Hazing and behaviors associated with it have existed for more than two thousand years. Institutions and teachers have had to deal with cases of drug abuse, physical abuse, practical jokes and other dangerous activities that found their way into rituals and rites of passage in schools and learning institutions. For a better understanding of the full history of the issue, it is necessary to have some basic knowledge of it. It is critical to look at the roles that fagging and pennalism played in the English school system. It is also necessary to understand the reasons that led to the invention of hazing and the reason the practice lives on today. The creation of hazing centers among various reasons including the introduction of classes (sophomore, freshman, undergraduate, etc.) the formation of religious-based schools and participation in extra curriculum activities also influenced the history of hazing. However, hazing does not exist in learning institution only.
The history of hazing dates back to the founding of Plato’s Academy in 387BC. Plato discouraged such behavior and rebuked the acts that led to injuries and the endangerment of students in the school. At that time, these rituals were referred to as pennalism. The practice became prevalent in the middle ages with students terming them as standard ways of welcoming newcomers. The main reason behind it was the perception that the newcomer was uncivilized, untutored and would require some polish before joining the system. Newcomers had to endure the hardships before they could enjoy the sweetness of education. Some of these hardships at that time included subjection to crude jokes and humiliation in public with some occasion where they would be forced to dress inappropriately. All these hardships were meant to indicate the inferiority of the older students. Pennalism often lasted throughout the first year in college and would end as soon as the admission of a new group of students. To mark the end of it, the new students would treat the other to foods and drinks during the induction ceremony. Fagging was the English version of hazing. It was most common in Oxford and the Cambridge University. It was the right of an older student doing whatever the liked to the younger one, and the younger one disliking it. Fagging taught the young ones about humility and good etiquette by serving an upper-class student.
In the English education system, it was not only the new students that went through fagging, but master’s students also had to produce a document affirming that they had gone through the practice. The situation was not any better for faculties. For teachers to get hired, hazing would be used to eliminate some of the applicants. The name hazing would later gain popularity after the civil war where the acts officially appeared in the school documents. In America, the hazing mainly concentrated on the student’s servitude. The regulation required all new students to serve and run elders for their seniors. One rule of hazing was that it was forbidden to hit the students. Joseph Webb was the first victim of such and was suspended from Harvard but returned after only two months after successfully convincing the principal of his repentance. At that time, public repentance and an apology would get any students out of trouble. It was mostly because most of the school administration constituted of members of the clergy who by their beliefs, believed that asking for forgiveness was enough. It led to the introduction of hazing, suspension/punishment, apology then readmission cycle in the institution.
During the start of the nineteenth century, hazing found its way into the extra-curriculum activities. The societies at that time were not the same as today’s; they were a platform where students would express philosophy and serious issues in the school. Besides the seriousness of the activities, pranks and mischiefs still existed in them. Cases of students’ coats getting pinned on their seats were not news. It was from this social groups that the fraternities of today were born, fraternities that involve dangerous and severe pranks. The fraternities gained massive popularity during the twentieth century when more people started joining the institutions. The creation of myths and complex rituals attracted more students to jo9n in and go through the ordeals. Fraternities made complete use of hazing that had become a common rite of passage in the 1880s. The first fatal incidence of hazing was in 1873. It was regarded as the first because the previous occurrences were due to accidents during male horse plays. Horseplay was the term the administration would use to justify the deaths. The incident happened at the Cornell University, in the Kappa society. One blindfolded member fell into a gorge and passed away. The other colleagues testified that there was no drugs nor alcohol involved in the ritual, leading to the pardon of the two society leaders. As the years progressed, cases of fatality and injuries increased, but this did not stop nor reduce the magnitude of hazing in the institutions.
Recently, much like the past, hazing proves to be challenging for teachers, parents, and the staff. More deaths have occurred since 1990 in the organization because of hazing and pledge initiations. It records the highest drug and alcohol abuse since the invention of the activity. However, things are turning out fine because today’s students do not put much thought into the whole hazing and initiation practice. Joining students are not willing to go through the requirements. Fraternities and sororities are slowly phasing out. The reduction of alcohol abuse and the increased student urge to join high performing house has led to a decrease in haze-related accidents or deaths. Some colleges have handed over the duty of inducing students to the frat houses to school staff and the administration. Colleges and universities are seeking approval on academic grounds.
Hazing in schools.
There is no doubt that the social experience in schools especially college is unique and demanding. College is the place someone figures out who they are, what they want to do in life, and the type of friends to keep. The socialization occurs during dorm-interactions, intramurals, and joining sororities of fraternities. Being a part of a fraternity gives student valuable leadership skills, the chance to participate in other school activities, and the opportunity to make more friends. Although it is popular, induction into some of these fraternities involves hazing as a requirement or a condition to join or continue membership of that fraternity. Some of these hazing activities may cause emotional or physical damage to a person. It may also cause the destruction of the school property. According to the participants, hazing creates a bond between fraternity members, a bond strength from the experiences that the members share. It is useful in proving loyalty to the fraternity, especially for new members. The ritual is meant to strengthen the unity of the group but at times they tend to go too far. While joining and being part of a fraternity presents a student with many opportunities and improves their skills and knowledge, the use of hazing is a big problem with severe consequences. This part of the book looks at the various perspective on hazing and its effects on a student’s self-esteem.
While the members of a fraternity see it as a good thing, weighing the impacts of it, both positive and negative, leaves a question on the potential implications of hazing. Hazing is an initiation ritual for new members joining a frat house, a football team or any other group in school. The rituals include harmful and dangerous activities that vary through schools or colleges. Some typical hazing activities include sleep deprivation, alcohol overconsumption, engaging in risky activities, physical and emotional abuse among many other. These activities can have serious impacts on the students, and it is, therefore, important to know about their potential implications.
To the students, about their attitude toward hazing, most females stand by the believe that the experience should be a positive one, unlike the male students. Some of them firmly believe in the rituals and the fraternity that they see absolutely nothing wrong with hazing. The attitude toward it, especially about alcohol, vary among sororities and fraternities. They believe that the excessive drinking is necessary to show a person’s commitment and willingness to be part of the group. Research shows that among all students in the schools, including the ones outside the fraternities, alcohol abuse and hazing is prevalent among members of fraternities and sororities.
In schools, another reason for hazing is to manifest the solidarity of the house. Substantial groups have more severe and demanding activities compared to the small groups. The bigger or stronger fraternities in the school house some of the big fish around the schools and hence have harder demands and requirement for new members when joining. Although many students have different perceptions on the subject, these levels of haziness can scar someone.