Hazing: A Major Issue In The Unites States
by: Calvin Smith
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Fraternities Hazing is an extremely serious issue on college campuses across the United States, and needs to be addressed by college administrators and national fraternity advisors. For years, young men have been forced to do things against their will in order to gain acceptance into fraternal groups. It is assumed that this practice is one of the past; however, hazing is still occurring in college groups throughout the country. More than 55 percent of college students involved in clubs teams and organizations have experienced hazing(Madden and Allan). Numerous negative consequences occur when individuals perform harmful acts against their will. The worst aspect of hazing is that more often than not, the individuals invovled don't report any foul play in fear of rejection from his or her respective organizations. Of the students being hazed, seventy five percent of them said there wasn’t anything wrong with what was going on , and felt that it built a bond of brotherhood (Madden and Allan). For example, in an incident at Chico State University where a man was killed from ingesting massive quantities of water, members of the fraternity spoke out by saying that these activities had been going on for years and they thought it wasn’t a big deal (Korry). |
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Older
members of fraternal organizations often feel that hazing seems
necessary to build brotherhood and character until an unfortunate
incident occurs. Their viewpoints are suddenly changed when a
tragedy occurs like that at Chico State University. When the
young man at Chico State University was found dead, the brothers
of the fraternity who were charged with his death responded in court by
saying "Hazing isn't funny, it's not cute. It's stupid, dangerous. It's
not about brotherhood, it's about power and control."(Korry). Safe
methods exist for members to learn the fundamentals on which the
fraternity is founded without involving demeaning punishment. Most fraternities have rituals which are imperative for members to learn so that they can comprehend their roles as well as the traditions of the fraternity. Many methods can be utilized other than hazing, in which members can learn the importance of a Greek organization. Learning and exercising the rituals and traditions of a fraternity should never endanger any of its members mentally or physically. The fundamental principles on which all national fraternities embrace never refer to hazing an uninitiated individual. According to fraternity manuals, there are no explanations for any form of punishment, and mistreatment f any kind is rejected from its practices. Hazing is wrong, dangerous and can even cause a fraternity to lose privileges. In severe cases, the college or university can actually remove the organization from campus. Unfortunately, fraternity hazing, which is publicized by the media, is also taking place in other clubs and organizations in America. |
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Military Hazing Fifty five percent of college students involved in clubs, teams, and other organizations have experienced hazing (Madden and Allan). Forty seven percent of college students have experienced hazing before entering college (Madden and Allan). This could account for the fact that some people assume that hazing is not a huge problem due to the fact that they have encountered this form punishment before arriving to college. Therefore, this suggests to many that this type of treatment is acceptable. Some forms of hazing are taking place and are accepted in almost every organization in America The armed forces is a primary setting where these hazing incidents are occurring. The marine corps have court marshaled more than eighty members since 1994(McIntyre).For many years, rituals which torture and persecute men have been occurring in the military. Enlisted men have been forced to participate in a ritual called blood winging which was caught on tape. In the video, taken in 1991 at a training camp for Marine paratroopers in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, a group of men can be seen performing a forbidden ceremony in which they pin paratrooper jump wings directly into others' chests. Marines were shown writhing and crying out in pain as others pounded the spiked medals into their chests through tee-shirts(McIntyre). |
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Hazing In the military, where the most respected men in America are working to protect our country, hazing is occurring. This could be the reason that other organizations feel this type of behavior is acceptable. Professional sports figures are some of the most valued men in America, and act as role models for many. However, some of these men in the National Football league, have been involved in several forms of hazing. Two rookie members of the Tennessee Titan football team were forced to shave there heads for their right of initiation onto the team(Zeigler). All though this may seems harmless to the football players involved, the children who observe their sports idols may assume it is normal to haze their peers in this fashion. Although the majority of the publicized incidents occur in college fraternities, hazing is taking place in numerous organizations across America. This humiliating practice can affect a person mentally, and even physically, for his or her entire life. Action must be taken now to end the pain and suffering. Members of fraternities must take steps to end this practice immediately, and administrators of colleges must impose strict punishments on groups who continue this practice. |