Abstract:

This paper reports a case study on the diary keeping behavior by the Educated Youth in an effort to examine the ritualization of daily practices. Due to its daytoday nature and the individuality in expressing oneself， the social nature in such a ritualized daily practice is not readily apparent. Applying the structural ritualization theory， this study demonstrates the rich socialness and group conditions embedded in ritualized daily practices. The study also shows how society， group conditions， and individuals play the key roles in the formation of such ritualized daily practices. The public behavior exhibited at the societal level provides the main source for the development of these ritualized daily practices； whereas group conditions prepare for the group members to mimic， select， adjust， or even modify the public behavior. In contrast， the assessment of the social public behavior and group characteristics is accomplished by individuals.

Key words: ritualized daily practices, diary, Educated Youth, ritualization