Why Is Hazing Wrong

One of the main reasons why adolescents will start drinking is because of peer pressure or the need to fit in among their classmates or friends. In many cases, first-time college students are pressured into drinking alcohol. Many of the upperclassmen have a big influence on whether or not the first-time students start drinking. Some fraternities require pledges to go through hazing which often leads them to start drinking and in some cases the hazing gets so out of control that it can lead to serious injuries or even death. In a study, researchers took 2,622 participants that were student athletes and first-time college students from 47 different universities. Most

the cause of so many untimely deaths and injuries, it raises the question; should hazing be

As prevalent as hazing is among male college athletes, many people are surprised by the statistics surroundings this controversial topic. For instance in 1989-1999, of a survey of over 350,000 athletes, 250,000 plus said they had experienced hazing of some sort during their time with their associated team. One in five of these students experienced potentially illegal hazing including binge drinking, sexual acts, and destruction and vandalizing of property. Half of these men were involved in drinking contests or other alcohol related incidents, and only one in five experienced positive initiation practices such as team trips or team building exercises. When the geography of college campuses was evaluated, it was found that western and eastern schools participated heavily in alcohol related initiations, whereas southern and Midwestern campuses had a larger prevalence of dangerous or potentially illegal rituals (not to say binge drinking isn’t dangerous). Clearly hazing amongst athletics is not just isolated incidents of serious outcomes that happen to make the news due to their outrageous natures, but is a rampant practice that affects over half of every male athlete in college.

Though some members in a fraternity or sorority may be against what is happening to these individuals, the codes of secrecy and brotherhood/sisterhood are so strong that they fear to break them and come forward to report these acts (Ruffins 18). Lydia Bradley, a strong advocate of anti-hazing laws and national speaker for

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

Embarrassment, psychological issues, physical injuries, extreme intoxication, hospitalization, and death are all possible outcomes when engaging in the act of hazing. These outcomes beg the question, “What is the reward in hazing?” For the victims, there is no reward other than being an official member of an organization. However, according to _____________________ some perpetrators believe that hazing is their rite of passage and that it gives them power over others. Hazing itself has the potential to lead to the termination of an organization, put organization members at criminal and civil risk, affects a college’s amount of incoming students, create conflict between organization members, cause physical injuries as well as psychological

Over the years, there have been many stories published and movies made about the harmful and sometimes deadly consequences of the hazing rituals being performed by university and high school students, military personnel, professional athletes and most recently by middle school students. These rituals have affected the life of the people involve in hazing, whether is on the receiving end or on the delivering end. Educators along with the communities have confronted practical jokes, physical abuse, excessive consumption of alcohol and other humiliating and harmful events.

Hazing is a common ritual found in both academic and employment settings. Although hazing was instituted a few centuries ago, its prominence can still be seen in modern day society. For that reason, this paper will examine three areas that includes the background of hazing, the viewpoint comparison on hazing through two peer-reviewed articles, and why hazing is still controversial in the present day.

What do you hear the most about college? Is it the parties, the freedom, the frats and/or the sororities? Most likely it is the last two. You hear about the sisterhood or brotherhood and how much fun they have on the weekends. The one thing that they sometimes “forget” to tell you about is their initiation of better known as hazing. Hazing in Fraternities and/or Sororities has been wrongful impacting students for centuries and needs to be stopped.

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

"Don’t force yourself to fit in where you don’t belong." When it comes to hazing many believe that it is nothing more but some witless tricks and inoffensive pranks. However, hazing (humiliating and sometimes dangerous initiation rituals, especially as imposed on college students seeking memberships to a fraternity or sorority) has always been captive as a secretive college activity when it comes to join fraternities, sororities, military institutions, sport teams and other social groups. Tremendously dangerous which may results in a life or even death situation. Hazing in universities across the globe has become a powerful dangerous act that is becoming more and more effective day by day. Thus, In order to prevent pain, harm/physical injury, and even deaths in college students life inside campus, we should put a stop to it by encouraging the ones who are opposed hazing to speak out their opinions on how uncomfortable they feel.

Students come into college wanting to have fun and to meet new people. There is no better way to interact and find new friends than to join a fraternity. Fraternities come with a high cost though. Hazing is one of the biggest concerns on college campuses these days. 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. The major cause of hazing are the students’ wanting to be accepted, and they will do just about anything to feel that they belong.

The element of wanting to achieve certain status can play a major role in hazing as it is in the case of a student joining a high school. This in itself marks a transition from one status to another as it is the desire of every student to advance from one level of education to another. Moreover, the need to become a member of a group like friends, sports and study groups may necessitate a student to go out of way and do all that it takes to be accepted. In such a case, a student results in being subjected to necessary trials in becoming a member of a group, attaining the desired status and thus completing the process of building their new identity.

The causes of hazing, a need of wanting to fit in by the students, no interest from college administrators and the fraternities unwillingness to break tradition, are all making incidents all too common in campuses today. If only there was a way to join a fraternity, without giving away your life in return. Hazing can be stopped if three major solutions are exercised by fraternities and the colleges that they are at. These solutions are better education about fraternity hazing, stricter laws to prevent hazing from occurring, and more intervention from college administrators. Hazing will continue to exist if college fraternities allow it to. One solution that will make hazing less common is better education on hazing for both fraternities and society. Fraternities are looked upon as groups of adolescent males, surrounded by "oceans of beer; loud music; sweating and willing women" (DeParle 39). Although, fraternities were founded to be "...an organization that stresses fund-raising and community service, as well as being a social outlet for members..."(Fraternity Chapter Starts " I1). If fraternities are tired of being stereotyped, then they have to work hard in changing their reputation. Fraternities have to show society that they do have a beneficial purpose, and that they are not all about beer and women. There are a number of college campuses, in

"Don’t force yourself to fit in where you don’t belong." When it comes to hazing, many believe that it is nothing more but some witless tricks and inoffensive pranks. However, hazing (humiliating and sometimes dangerous initiation rituals, especially as imposed on college students seeking memberships to a fraternity or sorority) has always been captivated as a secretive college activity when it comes to join fraternities, sororities, military institutions, sport teams and other social groups. Tremendously dangerous which may result in a life or even death situation. Hazing in universities across the globe has become a powerful, dangerous act that is becoming more and more effective day by day. Thus, In order to prevent pain, harm/physical