Would You Stop Hazing?

March 11, 2009 Posted in Reality

Unfortunately, hazing and college go together almost as seamlessly as Solo cups and Natty Light. Fraternities and sororities get most of the attention, but hazing activities pop up all across campus. Sports teams, student groups… even student government hazes new members in some way.

By Lauren

According to StopHazing.org, hazing is defined as “any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.” That can include everything from going to an event in costume to being thrown off a roof between two matresses (and yes, that did happen at my school).

In its original form, hazing was used to create a bond between a group of people. Basically, older members would put their new recruits through obstacles in attempts to force them to band together against their oppressors. And in theory it works – how many times during middle school did you and your classmates band together when faced with an evil teacher or, better, a sub?

The problem is that it has gone too far. Students are getting injured and sometimes even killed during acts of hazing. ABC recently did a study on this where they brought hazing out into the open to see if people would step up and stop the cruel acts. And what happened?

Well, when men were being hazed most people stepped in to stop it. When women were being hazed, however, most people stood by and watched, letting the poor girls be humiliated and hurt. It was a spectacle and people wanted to see what happened next.

It was horrifying and difficult to watch, but it made me realize that I have done this many times. Not only was I hazed as a freshman (mostly benign things like dressing up or being an older girl’s “slave”), but I knew about many other kids being hazed and never did anything about it. I wrote it off as just another thing that “everyone goes through” and let it continue. Yes, even when it was happening in front of me.

Campuses have cracked down on hazing recently, but it has not stopped. Could this be because we, the people closest to it, allow it to go on?

Every college student has encountered hazing in some way, so I’d like to know: would you stop hazing if you saw it? If not, why? Let it all out in the comments.

175807 CommentsWould+You+Stop+Hazing%3F2009-03-11+15%3A39%3A16Lauren+-+University+of+Michigan on "Would You Stop Hazing?"

Sarah says:
Wed, 11th Mar 20097:09 am

I saw that segment on ABC about hazing (on their show, "What Would You Do") and I could not believe the public's reactions. The fact that everyone stepped in to rescue the humiliated boys LIGHTYEARS before anyone did anything for the girls was astonishing. As if girls deserve to be humiliated and have alcohol poured all over their nearly naked bodies covered in marker circling their fat. The only time anyone stepped in was when one of the actresses that was being hazed would start crying. Oh no! Now they're crying?! It's not funny anymore!

To answer your question: Yes, I would most definitely step in if I witnessed hazing out in the open–whether it involved a fraternity or a sorority. I'm sure there are much better ways to inspire bonding and friendship among a group of people other than giving them a common enemy. I used to do team-building exercises at the camp I worked at, and those worked WONDERS in comparison to hazing, I'm sure. Plus, they build confidence and problem solving skills rather than self-esteem issues and hatred.

Suzy says:
Wed, 11th Mar 20093:07 pm

Hazing occurs in many different ways…as long as no one is hurt, why should you stop it? The person being hazed ALWAYS has the option of walking away.

Angela says:
Thu, 12th Mar 20096:49 am

Humiliating and degrading a group of people is not the way I would like to create bonds. Honestly, it's made me bitter against those who did it to me. It was never anything physical; it was just mentally exhausting.

I have no position in stopping it in my organization, but I have abstained from anything of the sort. They use the mentality that "I had to do it, so they should to." What a load of crap.

Delarue says:
Wed, 13th May 20094:27 am

Isn't hazing banned in most American states?
http://www.sos-bizutage.com ("bizutage" means hazing in French)

Rose says:
Wed, 12th Aug 200912:46 am

I think I saw of the ABC News Study you mentioned.

I can't honestly say that I would intervene if I witnessed a hazing situation. At the college level, I would think and hope that an individual is strong enough to go against the group and stop what they were asked or forced to do.

I think I'd only intervene if the situation involved violence and the participant was unable to do anything against the situation (trapped, bondage, etc).

I can't imagine why anybody would continue to participate in activities that are degrading, embarrassing, and potentially harmful. Who'd want somebody treating you like that to become your "brothers," "sisters," or main social group?

Carlos Kelly says:
Sun, 4th Jul 20107:47 am

Team building is really necessary for a very successful implementation of business plans.;-"

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