AIBU to not see music festivals as a teenage rite of passage?

Depends who your friends are and what kind of music you’re into. My dc have both been (Ds17 is at Leeds right now) and I went to loads, but later when I was at uni - it certainly wasn’t a thing after GCSEs when I was that age - I don’t remember anyone going and my mum definitely wouldn’t have let me. Dh didn’t go to any but he was a raver and in our day festivals were solely bands.

Does it matter?

Rite of passage seems like a decent way to describe it, told DS's friend not to take anything he cared about and expect to come back wearing various other peoples urine.

Loads of DSs friends went after their GCSEs and most of my friends current teens have also gone after finishing GCSEs or A-Levels. Thankfully DS wasn’t interested. I’d have been a nervous wreck with him there all weekend.

Mine aren’t that age yet so it’s hard to say. I’d be nervous I think but depends on how sensible a 16yr old she is. Would she be camping? I think a day visit would be worth considering, if you think she and her friends are fairly sensible.

I did Reading (before it added Leeds as a venue) post GCSEs in 1997.

I wasn't massively enjoyong it.. I'm not a great camper anyway but sleep was impossible, thefts were rife and by the last night it was unsafe in camping areas and a lot of people stayed awake to keep safe. As transport was a rickety old coach from Reading to Manchester we couldn't leave early.

I think generslly behaviour at festivals is worsening, there seem to be large reports of sexual assualts, thefts etc.
I dont get the feeling of them being a safe envirobmemt for females, younger people or those not in large groups where there is safety in numbers. I think the rite of passage of fun, freedom fron study, parents etc is outweighed by other risks.

My dc went camping with friends after exams and loved just hanging out, swimming and relaxing with friends.

Festivals are viewed as a rite of passage, depending on where you live.

Obviously if you wouldn't enjoy it anyway it isn't?? Don't think you can decide for others. You don't "send" 17+ adults to anything.

I went to my first festival at 16, it was incredible. I saw so many bands, camped with my friends and had an amazing time, it was the first of many

I am so sad that women’s safety is an issue and reason that people are anxious about their children going to music festivals. Ive always found them to be safe spaces, with kindred spirits. My parents were not happy about my attending them but it’s an argument they lost….
I went to Leeds at 16, and many festivals since. I’ve never felt unsafe, but I’ve never done drugs and I’ve never been either past the point of self control or with people I don’t trust in those environments.

I'm ancient and still managed to go to Reading in the 70's. Cold, wet, and (God help us) Ted Nugent was headlining. (His set went on for what seemed like months.) Not so much a rite of passage as a rite of bloody hell I will never do that again.

No such thing as a rite of passage.

Some teens will want to go, some won't. For some it will be hugely important, for others it won't. Some 16 year olds might be mature enough, a lot won't.

My son isn't/wasn't interested. He is 19. He had been to a few big concerts but not until he was 18. We went to family friendly festivals when he was young and he loved it. I am not sure his GF is a fan of camping :D I would have been concerned if he had been much younger and wanted to go either to a gig in a big city or a festival and was camping or booking a hotel. Less so if I could pick him up after.

Just to add, I went to my first concert in 1988 age 16 and my first stadium gig in 1989 age 17. Both were organised bus trips.

I wanted to go to Monsters of Rock in 1987 just before my 16th birthday as Bon Jovi were playing but my parents were having none of that!

Well yes if you enjoy festivals. Not obligatory though is it? Some dont like that sorry of thing and fair enough.

Well I was obviously talking about teenagers seen as that’s what your post is about. Not too sure what you want from this thread really

Not a rite of passage as such.

But for those who have music as a passion and enjoy festivals then attending one with mates is a rite of passage.

How many times can you write the same phrase?
They will be a rite of passage for a large amount of teenagers.
Obviously nothing will be a universal experience.

As said by others, they are to some people but not others. How old are you?

Rock music festivals are the best. Rarely any problems . Nice and chilled . Been going since I was a teenager and took my own when they were old enough .
You either like festivals or you don’t - it’s not a big deal if you don’t ! Probably have other interests instead .