Purchases as a Rite of Passage

As a boy grows into manhood their are some things he should buy, preferably with his own money.  I say preferably because in some cases young men are gifted certain items by the men in their life who want them to have a special memento.  I have no objection to boys getting these items as gifts, but there is a special sense of achievement when a boy pays for them with money he has earned himself.

These are listed in order of age from youngest to oldest.  I assume that the boy making the purchase is doing so with his father permission and oversight.  The boy should earn the money either from his allowance or paper route or doing odd jobs.  Mom or dad shouldn't just fork over the cash.  There is no achievement in buying stuff you want with money that cost you nothing to get.

• A pocket knife about age 9
• Fireworks, of the pop bottle rocket and fire cracker variety 10 or so
• A BB gun
• Earn a hunters safety certificate (age 12 most states)
• Small game hunting license
• Fishing license
• Big game hunting license (the age for the licenses will depend on your state)
• Pay for his drivers license and insurance age 16
• Shotgun, rifle age 18, a boy obviously should already have his own 22 before this time,  I'm talking about going into a store and purchasing new guns, which by law means age 18. 

The young man should give considerable thought and research to these purchases as they will be his first step into accepting responsibility for his life and those who depend on him. 

You may have noticed that I have left buying a car off the list.  This is not a mistake.  Yes, I bought my first car when I was 18.  No, I have no objection to boys buying cars.  Yes, it is an important step in securing independence and manhood for most.  Owning a car isn't absolutely necessary to manhood, and in some cases paying for the responsibility of a car might be the best way for the boy to go.  A young man going into the service or away for education or training may not need the extra expense of a car as he focuses on his future.

Men provide protection and safety to those they love.  Being prepared to do this is a boy's acceptance of manhood.  He should buy his guns ideally on his 18th birthday.  He should do it before he fills out and signs his selective service card or his voters registration paperwork.