Customary/Ritual
American 50th Birthday
Stephen Meade
Seattle, WA.
November 10th, 2020
Informant Data:
Stephen was born in Washington, D.C. in 1958 and had three siblings and two parents. He moved all around the country due to his dad’s military service. He moved to Seattle, WA in the later 80s and had four children. He has lived there ever since. He has worked in the military, product development, finance, and retail. He currently owns a chain of gift stores with his wife.
Contextual Data:
Cultural Context: In the United States, the 50th birthday is significant because it is the decade birthday halfway to 100. Decade birthdays represent the start of a new stage in somebody’s life. For example, the 30s are for settling down, the 50s is when someone becomes middle-aged, and the 60s is when someone becomes a senior. These transitions are important in American culture and are celebrated accordingly, with large parties and gift-giving.
Social Context: The 50th birthday is regarded as celebrating somebody making it halfway through life. Decade birthdays are often celebrated with lots of people, but the 50th is very significant because it is considered the halfway mark. In the fast-paced modern world, it is hard to see many friends from the past, but friends and family from all over the country and world will come to celebrate this rare occasion. People will rent out venues or host large gatherings in their house to celebrate. The celebration includes eating the birthday person’s favorite foods and drinks, giving gifts, and dancing. Usually, this party is for adults, but some children in the family come.
Item:
When Stephen turned 50, his wife hosted a surprise birthday in a brewery in downtown Seattle. There were around 200 people in attendance, including friends and family from around the world. The catered food including his favorite pasta dish that his dad used to make him, his favorite beers from around the country, and the music played throughout the night was a CD playlist of his favorite songs that his wife made for him and gifted everyone at the end of the party. Guests brought meaningful gifts, such as wooden handmade sculptures, paintings, and items from their shared pasts that were filled with meaning to Stephen. After dinner, a giant chocolate cake came out and everybody in the room sang happy birthday.
Mitchell Meade
Hanover, NH
Dartmouth College
RUSS 13 Fall 2020