Fraternity Hazing

1002 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effect of hazing

Fraternity Hazing

When most people hear the term "hazing" it brings up images of fraternities, or they just don’t know what it is. In even though hazing occurs in many places including fraternities and sororities, the military, athletic teams and student organizations (marching bands) at both the high school and collegiate levels. Many believe that hazing in fraternities and in general are nothing more than silly tricks and harmless pranks like those from the 1980s hit comedy Animal House. The realities of hazing are severely different than the witty images many people associate with them. Hazing is an abuse of power that can have weakening and life-threatening consequences. According to the research presented by Hank Nuwer (1990), journalist and author of several books related to hazing, hazing has been associated with more than fifty deaths in college fraternities and countless more physical injuries including paralysis, not to mention the devastating emotional effects that can result for so many young men and women.

The most commonly asked questions about hazing in fraternities are, why do young men and women participate in such horrific and life-threatening activities just to belong to a group? This seems like a reasonable question--but it reveal the lack of understanding about the dynamics of the hazing process. Many states have passed legislation to forbid hazing; having noticed that the power of peer pressure prevents hazing victims from giving true permission to participate in the activities. Also, many potential members don't realize and are not informed of what the pledging process and hazing will involve because this information is covered in secrecy by the brotherhood. This combined with the increasing har...

... middle of paper ...

...ited States in all forms of groups, and at colleges that have hazing now as a part of a ritual to get in a fraternity. There should be a “class” that teaches about hazing and have students come in and speak that have hazed and the consequences that they were faced with, and students that have received the hazing activities.

CQ Researcher Hansen, B. (2004, January 9). Hazing. The CQ Researcher Online, 14, 1-24. Retrieved February 18, 2004, from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher.

How do we stop hazing? February 15, 2004

http://www.alfred.edu/news/stop_hazing/stop_hazing.html

How do we stop hazing? February 15, 2004

http://www.alfred.edu/news/stop_hazing/stop_hazing.html

“Woman touts anti-hazing law as late son's legacy.” Jefferson City News Tribune 16 February 2004

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2004/02/16/news_state/0216040025.txt

Show More
Related

  • Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    In "Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture" Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade analyze the social perspective of the gendered relations in male fraternities that add to the high rate of violence against women on many college campuses. They list a host of factors that distinguish higher-risk from lower-risk atmospheres discussing the rates of rape in colleges and state how "1 out of 4 college women say they were raped or experienced an attempted rape" (217). Additionally, "1 out of 12 college men say they forced a woman to have sexual intercourse against her will" (Boswell, Spade 217). In other words Boswell and Spade indicated that the rates were high when it came down to women getting raped in colleges by men who also attended those colleges. In addition, Boswell and Spade specify in how most people are aware of rape but know very little about rape culture (Boswell, Spade 217).

    Read More

  • The Pressures Girls Face Within College Sororities

    1417 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the many forms of dangerous pressures girls face from their membership in a sorority is body image. Being a member of an organization with typically 100 women opens the door for pressure to conform to a certain ideal look. Forms of hazing often would include activities that brought down the girls’ self-confidence. “During circle the fat, pledges undress and, one by one, stand in front of the entire sorority membership. The sisters (or, in some chapters, fraternity brothers) then use thick black markers to circle the fat or cellulite on a pledge’s body....For many sororities, thinness, as the pledges discover, is a priority” (Robbins 259). These types of activities are not uncommon for sororities. From day one of pledging, the idea of having a perfect body is obsessed over. Even girls with healthy, fit bodies are criticized just as much for the sake of the upper classmen to break them down, so they could build them back up they way they want. Its manipulating and confusing. The pressure to be accepted by the sorority was a common outcome from the priority of perfection, which could also lead to eating disorders. A study was done and found that “the most consistent finding was...

    Read More

  • Sorority Application Letter

    513 Words  | 2 Pages

    Day in and day out we hear about high school and college students wanting to pursue a sorority and/or a fraternity based on the stereotypes these organizations uphold, well I chose to differ. I told myself if I ever decided to become a member of a sorority it would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, which are qualities I have chosen to uphold. From my perspective, I encourage myself to maintain a respectable appearance and reputation which doing so inspires me to embrace my self-concept; which helps me confidently excel academically and professionally as a “lady of distinction” and “exemplary character.” Most importantly, I continuously remain involved in community service, being involved allows me the opportunity to learn and understand the lives and circumstances of others by opening my mind, heart, and soul. Overall these qualities strengthen my passion to be a member of the prestigious Alp...

    Read More

  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Analysis

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    If granted the opportunity to become a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. I expected to become a better man once finishing the member in take process. Throughout the process I expect to develop many different skills that I can carry throughout life. I would like to become more professional as well as to enhance my networking skills. I expect to become more hands on in different charity events that I’m not familiar with. I would like to improvement my personal status and security, and the meeting of the everyday demands of living.

    Read More

  • Fraternities: The Discourse Community

    842 Words  | 2 Pages

    That standard of academic excellence pushes you to become a great student, “if students want to become affiliated with academic discourse communities, or even if they want to succeed in school, they have to make considerable sacrifices,” (Johns 326). Johns’ outline of success academic discourse communities is on point. Fraternities are academic communities along with social. Much sacrificed time has to be taken to be apart and contribute to fraternity, for example a leadership role. A fraternity offers many opportunities of leadership opportunities.

