While comparing and contrasting my own experiences of adolescence, to those of Indigenous Australians, it was clear that the experience of adolescence is dependent upon the culture you're brought up in. Adolescence in contemporary Australian culture, and the culture of indigenous Australians both have stages of development. Difference are evident in socialisation factors, and rites of passage in adolescence. It is through these early socialisation factors and important rites of passage, that an individual identity is formed amongst young adults. While growing up in Western Sydney I have been exposed to particular socialisation factors and rites of passage, due to my parent's economic background, beliefs, and history. These factors differ to those of which an indigenous teenager, growing up in the Northern Territory would have experienced since the socialisation factors, economic background, beliefs, history, and various rites of passage differ from my own. Rites of passage play a significant role in the development of an adolescent. They serve as transition points through various life stages. Although the typical Australian doesn't celebrate official rites of passage other than birthdays, there are a large number of informal rites of passage that have a significant meaning and purpose. For example, at the age of sixteen in Australia an adolescent is able to obtain their learners licence. Although the actually act of getting your L's is insignificant, there is a feeling of self accomplishment. For many, getting your L's acts as the first active step taken to gain adulthood independence. Similarly to this idea, Walkabout, is an aboriginal rite of passage. It is undertaken by young males, as they transition between the life stages of childhood and adulthood. The Walkabout also represents independence, but there are also a large number of differences. It is an official rite of passage, which is undertaken by all aboriginal males in their