INTRODUCTION

The paddle: a classic device used to haze in fraternities

Hazing is a pervasive and encompassing issue that faces a variety

of organizations across sports, the military, and colleges. In college,
hazing is an especially sensitive topic because the activity finds itself
immersed in Greek life, specifically in fraternity life. Varying from
college to college and organization to organization, the definition of
hazing cannot be pinpointed to a single, unified understanding in the
eyes of the law. For example, Cornell University, the state of New
York, and California State Polytechnic University all possess
distinctly different definitions of hazing in their laws (Kershnar 88).
However, despite legal technicalities varying, a general definition of
hazing can be defined as simply “the abuse of new or prospective
members” (Cimino 241). Hazing exists and has remained an integral
part of fraternity pledging through the years despite universities
prohibiting it. Some fraternities have adapted to changing policies
surrounding hazing but others have not, continuing a tradition of
degradation that rewards in initiation. As administrators, Greeks, and
parents try to sift through the information on hazing and make a
decision regarding whether it is detrimental, the practice has
continued to grow into a more intricate issue as individuals realize
that a line exists between innocent, harmless hazing and dangerous,
deadly hazing. Rooted in thousands of years of history, hazing is a
complex issue, possessing both positive and negative qualities;
however, as hazing becomes an increasingly publicized issue,
administrators are forced to forbid hazing in their institutes, despite a
line existing between harmful and harmless hazing.
 DEFINITION

Hazing is any action or situation, with or without the consent of the

participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally
endangers the mental, physical, or academic health or safety of a
student.

This includes, but is not limited to any situation which:

 Creates a risk of injury to any individual or group

 Causes discomfort to any individual or group
 Causes embarrassment to any individual or group
 Involves harassment of any individual or group
 Involves degradation of any individual or group
 Involves humiliation of an individual or group
 Involves ridicule of an individual or group
 Involves or includes the willful destruction or removal of public
or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission
into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued
membership in an organization

It includes physical injury, assault or battery, kidnapping or

imprisonment, intentionally placing at risk of mental or emotional
harm (putting “over the edge”), degradation, humiliation, the
compromising of moral or religious values, forced consumption of any
liquid or solid, placing an individual in physical danger (at risk)
which includes abandonment, and impairment of physical liberties
which include curfews or other interference with academic
endeavors.
SIGNS THAT HAZING MAY BE OCCURRING

 Cutting, branding, labeling, or shaving of parts of the body

 Required carrying of certain items

 Loss of voice due to having to yell

 Performing of special tasks for the members or others

 Required attendance at late night work sessions, resulting in
sleep deprivation

 Not coming home for days or weeks at a time

 Physical exhaustion from multiple sit ups, running, or other

calisthenics
 Appearance of mental exhaustion or withdrawal from normal
lifestyle; change in personality

 Appearance of sadness or expressions of inferiority

 Withdrawal from normal activities or friends

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAZING

 82% of deaths from hazing involve alcohol, according to noted

hazing expert Hank Nuwer
 Hazing is often about power and control. Hazers have a need to
feel powerful and in control
 Individuals cannot consent to being hazed
 Hazing motivates no one. It hinders academic achievement,
destroys self-esteem and causes emotional strain and physical
harm
 Hazing builds animosity between people and does nothing to
foster trust, unity or respect. It simply makes better hazers
 You can never be sure you know the physical or mental
background of an individual and what the effects of hazing for
that person might be
 Just because a majority of the members of an organization are
not involved in a hazing incident does not mean the organization
is not responsible
  Hazing is not just associated with athletes and Greek–letter
organizations. It occurs across a wide spectrum of organizations
 One class can break the "tradition" of hazing- it just takes some
courage and integrity to do what is right

If you have been hazed, have witnessed hazing, or suspect that

someone you know has been hazed, you can report your observations
confidentially to university officials.

TYPES OF HAZING
The following are some examples of hazing divided into three categories: subtle,
harassment, and violent. It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors
because many are context-specific. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides
some common examples of hazing traditions.

Subtle Hazing
Subtle hazing is behavior that emphasizes a power imbalance between new
members/rookies and other members of the group or team. Termed “subtle hazing”
because these types of hazing are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless”
or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach
reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the
receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New
members/rookies often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the
group or team. (Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment
hazing).

