A sweet sixteen is a
coming of age party celebrating a person's 16th
birthday, mainly celebrated in some parts of the United States and Canada. While some families throw large, lavish celebrations, others choose to celebrate the birthday as if it were a normal occurrence. This event can be formal, casual, or semi-formal.
While traditionally it is common that sweet sixteens are mostly celebrated by girls, they can also be celebrated by boys. Sweet sixteens can range from modest parties at home with close family to large parties with a hired DJ, makeup, hair styling, expensive gowns and dresses, and hotel ballrooms. Even if it is a small party, the main purpose of the party is to celebrate the person's earliest stage of adulthood.
Alternative sweet sixteen celebrations in the United States can include a religious or church ceremony also, like a Mass or a blessing at church. This religious or church ceremony has its origins in the
Quinceañera
A (also , , , and ) is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. It has pre-Columbian roots in Mexico (Aztecs) and is widely celebrated by girls throughout Latin America. The girl celebrating her 15th birthday is a (; feminine form of "15- ...
style, but since there are many American-born
Hispanic people, many choose to blend a sweet sixteen American style with their Quinceañera tradition. For example, the girl may go to the church for the religious ceremony and, then, while in the party, choose to have the sixteen-candle ceremony. The religious ceremony comes from the Hispanic tradition, while the sixteen candles ceremony comes from the American tradition.
Traditions
Shoe ceremony
For girls, the shoe ceremony is common at Quinceañeras parties. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits down in a chair while her father, grandfather, Godfather, Uncle, or brother approaches her with high heels on a decorative pillow. The girl would traditionally be wearing flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helps her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman.
Tiara ceremony
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.
Father-daughter dance
The father-daughter dance is a tradition that is also frequently performed at weddings. The girl and her father dance to a slow-jazz or traditional song while everyone sits and watches. This is usually the first song of the night.
Sometimes, girls also added a mother-daughter dance as a dedication to her mother.
Candle-lighting ceremony
This tradition is most common in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras and sweet sixteens, although in different ages. There are typically 16 candles, each of which are given to special family members and friends by the birthday girl. Usually, when the recipient of the candle is named, a few words are said by the birthday girl 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. Although the birthday girl can decide to give her candles to whomever she chooses, in whichever order she wants, here is the traditional order of candles:
- Each of the 16 candles holds a special meaning...
*The first candle is for the girl's parents or guardians.
*The second candle is for the siblings. (If there are no siblings, then this candle can represent the grandparents.)
*Candles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are for the rest of the family members.
*Candles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are for friends.
*Candle 15 is for the girl's best friend or friends.
*The 16th candle is for the boyfriend or the closest male friend.
*Some add a 17th candle which represents good luck.
First car
In Canada and many states in the United States, the minimum age to legally drive a car is 16. Sometimes, although rarely, the birthday person is gifted a car as a birthday present. The car can be either purchased new, used, or simply be gifted from one person to another (often within their family).
Other specific coming of age parties
Latin America
Similar celebrations are found in different cultures around the world, such as the
quinceañera
A (also , , , and ) is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. It has pre-Columbian roots in Mexico (Aztecs) and is widely celebrated by girls throughout Latin America. The girl celebrating her 15th birthday is a (; feminine form of "15- ...
in Hispanic countries and the ''festa de debutantes'' in Brazil, both at 15 years of age.
Philippines
In the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
, the
debut
Debut or début (the first public appearance of a person or thing) may refer to:
* Debut (society), the formal introduction of young upper-class women to society
* Debut novel, an author's first published novel
Film and television
* ''The Deb ...
(pronounced de-boo'') celebrates a young woman's 18th birthday. A young man may also celebrate his own debut on his 21st birthday, albeit with less formal celebrations or none at all.
Japanese
Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) is a
Japanese holiday held annually. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached or will reach the age of maturity. Festivities include coming of age ceremonies (成人式, seijin-shiki) held at local and prefectural offices, as well as after-parties among family and friends.
Judaism
In Conservative and Orthodox
Judaism
Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in th ...
, 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 following these ceremonies, bar or bat mitzvah, the young person is considered an adult.
Christianity
In many Christian denominations, both girls and boys reach the age of spiritual maturity at around the age of 13 or 14, with the
Sacrament
A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the rea ...
of
Confirmation
In Christian denominations that practice infant baptism, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. Those being confirmed are known as confirmands. For adults, it is an affirmation of belief. It involves laying on ...
.
Popular culture
Music
Songs that talk about or represent sweet 16s.
* "
When You Were Sweet Sixteen
"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" is a popular song, written by James Thornton and published in 1898. Inspired and sung by the composer's wife, the ballad quickly became a hit song in vaudeville. It has a long recording history that includes numerous ...
" - Written by
James Thornton, published 1898, #3 hit for
Harry McDonough in 1901
* "
16 Candles
''Sixteen Candles'' is a 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. Written and directed by John Hughes in his directorial debut, it was the first in a string of films Hughe ...
" - recorded by
the Crests
The Crests were an American doo-wop group, formed by bass vocalist J.T. Carter in the mid 1950s. The group had several Top 40 hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s on Coed Records. Their most popular song, "16 Candles", rose to #2 on the '' ...
and several other artists, including
Roy Orbison
* "
Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen
"Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" is a pop song released in 1961 by Neil Sedaka. Sedaka wrote the music and performed the song, while the lyrics were written by Howard Greenfield. The song is noted for being similar in musical structure to Take Goo ...
