Pederasty

In parts of ancient Greece, not all of it, there were certain things to do, hoops to jump through, before marriage was an option for you.

Just coming into adulthood, at about seventeen or eighteen, it was time to prove your manhood. The best option was to do the obvious. Go on a hunt, by yourself, and heroically kill an animal of significant size. Not a rabbit or squirrel, but something like an elk or large deer.

The other option was pederasty.

Pederasty is the consensual intimate relationship between a teenage boy and an older man. Yes, it was public and yes, it came with consequences if one opted out.

For whatever reason, being publicly raped by a senior citizen was considered to prove your manhood to the women who would be marrying you in a few years.

If, however, you chose NOT to do this and couldn't find any luck hunting, you were ridiculed publicly. You would be forced to grow your hair out, and wear dresses, like a girl. People would refer to you as a woman and you would not be able to marry in the future.