Hazing Should Be Banned In The United States

646 Words2 Pages

Have you ever wanted to be apart of a group or club, to the extent that you would risk your own life in the process? Risking your own life to finally belong and fit in, in a demanding and challenging society. Hazing, according to hazingprevention.org, is defined as “any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.” Across the nation, parents wake up not knowing the amount of harm their child could be in, due to hazing. Although hazing is a tradition practiced by college students, it should be banned in all states due to its negative effects: mental distress, physical pain, and even death.

The negative psychological effects of hazing are both long lasting and traumatic for the victim involved. These effects include, anxiety, depression, suicide, sleep deprivation, poorer performance in classes, and decreased interest in social activities (1). When the victim is hazed, humiliation does not fall far behind, and lowers the self esteem they once had. A student previously enrolled at Penn State committed suicide in 2014, after experiencing several forms of hazing. He was forced to snort cocaine, drink alcohol until he vomited repeatedly, and steal items out of a store while wearing a ski mask. Not only was he asked to do …show more content…

According to www.hazingprevention.umd.edu, there has been at least one death caused by hazing each year since the 1970’s. In recent years, it has escalated. The most frequently reported types of hazing practices have resulted in college students death, due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages(3). Students are often forced to chug alcohol until they are no longer responsive. In most cases, students are willing to experience this type of trauma in order to fit in with their peers. What they do not realize however, is that these hazing activities, especially the over consumption of alcohol, may lead to their

More about Hazing Should Be Banned In The United States

Open Document