Some Examples
  Deception
 Assigning demerits
 Silence periods with implied threats for violation
 Deprivation of privileges granted to other members
 Requiring new members/rookies to perform duties not assigned to other
members
 Socially isolating new members/rookies
 Line-ups and drills/tests on meaningless information
 Name calling

Requiring new members/rookies to refer to other members with titles (e.g. “Mr.,”
“Miss”) while they are identified with demeaning terms

Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession

Harassment Hazing

Harassment hazing is behavior that causes emotional anguish or physical

discomfort to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates,
and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. (Some types of harassment
hazing can also be considered violent hazing).

Some Examples

 Verbal abuse
 Threats or implied threats
 Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
 Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
 Expecting new members/rookies to perform personal service to other
members such ascarrying books, errands, cooking, cleaning, etc.
 Sleep deprivation
 Sexual simulations
  Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a normal
schedule of bodily cleanliness
 Be expected to harass others

Violent Hazing

Violent hazing is behavior that has the potential to cause physical and/or
emotional, or psychological harm.

Some Examples

 Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption

 Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
 Branding
 Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
 Burning
 Water intoxication
 Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
 Public nudity
 Expecting illegal activity
 Bondage
 Abductions/kidnaps
 Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection
Have you ever wondered where hazing started? You probably think
it’s a recent phenomenon that exploded due to the rise of popular
media and culture. However, it’s not as recent as you may think.
Hazing has a deeper history than most realize.

Believe it or not but hazing started back in the Greek times. It can be
traced back to Plato. It all started with the founding of his school
Plato’s Academy way back in 387 B.C. Hazing at the time was called
pennalism. Pennalism means “a system of mild oppression and torment
practiced upon first year students” (Collins Dictionary). A definition
that sounds very similar to hazing.

Plato even criticized pennalism (or hazing) by saying “practical jokes

played by unruly young men that injured the hazed and citizens who
got in the way” (Sterner).

Believe it or not, pennalism (hazing at the time) continued throughout

the middle ages as well.

The whole practice was eventually put in place to get new students to
recognize their inferiority to the upperclassmen. They would go
through physical abuse and sometimes humiliation to the
upperclassmen’s enjoyment. Just reading this makes me wonder why
upperclassmen would think it’s a good idea? Maybe it relates to the
importance of social status and other similar factors.

As pennalism counited throughout the years, it eventually evolved into

hazing. It became to be known as hazing during 1684, when one
student was expelled for it (Sterner). He became the first Harvard
student to be expelled because of hazing, by hitting students and
having them perform acts of servitude. This seems quite tame when
compared to modern day hazing.

Hazing continued throughout the years but gain more light in the first
quarter of the nineteenth century, when other groups besides
fraternities started doing it. The first groups to do this were literacy
clubs that performed childish pranks and other minor jokes that most
people do today. This all changed in the nineteenth and twentieth
century, when social fraternities started this practice. Social
fraternities were similar to those of modern fraternities today.

This practice continued throughout the years until 1912, when hazing
related deaths became common. So common in fact that a reporter
from the London Post considered it a big problem. Mostly news articles
and experts started to realize it’s a bigger problem and were looking to
change it. By figuring out why these fraternities are hazing and finding
solutions to the problem. This eventually lead educators and schools to
crack down on fraternities.

All of those facts just shows how embedded hazing is in our culture.
Hazing has just been there in the background and has been forgotten.
There was a change however and it happened during World War 1.

Hazing eventually died down at the brink of World War 1. However, it

didn’t last long. After World War 2 and one incident made it clear to
the public that hazing is terrible. It all started at Kappa Sigma; a
fraternity at the University of Virginia, when Richard Swanson
choked to death when being forced feed a quarter-pound of raw liver.
This made headlines and more criticisms were put towards fraternities
and the practice in general.

It wasn’t until the Vietnam War when hazing stopped for a brief time.
The Vietnam War was a time of unrest and protest. This protest lead
many college kids to think about greater issues and forget about
fraternities and hazing. Although hazing declined it didn’t stop it
entirety. After the Vietnam War fraternities started up again and using
alcohol as a hazing ingredient. This changed hazing and the practice as
well.
After alcohol was involved in hazing it changed what is was originally
about. These practices were just harassment then changed to more life
threating. From eating raw liver to drinking as much alcohol you can
in 90 minutes, it uses techniques new and old. Overall, these techniques
seem to range from humiliation to serious and life threating.

I would have never thought hazing reached all the way back into
history. Most people including I thought that it started by movies and
other popular media with films like Animal House and others. These
aspects of popular culture just made hazing popular instead of starting
this practice and made people aware of hazing.

