Difference between revisions of "Hazing Paper/Second Draft"

Latest revision as of 22:38, 30 April 2006

Hazing Paper 2nd Draft

Hazing can become a very dangerous form of bullying. About 70 people have been killed by hazing in the last 20 years (Facts.com 2). “’Hazing’ refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group … that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate” (Hazing Defined 1). Most hazing deaths occur because the act goes too far; the hazers get carried away. Their intention is to have a team building activity or make sure members are up to snuff (Facts.com 2). However, this is not what really happens. The acts often cross the line, and the victims do not complain, because they want to join the group (Facts.com 2). Teens often want to out do one another; each year, teens do something more dangerous then what happened to them (Bowers 1; Bushweller 3). Not only can these acts be dangerous, but they are also an “abuse of power and [a] violation of human dignity” (High School Hazing). If teens can be educated that this hurtful and inhumane act of bullying is forbidden in high school, then they will know that it not acceptable in college, where it becomes the most dangerous. That is why I ? believe that, although high school hazing can be harmless, it can escalate to being dangerous and illegal. (thesis)

Hazing can very quickly turn from a harmless prank into a dangerous situation. In most cases, the victim will still take part, because they want to join the group. Take for instance, Casey Culpepper. She wanted to join the volleyball her first year in high school. All through the summer, the threat of the "initiation" haunted her. One day she and her friends were attacked by seniors after class, and smeared with concoctions that included canned dog food, eggs, ketchup, mustard, horse manure and pet feces. Then, they were hosed off so hard that it hurt (Bowers 1).  ?Replace with nick bottom of p2, source THREE? I think I should Other students at Western Branch High School were attacked with chemicals and waste from portable toilets. These students must now take powerful HIV drugs and undergo frequent screenings (Bowers 1). Their life will never be the same after this harmful experience.

However, the problem only gets worse after high school. Fraternities, tight social clubs in college, ? get better def? are notorious from their dangerous hazing practices. The movie “Animal House,” is a showcase of the problem in popular culture. ?? Hazing and physical abuse in fraternities began with class fights between freshmen and seniors in the late 19th century and was based off military imitation rituals (Facts.com 5). By 1970’s alcohol became a part of almost every fraternity function, including hazing (Facts.com 6). Alcohol impairs one’s ability of judgment and the ability to know when to stop a dangerous situation. In fact, according to Eileen Stevens, the president of the Committee to Halt Useless College Killings (CHUCK), alcohol is a factor in 98% of all fatal hazing incidents (qtd. in Facts.com 6). In addition, this figure does not contain the incidents that college officials classify only as alcohol-related incidents (qtd. in Facts.com 6). College is when most hazing turns fatal. However, if students in high school learn that hazing is unacceptable, they will know that once they start college and debate joining a fraternity. Hopefully, they will recognize that they are being put in a dangerous situation and ask the hazers to stop. However, most people are afraid to speak up when they are being victimized by hazing.

Hazing victims do not speak up and ask for the hazing to stop because of peer pressure (High School Hazing). They also believe that the hazing is necessary to join the group, club, team, or activity (Bushweller 2). Peer pressure not only forces the victim to go along with the act, but also forces the hazers to continue and the coaches to overlook it. Administrators, coaches, and teachers, as well as the hazers, believe the hazing is an acceptable tradition that should be allowed to continue (High School Hazing). They do not know the dangers of hazing and are unwilling to stop it (High School Hazing). Through peer pressure, no one speaks up about hazing – not the victims or the hazers. This allows dangerous situations to occur, both in high school and colleges.

Teens have a tendency to want to out do one another (Bowers 1). They want to do something better and harsher then what was done to them (Bowers 1). Today’s media also contributes to the problem (Bowers 1). Teens see television shows such as “Fear Factor” and try to replicate the stunts without realizing that such stunts are closely supervised by professionals. In addition, teens may observe their peers doing crazy things. As a result, peer pressure and the want to “one-up” their own initiation ceremony creates the cycle of “hazing creep” (Bowers 1). If hazing can not be stopped, it will constantly get worse over time.

Hazing is just wrong! People should not need to go through humiliation rituals to join a club or team. …continue 3 para