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Peer
Education Program
Hazing
Types
of Hazing:
SUBTLE
HAZING:
Behaviors that
emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other
members of the group or team. This is called “subtle hazing”
because these types of hazing are often taken-for-granted or
accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically
involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards
of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the receiving
end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New
members/rookies often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to
feel like part of the group or team. (Some types of subtle hazing
may also be considered harassment hazing).
Examples:
deception, assigning demerits, silence periods with implied
threats for violation, deprivation of privileges granted to other
members, requiring new members/rookies to perform duties not
assigned to other members, socially isolating new members/rookies,
line-ups and drills/tests on meaningless information, name
calling, requiring new members/rookies to refer to members with
titles (e.g. “Mr.” “Miss”) while they are identified with
demeaning terms, expecting certain items to always be in one’s
possession.
HARASSMENT
HAZING:
Behaviors that
cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel
like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates,
and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. (Some types of
harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing).
Examples:
verbal abuse,
implied threats of violence, requiring new members/rookies to wear
embarrassing or humiliating attire, expecting new member/rookies
to provide personal services to members (e.g. cooking, cleaning,
carrying books, errands, etc.), sleep deprivations, sexual
stimulations, expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of
maintaining a schedule of bodily cleanliness, be expected to
harass others.
VIOLENT
HAZING:
Behaviors that
have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or
psychological harm.
Examples:
forced or coerced
drug or alcohol consumption, beating, paddling, and other forms of
assault, branding, forced or coerced consumption of vile
concoctions or substances, burning, water intoxication, expecting
abuse or mistreatment of animals, public nudity, expecting illegal
activity, bondage, abductions/kidnappings, exposure to cold
weather or heat without appropriate protection.
Myths
About Hazing:
Myth
#1: Hazing is a problem for fraternities and sororities
primarily.
Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing
incidents have been frequently documented in the military,
athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional
schools and other types of clubs and/or, organizations. Reports of
hazing activities in high schools are on the rise.
Myth #2:
Hazing is no
more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry.
Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others
--- it is victimization. Hazing is pre-meditated and NOT
accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often
life-threatening.
Myth #3:
As long as
there's no malicious intent, a little hazing should be O.K.
Fact: Even if there's no malicious
"intent" safety may still be a factor in traditional
hazing activities that are considered to be "all in good
fun." For example, serious accidents have occurred during
scavenger hunts and kidnapping trips. Besides, what purpose do
such activities serve in promoting the growth and development of
group team members?
Myth #4:
Hazing is an
effective way to teach respect and develop discipline.
Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED--not
taught. Victims of hazing rarely report having respect for
those who have hazed them. Just like other forms of victimization,
hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation.
Myth #5:
If someone
agrees to participate in an activity, it can't be considered
hazing.
Fact: In states that have laws against hazing
consent of the victim can't be used as a defense in a civil suit.
This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a
potentially hazardous action it may not be true consent when
considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group.
Myth #6: It's difficult to determine whether or not a
certain activity is hazing--it's such a gray area sometimes.
Fact: It's not
difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common
sense and ask yourself the following questions:
Make the following inquiries
of each activity to determine whether or not it is hazing.
1)
Is alcohol involved?
2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate
with the new members and do exactly what they're being asked to
do?
3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?
5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your
parents, to a professor or University official?
6) Would you object to the activity being photographed for the
school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of
these questions is "yes," the activity is probably
hazing.
Adapted
from Death By Hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 1988.
www.stophazing.org
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