These findings show that hazing is a bigger issue than most people
thought.

Hazing is an issue throughout most college campuses, and it can be

hard to stop for most people. Teachers, staff, and even students are fed
up with hazing. They all see it as outdated, useless, and above all
stupid. Most of these fraternities say they do it for “good” reasons like
unity, brotherhood, and other “reasons”. Overall, hazing is just bad in
general and one that’s has a deep history.

Hazing has been an issue throughout history. Its roots are deep within
college history and it may seem hard to dig up it and stop it. However,
there are ways to stop hazing, but it will take time. As history repeats
itself and we could reach a point where hazing could stop, but it will
take time.
 CAUSES OF HAZING
Number One: Conforming or Obeying Authority. This follows the idea
that people feel the need to please those who are above them. It could
be anyone from a coach, to an older teammate, or an older active
member of a fraternity or sorority. Pleasing people to become a part of
an organization may seem okay at first, but if hazing becomes active, it
can quickly change to a very dangerous situation.

Number Two: Cognitive Dissonance. This internal mind conflict can

apply to both the person being hazed, and the one doing the hazing.
Cognitive Dissonance is defined as “mental stress or discomfort
experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory
beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time, or is confronted by new
information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values
(Wikipedia.org). In short, knowing that hazing is wrong and
continuing to be a part of it in anyway causes this sort of mental
distress. But the peer pressure of others pushes past the mental
discomfort everyone may have on the subject.

Number Three: The Cycle of Abuse. Hazing is often seen as a right of

passage; in order to be accepted, new members of an organization must
suffer. Though the initial point in where hazing begins in an
organization may be unclear, once it starts it can be very difficult to
break the chain, simply because most see it as only fair to make the
incoming class go through the equal amount of hazing they did. In
order for someone to earn their place in an organization it has to be
earned the same way everyone else earned it. If that isn’t something
the new member can handle, it is made to look as though they are
unfit for the organization, based on things that aren’t fair and are
completely irrelevant to the organizations true purpose.

Number Four: Acceptance Needed for Self-Esteem. Everyone has

people they fit in better with. Being a part of an organization gives
someone that sense of belonging. People are more likely to tolerate the
hazing if it is for something they desperately wish to be a part of.
Others are known to need that organization or what is represents to
define them. For example: if someone wants to play a college sport but
the seniors on the team make someone their slave for the first year,
that person would be more likely to tolerate it to play the sport they
love, or to keep their scholarship. Or if someone is pledging a sorority
they are a legacy of they may be more likely to put up with the
bullying to continue the legacy and to please the family.

Number Five: Ignorance to Alternate Choices. People just aren’t aware

that you can simply say no. Getting out of the situation, or telling
someone who might help eliminate the situation does not make
someone any less in they eyes of the public, despite popular opinion or
what those in the organization may tell the victim. This specific reason
is the main goal of the Green Dot program on campus. To prove that
hazing does not have to be given into. Hazing can be walked away
from, even if that means the victim has to be helped given that they
aren’t strong enough to walk away on their own. Green Dot provides
strategies for both the victim and bystander to help those in this
situation get out and away from the organization unharmed
physically, mentally and emotionally.
 Psychological Consequences for Victims of
Hazing
It’s natural for people to want to join groups and fit in with their
peers. College students, especially, may feel a real need to fit in and be
a part of their campus’ activities. They may feel that being a part of a
group, like a sorority, fraternity, or athletic team will bring them
security and protection. Perhaps they have and athletic scholarship,
and are excited to join the college team. However, they may be
stunned to find out the types on initiation they may be expected to
endure in order to join. They may be shocked and frightened, but lack
the skills or strength to resist the pressure to endure the abuse and
humiliation that is a part of hazing. Those who are subjected to hazing
behaviors or events as teens or young adults may experience negative
emotional and psychological reactions for months or even years,
depending on the person and the type of trauma experienced.

