Initiation or Incarceration: Hazing in Fraternities and Sororities

By participating in Greek life, the students’ social circles are expanded. Because sororities and fraternities are specific to gender, religions, races, and even majors, those who participate in Greek life create lifelong relationships with people they choose to associate with by

The chapter “ Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why are some fraternities more dangerous places for women?” by A. Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade helps to shed light on why some fraternities are associated with high number of sexual assaults on women. I was surprised to learn that “frat brothers rape 300% more and 1 in 5 women are raped on campus” (Valenti, 2014) and despite these horrendous statistics fraternities are still around. So why aren’t there more stringent actions set into motion to stop sexual assaults on women on campus or better yet ban fraternities. A lot has to do with how society as a whole sets double standards with regard to gender sexuality. Men who sleep around are viewed as “studs” or a “player” and women who sleep

Students involved in clubs, fraternities, sororities, and organizations experience hazing. In fact, 55% those college students involved in clubs, teams and organizations experience hazing. Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risk emotional, or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Hazing can occur in high school, intercollegiate, or even professionally. As an individual, you have to know what is hazing. What is going over the edge? Am I doing anything illegal? Or is this causing emotional or physical distress or stress to myself or to others? Hazing, even though its tradition,

come to an end, and it is still implemented in hundreds of schools. There are

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

One of the biggest stereotypes about being in a fraternity or sorority is that you party and drink a lot. Drinking alcohol is not a focal point of Greek life, although alcohol is at almost every social occasion in Greek life. In Blake’s article it is said that no matter what Greek organization you are a part of underage

Hazing in universities across the nation has become an increasingly dangerous ritual that is seemingly becoming more difficult to put an end to due to its development into an "underground" activity. Though a regular activity in the seventies, hazing, a possible dangerous act of initiation to a group, has now become an activity that is banned in thirty-nine states (Wagner 16). However, this ritual has not been stopped or become less severe. In fact it is becoming more dangerous. Since it has been banned, with many colleges imposing their own penalties against those participating in it, many fraternities and sororities have pursued this activity in an underground fashion. Since these groups have gone underground, some victims of these

Hazing in universities across the nation has become an increasingly dangerous ritual that is seemingly becoming more difficult to put an end to due to its development into an “underground” activity. Though a regular activity in the seventies, hazing, a possible dangerous act of initiation to a group, has now become an activity that is banned in thirty-nine states (Wagner 16). However, this ritual has not been stopped or become less severe. In fact it is becoming more dangerous. Since it has been banned, with many colleges imposing their own penalties against those participating in it, many fraternities and sororities have pursued this activity in an underground fashion. Since these groups have gone underground, some victims of these

I am researching the issue of hazing on college campuses in Greek fraternities. My position is advocating for stronger hazing legislation on campuses to prevent others from commiting crimes of hazing against their “brothers”. In fraternities, many experience hazing or witness it and do nothing about it or enjoy the amusement. If people keep ignoring the signs, more lives will be lost as the count is only growing of high profile cases across college campuses. Hazing effects can turn people’s lives upside down as I learned last year from the death of my close friend at LSU. From personal experience, hazing takes lives away from people way too quickly and ends all hopes of a peaceful future.

Quote from critic: “Hazing rituals that incorporate some form of physical or emotional abuse are not unique to campus Greek life. Many groups, including athletic teams, military units and high school clubs, use some form of hazing to initiate new members.”

1. Hazing (subjecting newcomers to abusive or humiliating tricks and ridicule) has always been seen as a secretive campus activity when it comes to fraternities and pledging. As a result, Dr. Mark Taff resorted in his article that, "..a series of 168 cases of injuries and deaths related to fraternity hazing activities...[occurred] in the United States between 1923 and 1982" (2113). Young college men are being hospitalized and even worse, dying, just for a couple of friends that give them a sense of belonging. The major causes of hazing are the students' wanting a

Often times hazing is a big problem we see occurring in our society. Whether it is occurring within a sports team, sorority, school, friends, or even a group of co-workers, we hear about it on a relatively frequent basis. Often times hazing stories are justified by the person committing the act of hazing and over dramatized by the media. Conducting a full study on whether hazing actually exists and the multiple ways it exists can help members of our society to further understand the implications of the action. Throughout this study the definition of hazing has been explored as well as superfluous examples to prove hazing is prominent in our society and laws and actions taken against

Hazing in universities across the country has become such a dangerous ritual that it’s becoming more difficult to put an end to due to its development into a popular “underground activity”. Though a regular activity in the seventies, hazing, which is a dangerous act of initiation to a group, or an organization. Has now become an activity that is banned in forty-four states (Wagner,16). However, this ritual has not been stopped or become less severe. In fact, it is becoming more dangerous. Since it has been banned, with many colleges imposing their own penalties against those participating in it, many fraternities and sororities have pursued this activity in an underground fashion. Since these groups have gone underground, some victims of these rituals have been injured and subsequently died. This is due to the “hazers” not seeking medical treatment for the victims, for fear that they may be fined or charged by police or campus authorities. One estimate states that at least sixty-five students have died between the years of 1978 and 1996 from beatings and

Since 2005, there have been more than 60 hazing related deaths and over 20,000 hazing related injuries (College). Hazing is a ritual in which harassment, abuse, forceful consumption of alcohol and drugs, and torture are used to initiate a person into a group (“Learners Dictionary”). Hazing is a standard expectation especially when joining a college fraternity or sorority. One’s initiation usually subjects him/her to physical abuse; even though, that physical abuse is a felony in most states. Although some blame the pledgees for voluntarily putting themselves at risk for detrimental harm, schools’ administrations need to issue stricter consequences such as suspension and potential expulsion for hazing in order to stop abuse and save lives.

Just imagine sending your child off to college without realizing you are saying goodbye forever. Parents have a belief that their children will have a safe learning environment in college. Unfortunately, hazing related deaths are an increasing epidemic in American Colleges that shatter that belief for some parents. Research finds that college students are emotionally and physically injured every year due to hazing events. Hazing has also been linked to multiple deaths. There are state laws put into place that prohibit the act of hazing, yet many college students fail to understand the seriousness of hazing and continue this traditional “rite of passage. There is no denying that hazing deaths on American College Campuses have raised a red flag; nevertheless, hazing tragedies have continued to happen with no end in sight. It is time for hazing to be eliminated because not only does it cause emotional and psychological problems, but ultimately can lead to death.