I recently read an article in support of hazing. While I respect the writer's opinion and freedom of speech, I couldn't believe what I read. The writer supported hazing within boundaries. However, I question whether there are any advantages to hazing. Too many sports team programs, fraternities, sororities and other groups have undergone sanctioning and termination because of hazing.
Is building camaraderie among peers by way of hazing really worth it? It doesn't seem like it when there are far safer and healthier ways you can build trust and support. One way is by getting to know your teammates or "brothers / sisters" through fun events and activities. It doesn't make sense to me that someone could like someone more just because they can handle or dish out abuse in a certain way. It's 2016, the fact that young adults still think hazing is necessary is unacceptable.
I'm on of one of the closest swimming and diving programs I've ever been apart of and I can honestly say no hazing has ever occurred on our team. There is a level of respect we have achieved for one another that didn't need fear to build. People have died because of the hatred and torture of others. We say that we hate these monsters, but how is hazing any different than terrorism? Each involve bullying, berating, intimidation and threatening. They may not be exactly the same, but they sure seem pretty similar. So while more schools and programs are cracking down on hazing, there are still people out there advocating it. Hazing is teaching people that abuse and torture is OK, and nobody should be made to feel that way.
Fraternities, sororities, sports teams and other groups haze so they can see which members are worthy of membership in the group and whether they will fit in. In my opinion I want someone in my group who respects my safety, my mental state and who I am as a person.
I want to be apart of a group that likes me for my personality and what I can offer them. All hazing does is show groups how much abuse a person can handle and how willing they are to let others push them around. That's not a healthy relationship. What our society truly needs is self-respect. Even if hazing can sometimes be voluntary, a person should have enough respect for themselves to say, "I'm not going to do something that belittles myself or others and if you don't like it then I don't want to be a part of your group." These groups should be building family-like bonds where they find strength in unity. Families don't get as close as they do through torment and terror. They unite through love and admiration. If hazing is a reality, we are pushing away love and equality. I don't support hazing and you shouldn't either.
