Some examples of hazing

• forced use of alcohol
• paddling
• forced excessive fatigue
• physical and psychological shocks
• wearing public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste
• engaging in public stunts
• morally degrading or humiliating games and activities
• name calling, verbal abuse
• threats
• scaring people of what may happen at initiations
• deprivation of privileges

Forms of hazing

Subtle hazing: Activities or attitudes which aim to ridicule, humiliate or embarrass.

Harassment hazing: Anything that causes mental anguish or physical discomfort. It may be any activity which confuses, frustrates or causes undue stress.

How do you decide if something is hazing or not?

• Is alcohol involved?
• Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
• Is there risk of injury?
• Are you unsure whether to describe the activity to your parents or an official?
• Would you object to the activity being photographed or filmed?

Hazing Myths

Myth: Hazing is no more than a foolish prank that sometimes gets out of control.
Fact: Hazing is an act of control over others. It is victimization because it is planned out in advance. It is abusive, degrading and can be life-threatening.

Myth: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect.
Fact: Hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation.

Myth: If someone consents to the activity, it is not hazing.
Fact: Even if someone agrees to the activity, it may not be true consent because of the peer pressure.

Why do some people participate in hazing?

• they want to fit in and belong to the group
• they don’t want to appear as “wimps”
• peer pressure
• for approval within a group
• it seems fun and exciting
• scared to say no

Facts

• Hazing rituals are often overlooked because they are dismissed as traditions and a rite of passage. People take the attitude of “I went through it so you should you.” (Hazing – A High School Tradition or Illegal Activity?).
• Many authority figures (principals, teachers, coaches, etc.) deny that there is a hazing problem within their organizations. With attitudes like this, education is obviously needed to stop these harmful rites of passage (Hazing – A High School Tradition or Illegal Activity?).
• Hazing is now being found in elementary schools. It is affecting younger and younger children (StopHazing).
• Hazing rituals are not the same as team-building activities.

Consequences of hazing

• getting into fights
• injuries
• fighting with parents
• doing poorly on schoolwork
• missing school, practices, meetings, etc.
• hurting others
• difficulty sleeping, eating or concentrating
• considering suicide
• decline in socializing
• getting in trouble with police

Feelings experienced when being hazed:

Positive

• feeling part of the group
• proud
• strong
• trusted
• confident

Negative

• angry
• embarrassed
• confused
• guilty
• regretful
• sad
• vengeful

Ways to stop or change hazing

• It’s not easy to break a hazing tradition. Hazing in any form should not be tolerated.
• Talk to a higher authority (a parent, teacher or police officer). Don’t stop until you are taken seriously.
• Gather up other people you know who are against hazing. Sometimes it is difficult to open the lines of communication but often people around you feel the same way you do.

In order to stop hazing, we need:

• supportive adults to step forward and say that hazing is unacceptable
• strong, disciplinary measures taken against known rituals
• police investigations and prosecution of hazing cases
• more positive bonding activities
• education about positive initiations

Why people don’t report hazing:

• don’t know who to tell
• they don’t believe it is a problem
• adults wouldn’t know how to handle it properly
• fear of retaliation
• don’t want to tell on friends

Links

StopHazing
Hazing – A High School Tradition or Illegal Activity?
Education World