Birthdays (Ferron)

To an outsider, the young one would have been five. But to the rest of us in the studenthouse, we thought of xem as being two into studenthood.

In Ferro, birthdays are an important part of life, as it shows how long you have been in your current role within the population, and how long until your next role begins.
Between the ages of birth and three years old, a child's birthdays are celebrated in a very small celebration. The child's minders will give them a present. Something that they themselves will own. These presents are often

History

Birthdays have been celebrated since before the people of Ferro had to move underground, and it is known that they are celebrated elsewhere.

Execution

Between the ages of birth and three years old, a child's birthdays are celebrated in a very small celebration. The child's minders will give them a present. Something that they themselves will own. These presents are often small and symbolic.
From 3 until 12, the celebration is larger. The student's teachers and peers will bake food, and listen to a short story about the student's subjects. Not enough of one that the other students will want to learn more, but enough that they will understand what their peers are studying and how important it is to their society.
From 12 to 18, the celebration is even larger, and often involves the adults getting drunk.
From 18 until death, birthday celebrations are expected to be private affairs, carried out only with the partner. Sex is allowed on birthdays, as it is on other holidays, but any two genetically compatible partners must wear protection, to avoid unwanted children.
Any unwanted children cannot officially celebrate birthdays, although parents will normally give their children presents.

Participants

Minders and children, Teachers and students, Adults and friends, partners.

Observance

Anniversary of birth.

Primary Related Location

Ferro

Related Ethnicities

• Ferron