    Read More

  • The Rape Culture of College Fraternities

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    When you are a senior is high school your main focuses are finishing your college applications and if your a girl of course prom, you don't realize you are a year away from entering college and the world of "rape culture". It is said that rape culture exists because we don't believe it does. Rape culture is defined as "an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture." We already have an idea that in colleges where sports is glorified that some professors will allow athletes to get away with numerous things from cheating to missing numerous classes but fraternity events can be high risk for rape. First I will summarize "Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why Are Some Fraternities More Dangerous Places for Women?" written by A. Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Space. Then I will use information from my criminology class to better define violent crime . Lastly, I will explain rape on campuses is not a cultural component. Colleges should hold clubs such as fraternities and sports to the same level than others and be harshly punished for crimes they commit so they don't feel more superior and think they can get away with rape.

    Read More

  • Hazing Cases and Qualified Immunity

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hazing is defined as “any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.” (Rosner & Crow, p. ). While most states have enacted anti-hazing legislation criminalizing the act of hazing, the application of these statutes is still quite rare. Id. at 277. Most lawsuits filed for reported hazing incidents are still reviewed under federal law claims ...

    Read More

  • Maus by Art Spiegelman

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    Granted luck did play a part in the novel, the major factors that kept Vladek alive were his resourcefulness and quick-thinking. Specifically, his ability to save items for the times to come. When Vladek was in an overcrowded cattle train, he used the thin, tattered blanket they had given him earlier, and “climbed to somebody’s shoulder and hooked it strong” above the other prisoners in the cattle car (Spiegelman, 245). This allowed Vladek the opportunity to “rest and breat...

    Read More

  • Bioterrorism with Smallpox

    2341 Words  | 5 Pages

    Medical College of Wisconsin. “Facts About Anthrax and Smallpox as Bioterrorism Weapons.” Healthlink. 12 Nov. 2001. Medical College of Wisconsin. 24 July 2008 .

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson: More than a President

    1597 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 to Peter and Jane Jefferson who lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains in colonial America. He was the eldest of two sons and six daughters. His father was a surveyor with little formal education and owned property including 60 slaves. Jane, his mother, was from a very distinguished family. His father died when Jefferson was fourteen, and he left to learn Latin and Greek with a nearby teacher. In 1760, he started school at the College of William and Mary where he kept a rigorous academic schedule including: fifteen hours of studying primarily law, three hours of practicing violin, and six hours of sleeping and eating (“Jefferson” 323). Through this education, “He was laying a foundation for his future career as an...

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson

    1168 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the age of nine Thomas Jefferson began his schooling, which his mother and father both felt was important. His parents sent Jefferson off to a boarding school with Reverend William Douglas in Northam, Virginia. Although Jefferson was not fond of his teacher he continued with schooling learning manners as well as Greek, Latin, and French. At the age of fourteen while Jefferson was still in schooling his father was stricken with an illness and died

    Read More

  • Fraternity Appeal

    821 Words  | 2 Pages

    It brings me great displeasure to write this appeal due to the circumstances of my unwarranted suspension from a fraternity I hold dear to my heart. I became a member of the fall 2015 class falling in love with both my brothers and the fraternity. The past year I formed an unbreakable bond and accumulated numeral unforgettable experiences. I even got the pleasure to read The Phoenix and enjoy the beautiful and adventurous history of our fraternity. This all came to a shattering halt when the alumni of the ILBE Chapter persecuted for violating our Membership Agreement.

    Read More

  • A Case Against Government Gun Control

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    When America was founded in 1776 there were a few reasons behind the Revolution that freed America from Britain. The British wanted to remain in control of this small country because they began to see the potential of business starting there. As the Americans started to see this they realized they were going to have to fight their way to freedom. With growing taxes, growing hostility from british solders, and others laws being enforced, America had enough. But what was the line that was crossed that started this? Gun control. As Britain realized it would be very difficult to enforce laws on a very well armed populous with small amounts of solders, they began to take all the gun powder. This being that all the guns in this time were made to fire with gun powder. This also would begin their attempt to take ammo and guns too. Angered by this, americans revolted, the Boston Tea Party, a...

    Read More

  • Mass School Shootings in America

    500 Words  | 1 Pages

    Bullying, often dismissed as a normal part of growing up, is a real problem in our nation's schools, according to the National School Safety Center. One out of every four schoolchildren endures taunting, teasing, pushing, and shoving daily from schoolyard bullies. More than 43 percent of middle- and high-school students avoid using school bathrooms for fear of being harassed or assaulted. Old-fashioned schoolyard hazing has escalated to instances of extortion, emotional terrorism, and kids toting guns to school. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of all incidents of school violence begin with verbal conflicts, w...

    Read More

  • A New Positive Look at Hazing

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    Meaningless insults and unnecessary abuse occurs often while growing up. No matter what age, sex, or race a person maybe it is hard to escape the nastiness of others. Today children are growing up in a society that knows how to haze before they know the meaning of the word. Hazing ranged from little humiliating actions to something more serious such as drunken activities. There are many hazing incidents that go too far but for the most part hazing is silly tasks that does not seriously harm anyone. Some hazing cases include isolation, drills, not letting the pledges shower, and depriving them from sleep for a day or so. Hazing comes in many strengths and variations and in every way it will help build the ...

    Read More

More about Fraternity Hazing

Open Document