The Aspects of Hazing

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The word hazing connotes a variety of different meanings depending on the stance one takes. Some people assume hazing provides the possible prospect of bonding and social acceptance. Others conclude hazing creates a dividend between the society of fraternity and sorority organizations. No matter what direction one takes, both sides have the ability to propose a positive solution that will effectively help the effects of hazing. Once a personal analyzes the positive and negative aspects of hazing then he or she has the ability to propose a solution that will benefit both sides of hazing. The word hazing originates from a time during the 16th century when sailors would taunt new sailors during hazy weather. Hazing made its appearance long before sorority and fraternity members could remember. In fact hazing has existed, “since the medieval universities were founded” (Nuwer 194). Hazing in colleges; however, became more widely known after the Civil War. Men, who fought in the war, felt the need to have a connection to the events that happened to their own fathers or themselves. These men would re-instate themselves into their colleges and begin using military tactics they learned from camp as a means of hazing. Paddling, a method for hazing new fraternity members, comes from a long line of disciplinary punishments made to toughen the soldiers. People also hazed in colleges due to the fact that after the war so many had lost a sense of a tight community and wanted a familial brotherhood or sisterhood bond. Therefore, older fraternity and sorority members continue to haze, if only as means of a bonding experience. When one undergoes the ritual of hazing he or she submits his or herself to ridicule, embarrassment, and trickery. Hazin... ... middle of paper ... ...sorority sisters cannot undergo harmful incidents, but yet still create a sense community Works Cited “Arguments For and Against.” 2012. Hazing. Cornell. edu. Cornell University. N.p. Web. 11 Nov 2013. Chaffin , Ashley. “Fraternity pledge details UA’s culture of hazing” The Crimson White. 16. Oct. 2012 N.p.. Web. 9 Nov 2013. Colbi, Michael J. “On Hazing.” Public Affairs Quarterly, Vol. 23.2 (April 2009): 143-160. JSTOR. Web. 5 Nov. 2013 Ellison, Richard. Moore, Richard H. “On Initiation Rites and Power: Ralph Ellison Speaks At West Point.” Contemporary Literature, Vol. 15. No. 2 (Spring 1964): 165-186. JSTOR. Web. 13 Nov. 2013 Lundeen, Richard. Hazing: Rituals of Bondage. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013. Print. Nuwer, Hank. Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking. Indiana University Press, 2001. Print.

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