- ^ "Nickelodeon's Keke Palmer Celebrates Sweet 16". PEOPLE.com.
- ^ "Olivia Holt Sweet 16 For Charity!". Sweety High. 5 August 2013.
- ^ "4 Big Reasons To Tune Into China's Sweet 16 on CELEBrations". Sweety High. 23 January 2015.
- ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Celebrates her Sweet 16 in Los Angeles • CelebMafia". CelebMafia. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell's Son Baylee Makes His Country Music Debut During His Sweet 16 Bash". PEOPLE.com.