What stance do you have on the hijab?
I see it as a symbol of proclaiming one's identity as part of a religion. Like wearing a cross, etc. Although, the idea of a burqa infuriates me.
Personally, I've grown up without wearing one, but now I'm in my early twenties and I guess something spritiual is stirring inside of me. As a result I'm very much considering adopting the tradition in order to get closer to God than a woman would be able to without the veil.
One of my friends took on the hijab when she went into University, as she found a great social network of other Muslim girls, who practised it themselves, and she found a resonance. I remember her calling me up, to tell me of her decision, so very hesitantly, and I congratulated her. She was quite surprised by my reaction, because the reactions she got from our other friends were skepticism and "why would you do that for?". She never thought to wear it while we were in high school (mom didn't, sister didn't, extended family didn't), and after university, she gave up the hijab again (she's a mama of 2 boys now). Another of my friend took on the hijab during puberty and has kept it ever since. It is a very intrinsic part of her identity.
I think an important thing to realize about the hijab is that it is not explicitly perscribed in concrete terms in the Qu'ran. The passages say to cover one's bosom and dress modestly, with eyes down. Interpretations by scholars have led to a conclusion that what is being asked is the hijab [some go as far as to say, it's asking for the burqa].
And, I don't know if you are familiar with the history of the hijab in Islam, but, it wasn't originally ordained as a required piece of clothing of religious significance. The evolution of the hijab within Islam is best seen within the
cultural context through which religion manifested. It is not simply and only a religious matter (as very few things rarely are).
The veil itself is older than Islam, and Muslims in the 1st century were much more liberal in terms of women's dress than some surrounding cultures of the time. And, in the early history, the veil was seen as a status symbol of the rich - they could afford to keep their women in the house, a prized posession hidden from all and sundry. In terms of the veil becoming not just common, but an enforcement of the common law - that came into effect, really, in the Middle Ages.
So, I don't know how much you're internalizing the hijab as strictly a spiritual rite of religious passage versus a cultural rite of passage.