Hazing A Benefit Or Burden

Hazing: A Benefit or Burden

The concept of hazing has long since been a source of debate, yet it has also served as a means of training designed to save lives. Hazing has been around almost as long as mankind but its formal introduction became most apparent in the military. Hazing is used to bring a group of people together as a unit and teach them a great deal of information in a short amount of time. Hazing is designed as a consequence based teaching method where a mistake leads to harassment of some sort. This harassment may include physical or mental discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule, paddling or other forms of physical abuse, excessive fatigue, psychological shocks, chores, involuntary road trips, and any morally degrading games or activities (Interfraternity By-laws). Hazing also develops a high degree of respect from the leader as well as a greater appreciation of the group and its purpose.

“Hazing exists in any army”(Filipov, A28). Unity and respect are imperative when lives are on the line. Hazing turns a group of individuals into a finely tuned machine where all the parts work together as one. “People who volunteer for the service are subjected to taunts and hazing presumably to make it difficult to become a quitter. It is stated that many individuals compensate for feelings of inferiority by performing successfully in this training” (Bernstein, 1303). The Romans, who dominated the world for centuries, required many of their soldiers to sleep with one another to develop a high level of trust for their colleagues. The troops that defend the United States of America have all been hazed in one fashion or another, which has made the USA the most powerful nation in the world. Discipline, respect, trust, and unity make up the solid foundation required for a strong military.

From the time of a child begins to walk and talk, parents teach them right and wrong by use of rewards or punishments. These punishments range may include scolding, isolation, spankings, or grounding. Simon Messing states “even little boys haze other boys who cry or seem soft by saying he ‘lacks something’ or he is effeminate.” Classroom teachers send children to the corner, write their name on the board, or give them detention when they show fault in their actions. The same set of actions is set up for adults but the consequences are stronger ...

... middle of paper ...

...d to take more precaution in the health and safety issues of the hazed. Hazing done correctly is an excellent means of bonding a group of people so that they think and act as one, which is a necessity in certain roles. It teaches trust, responsibility, respect, and other qualities that can not be consistently met in other forms of facilitation. Constructive hazing gives individuals a drive for learning and acting in the way that is expected of them. This drive can be carried by one’s own self through their life and lead them to success. Hazing has made the military a force that protects the freedom of every individual in this country. It has also kept the fraternity system alive since the 1400s despite attempts from the church and schools to destroy them. Hazing should not be banned due to the actions of the few looking to degrade people for their own entertainment. The positive aspects of hazing can not be understated. Hazing needs to be used constructively for the betterment of the individual and society as a whole. Laws need to be made simply to punish those who use hazing to harm so the others can use hazing in a positive fashion to produce model citizens to lead this country.