HAZING

All of us suffer a form of problem, calamity or misfortune in our

lives, and in such moments, our friends and comrades are always there
to help us. The difference in hazing is that, you suffer a problem,
calamity misfortune caused by your so-called friends and comrades.
As far as I know, Fraternity in the early times is kind of
brotherhood, it is where they formed a group of friends to help each
one of them, where members must bond, interact and live together
over the period of the college life or for some High School life. This club
becomes a place for members to meet, socialize and create friendship
amongst other members. As a result, each member gains recognition,
sense of belonging in a family and an ability to feel needed and
wanted by the club.
One of the most controversial legacies left to the modern
fraternity or sorority by past generations is the tradition of physical,
psychological, or emotional testing of its potential members as a rite of
passage to full membership. Here in the Philippines, Fraternity refers to
a ‘Gang o Gangster’, but not all. They call that such name because of
their violent crime done. Hazing has always been seen as a secretive
campus activity when it comes to fraternities and pledging. Indeed,
joining a fraternity or sorority is not an easy one. In fact, it is very
difficult physically and psychologically. Each organization has its own
recruitment and initiation procedure which consists of group and
individual activities. Generally, this is a long process lasting for weeks or
even months. There are requirements for entering a fraternity and
sorority.
However, the problem with initiation is that hazing is believed to
be a part of it. This is the most critical controversy known by the public
when joining a fraternity and sorority. In fact, there have been cases
brought to court as regards students under initiation who died because
of hazing.
Actions of hazing include: keeping dates and time of initiation a
secret, making pledges use separate entrances to the house, paddling
or striking, telephone duty, treasure hunts, road trips, forcing exercise,
forced to carry items such as bricks, rocks, matches, coins, books,
paddles, forced to eat or drink disgusting materials, working parties,
preventing personal hygiene, physical harassment such as pushing,
cursing or shouting, attending in a Hell week activities before being
initiated, practice periods of silence, and any other activity. All of these
may result in physical, emotional, or mental distress.