" -
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
Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress and singer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including seven Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards and two Young Artist Awards. She began her acti ...
, 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
Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the ...
and others.
* "
My Little Girl" -
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums (11 for Curb Records, four for Big Machine Records and one for Arista Nashville). 10 of those alb ...
* "
Butterfly Kisses" -
Bob Carlisle
Robert Mason "Bob" Carlisle (born September 29, 1956) is an American Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. He performed with several bands, most notably Allies and Billy Thermal, before launching a solo career where he received a Grammy ...
* "Dear god"( Kevin Gates)
Film & television
*
Sixteen Candles - This 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film, by director
John Hughes, stars
Molly Ringwald and
Anthony Michael Hall
Michael Anthony Hall (born April 14, 1968), known professionally as Anthony Michael Hall, is an American actor best known for his leading role as Johnny Smith in '' The Dead Zone'' from 2002 to 2007. He also rose to fame starring in films with ...
. 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
Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1964 – March 26, 1995), known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records. He is often referred ...
, Carlysia Levert, daughter of the late
Gerald Levert
Gerald Edward Levert (July 13, 1966 – November 10, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and producer. Levert was best known for singing with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon of the vocal group LeVert. Levert was also a ...
,
Teyana Taylor, Cher Hubsher,
sMothered, Reginae Carter, daughter of
Lil' Wayne, Justin Combs and
Quincy Brown, son and stepson of
Sean "Diddy" Combs, Kristy Landers, daughter of
Tom Niedenfuer and Judy Launders,
Romeo,
Cymphonique
Cymphonique Miller (born August 1, 1996), known professionally as Cymphonique, is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of Master P, Percy Robert Miller (also known as Master P) and is the younger sister of Romeo Miller (a.k.a. Ro ...
and Itali Miller, children of
Master P,
Noah Urrea
Noah Jacob Urrea (born March 31, 2001) is an American singer, actor, composer, dancer and model. He became world famous after becoming a member of the global pop group Now United, representing the USA. In 2022 he left the group to focus on his ...
, Destiny, daughter of former N.F.L. star
Ray Buchanan
Raymond Louis Buchanan (born September 29, 1971) is a former American football player in the NFL. He was drafted out of Louisville in 1993 by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round (65th overall), and subsequently played for the Atlanta Falco ...
, 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
*
Shake It Up Shake It Up may refer to:
* ''Shake It Up'' (Boney James & Rick Braun album), 2000
* ''Shake It Up'' (The Cars album), 1981
** "Shake It Up" (The Cars song), the title song
* "Shake It Up" (Divine song), 1983
* "Shake It Up" (Koda Kumi song), ...
- The episode ''Sweet 16 It Up'' where two of the main characters celebrates her Sweet 16 birthday.
*Keeping Up With the Karadashians -
Kendall Jenner and
Kylie Jenner
*
Cake Boss - Mary, Bartolina, Dominique, Teresa "Tessa" and Sofia, nieces and daughter of
Buddy Valastro
*
Dance Moms - Nia Sioux,
JoJo Siwa,
Chloe Lukasiak
Chloe (; ), also spelled Chloë, Chlöe, or Chloé, is a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility" in Greek. The name ultimately derives, through Greek, from the Proto-Indo-European root ', which relates to the colors yellow and green. T ...
,
Kalani Hilliker
Kalani Brooke Hilliker (born September 23, 2000) is an American dancer and actress. She rose to fame in 2013 as a contestant on the Lifetime reality series '' Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition'' and subsequently appeared on ''Dance Moms'', becomin ...
*
America's Next Top Model -
Jaslene Gonzalez
Celebrity sweet 16'ners
*
Sophie Simmons
Sophie Alexandra Tweed-Simmons (born July 7, 1992) is an American singer, television personality, and model who promotes body positivity.
Early life
Simmons was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Shannon Tweed, a Canadian actres ...
, daughter of KISS
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz; he, חיים ויץ, ; born August 25, 1949) is an Israeli-American musician. Also known by his stage persona The Demon, he is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the hard rock band he co-founded with Paul ...
and Playboy model
Shannon Tweed
*
Madison Pettis
Madison Michelle Pettis (born July 22, 1998) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Sophie Martinez on the Disney Channel comedy series ''Cory in the House'', as Peyton Kelly in the 2007 film '' The Game Plan'', and as Allie Broo ...
*
Zendaya
*
Keke Palmer
*
Olivia Holt
*
Miley and
Noah Cyrus, daughters of
Billy Ray Cyrus
*
China McClain
China Anne McClain (born August 25, 1998) is an American actress and singer. McClain's career began when she was seven years old, portraying Alexis in the film ''The Gospel'' (2005), and then China James in '' Daddy's Little Girls'' (2007). Sh ...
*
Baylee Littrell, son of
Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell and actress/model Leighanne Littrell
See also
*
Quinceañera
A (also , , , and ) is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. It has pre-Columbian roots in Mexico (Aztecs) and is widely celebrated by girls throughout Latin America. The girl celebrating her 15th birthday is a (; feminine form of "15- ...
*
Bar and bat mitzvah
*
Age 16
* ''
My Super Sweet 16''
*
Philippine debut
*
Cug Huê Hng
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet Sixteen (Birthday)
Birthdays
Rites of passage
Adolescencebr>
"360 Booths for Sweet Sixteen Parties"