Hazing Examples
Many times, people believe that hazing is difficult to define. They think there is a lot of gray area. Here are some examples of hazing taken from StopHazing.org:
- Forced or coerced consumption of alcohol
- Being yelled at or cursed at by other members of the team or group
- Sleep deprivation
- Ingestion of vile substances
- Branding
- Simulate sex acts
- Associate with certain people and not others
- Forced or coerced shaving of heads or other body parts
- Personal servitude
- Inflict violence on someone
- Be whipped, kicked, or beaten
- Perform sex acts
- Public nudity
- Make prank phone calls or harass others
- Wear embarrassing clothing
- Deprive self of regular hygiene practices (e.g., brushing teeth, bathing/showering)
- Destroy or steal property
- Cheat or help others cheat on an exam
- "Drop-offs" or "dumps" in unfamiliar locations
- Being paddled
- Humiliating Kangaroo courts or mock trials
- Lock-ups or being confined to small spaces
- Being duct taped or some other physical restraints
- Sacrificing or injuring animals
- Burning skin
This is by no means an exhaustive list. There really is a wide continuum of hazing behaviors from those that are kind of hidden or subtle, to those that are threatening, embarrassing or harassing and finally to those that are violent or dangerous. Particularly with the more hidden to subtle types of hazing, context is important. Remember the power and control dynamic.
To help you identify whether something is hazing or not, the following questions should be asked. If the answer to ANY of these questions is YES, it is very likely that the activity is hazing.
- Would active, current members of the group refuse to participate in this activity with the new members and do exactly what they’re being asked to do?
- Does the activity risk emotional or physical harm or abuse?
- Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?
- Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?
- Would we get in trouble if the Dean of Students walked by?
- Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
- Am I doing anything illegal?
- Does participation violate my values or those of my organization?
Sources: Safe on Campus Hazing Handout; HazingPrevention.org
Put another way, Will Keim makes the following statement regarding whether or not an activity is hazing:
"1. If you have to ask if it's hazing, it is. 2. If in doubt, call your advisor/coach/national office. If you won't pick up the phone, you have your answer. Don't B.S. yourself.' 3. If you haze, you have low self-esteem. 4. If you allow hazing to occur, you are a 'hazing enabler.' 5. Failure to stop hazing will result in death..."
Will Keim, Ph.D., "The Power of Caring"