High school and college students can sustain physical injuries, and
can even die as a result of hazing. While death or serious physical
injury is less common, 71% of those who are hazed do suffer from
negative consequences (Consequences of Hazing, 2014). One of the
hallmarks, and most devastating features of hazing, is degradation and
humiliation. Causing them to perform humiliating acts is common,
and the resulting shame can have lasting effects. These negative
consequences may include:
 Sleep problems including insomnia
 Difficulty forming relationships or trusting others
 Decreased self-esteem and self-efficacy
 Depression, anxiety, self-harming
 Loss of sense of control and empowerment, feeling more like a
victim than they did before the hazing
 Lower grades and poorer performance in classes
 Problems in relationships with friends, significant others, and
family
 Post-traumatic stress syndrome (including symptoms of re-
experiencing the traumatyic event, nightmares, flashbacks,
avoidance of reminders of the event, anxiety)
 Loss of interest in being part of organizations
 Illness or hospitalization (because of psychological or physical
illness/injury)

Psychological symptoms may emerge immediately after the hazing

event(s), or symptoms may appear later. Those who have a history of
trauma may be even more at risk for negative psychological reactions
to hazing. The hazing may trigger reactions to previous victimization,
which can have devastating consequences for the victim.
Unfortunately, someone who has been the victim of hazing is also
more likely to haze others on the future (Consequences, 2014). Those
students who do the hazing, and those who watch it happen are also at
risk for psychological trauma and emotional difficulties as a result of
their behavior.

Consequences for Perpetrators and Bystanders

Who are these young people who haze their peers in such
humiliating and dangerous ways? What causes them to behave so
cruelly and how will their behaviors impact them? In many cases,
those who initiate or otherwise participate in hazing are not horrible,
malicious people. They may believe the actions are expected of them,
and that they are carrying on a tradition for their organization.
Ironically, those who haze others can suffer some of the same
psychological consequences as the victims of hazing.

They may experience significant feelings of guilt and shame that

can affect them for some time. Bystanders may experience guilt about
their failure to intervene to help the hazing victim, as well as
symptoms of trauma after witnessing the suffering of the
victim. Those who participate in hazing may experience depression,
decrease in school performance, and ostracism by their peers.
Additionally, perpetrators and bystanders may have legal and
financial consequences for their hazing behaviors, causing stress for
themselves and their family and friends (Hazing, 2014).

Hazing is a widespread problem impacting not only colleges and

universities, but high schools, as well. Rites of passage and initiation
rituals are nothing new, but some of the hazing that goes on is
devastating for victims and their families, and even illegal. Both
victims and those participating in perpetrating the hazing can
experience significant psychological effects including trauma
reactions and shame and guilt. Joining any group, team, or club should
not mean sacrificing your physical or psychological health and well-
being.
 Advantages:
• Academic S uppo rt

Joining Fraternities can be beneficial to your academics, because they

encourage the development of high achievement in the scholastic
department and most have a GPA requirement. They can also help the
members through tutoring and can advise you to the right courses to
take.

• Career opportunities
Some corporate entities place recognition on an applicant’s
involvement in social organ ization. Hence, it can help you advance a
career or get noticed by those who make hiring decisions or
promotions. Also, long-running fraternities’ usually have strong
connection to their alumni. Many alumni, are great networking
sources if you find one in your field.

• Leadership and Responsibility development

As a member of a fraternity, usually you are assigned to some specific
duty. They also encourage every member to contribute in one way, not
only in helping each other out, but in running a national organization.

• Teamwork
In fraternity, you have other fellow members you can work with and
what’s great is that, they always have teamwork. Working together as
a team is a vital success for your college life and business.

• Social Network
Joining a fraternity is simply a way to avoid social isolation. It is a
way for a socially-inclined person to immediately build a bond with
frat brothers and sisters. Also networking is a great benefit of
fraternity affiliation because it gives alumni a base of contacts to use
for their career choices and many opportunities.
 Disadvantages:

• Deal with hazing

Most of the college students who join fraternities experience hazing.
Some common hazing activities could potentially be disgusting and
illegal.Those who participate in fraternities also continue to be
injured and even die from such abuse, and the negative mental health
impact can last for years.

• Membership fees
The heaviest financial you’ll ever experience comes in the first year of
membership, which includes initiation fees. This can be costly,
especially if you are living on your own and have other expenses to pay
for.

• Time commitments
Fraternities demand much of your time. You may wish to join
fraternities if you are good at managing your time.

• Dangerous behaviors
Fraternities are commonly involved in lots of parties and drinking.
This can lead to physical involved as well as posed dangers to others if
members drink and drive. Also, underage members of fraternity face
risks of alcohol-related legal charges if parties get out of hand.

• Limited social reach

In some cases, tightly knit houses limit your ability to branch out and
develop relationships with other students. Thus, joining fraternities
will prevent you to get to know a diverse group of people.

