Many societies have rituals to signify young ladies transition to adulthood. A common way is often, a woman's coming of age is associated with her reaching puberty and becoming able to bear children. Presenting young women as debutantes is one of the few remaining Western ceremonies that formalizes coming of age and the entrance of a young woman into society.
The word debutante was adopted into English from French during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in England in the second half of the 16th century, when she began the custom of formally presenting eligible young women at court. Three centuries later, Queen Victoria gave the ceremony its present form with girls dressed in white and the official bow called a "curtsey." In Victorian days, young girls were kept closely guarded at home until about age 18. Their presentation to society meant that they were now formally allowed to be seen in public with a man and begin courtship.
The word debutante was adopted into English from French during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in England in the second half of the 16th century, when she began the custom of formally presenting eligible young women at court. Three centuries later, Queen Victoria gave the ceremony its present form with girls dressed in white and the official bow called a "curtsey." In Victorian days, young girls were kept closely guarded at home until about age 18. Their presentation to society meant that they were now formally allowed to be seen in public with a man and begin courtship.