Joining a fraternity or Sorority can be memorable, with lifelong

friends. But of course, make sure you balance the pros and cons first.
 CONCLUSIONS

“It is better to be feared than to be loved if you cannot be both.” (The

Prince, Machiavelli). This famous quote by Niccolo Machiavelli clearly

describes how people who haze think. At first glance the main goal of

people who do hazing may seem to be to just make a person suffer, to

hurt or to simply to cause pain both physically and psychologically

but that is only secondary. The real main goal of hazing is to establish

fear and intimidation. To strike fear and intimidation into the hearts

and minds of the people to make them fear you and thus respect you in

the process that is the main goal of hazing. People who haze think that

by scaring and by hurting people they would earn the persons respect

those who haze forget that respect cannot be forced only earned.

Hazing is the act of executing rites or ceremonies involving physical

and psychological abuse, humiliation and harassment. Hazing is used

as a way of initiating a person or a group of people into a group.

Hazing is commonly used by different social groups such as gangs,

military units, sports teams, fraternities and sororities. Hazing became

rampant in the Philippines around the 90’s era where it was already

common to hear people, mostly students who get seriously injured or

die because of hazing related activities in fraternities, sororities and

other organizations. Aside from being used as an initiation ritual

hazing is also used as the ultimate form of punishment. People who use

hazing as a form of punishment believe that through hurting a person

both physically and psychologically the person who was hazed would

be prone to fewer errors for fear of being hazed again. Hazing is

further used by people to test another person's physical and

psychological strength. People who use hazing to test a person's

physical or psychological strength use hazing to make a person reach

his/her breaking point. The result of that activity is to see if the one

who is hazed will either break from the abuse or become stronger

because of it.

Usually hazing is only believed to be happening when one

person as mentioned before physically or psychologically hurts

another person but there are different kinds of hazing other than the

common physical and psychological abuse. One form of hazing

sometimes unknown to people is the violation of privacy. This type of

hazing happens when the person who is doing the hazing reads

another person’s phone diary, messages or e-mail. Another uncommon

type of hazing is financial hazing wherein the person being hazed is

asked for large or small amounts of money which does not get paid

back. Another form of hazing is making a person consume multiple

amounts of food and water which he/she cannot handle anymore.

Basically there are a lot of different kinds of hazing going on in our

society and some of them are really unknown to the public.

The first solution thought of to address the rampant issues about

hazing Republic Act No. 8049, more commonly known as the Anti-

Hazing law was established. The said law was introduced by

Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and Representative Maximo B.

Rodriguez Jr. and was signed on the year 1995. The said law banned all

forms of hazing and if caught doing physical hazing the person who

hazed could suffer 4 years 2months and 1 day up to lifetime

imprisonment depending on the gravity of the hazing done to another.

Although the Anti-Hazing law was already established hazing still

continues in our society secretly. The second solution which I suggest

would help in the prevention of hazing would be to always have yearly

investigations in all organizations to ensure that no more hazing

occurs. Another solution would be to convince those being hazed to

stand up for their rights regardless of the fear they might have

because if hazing is not stopped immediately it will just keep on

continuing until what happened in the 90’s era happens again in

society. Another solution to this problem would be to educate people

more thoroughly about the effects and punishments for hazing people.

Lastly the simplest solution to the hazing being done in society is just

to stand up for oneself. If people do not allow themselves to be hazed

by their seniors then no hazing will occur. If threatened then people

can always approach those higher than their senior such as the police.

Hazing is really a thorn in our society not only does it cause

severe pain physically and psychologically but it also destroys the

lives of the people being hazed and to an extent the family of the

person who was hazed. Hazing in our society will not stop unless one

person is ready to stand up for his/her rights and also to think about

the future generation after them. If hazing is not stopped if no one

stands up then even the law is useless to society. As the saying goes

“What you allow is what will continue” (Unknown)

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Consequences of hazing. (2014). Retrieved October 14, 2014, from

http://www.babson.edu/student-life/community-
standards/hazing/pages/consequences-of-hazing.aspx

Hazing. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.stophazing.org/

Hazing Hits High Schools. (2014, August 28). Retrieved from

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95999

Jordan, B. (2014, October 15). Chris Christie expects more Sayreville

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http://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2014/10/15/chris-
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Laws and policies about hazing. (2013). Laws and Policies about
Hazing. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/safety/hazing.pdf