The Problem of Hazing
At the University of Florida, we are striving to be a hazing free campus. In order to do this, we need help from everyone in our community, both Gainesville and the UF community. Hazing can take place in a variety of organizations, not just fraternities or sororities. Hazing can occur, in honorary organizations, athletic teams, club sports, band and other performing groups, military groups or any other organization where there is a probationary or trial period before becoming a full member.
Many people think hazing is just funny pranks and college students being college students, however hazing is a very complex and serious problem in our society. It is about power and control. Those who are members of the organization have the power and they use that power to get those who want to join the organization to do things they wouldn't otherwise do by exercising control over them. When someone allows themselves to be hazed, that doesn't make the hazing OK or make it permissible.
Hazing also tends to be difficult to detect sometimes. National research conducted by Elizabeth Allan and Mary Madden in "Hazing in View: College Students at Risk" indicate the following:
- Many students who were hazed did not believe they were hazed.
- More than two-thirds of students are aware of hazing in student groups
- Advisors and coaches are often aware of these activities
- Fewer than half of students are provided anti hazing policies when they joined an organization
- Many students come to college having experienced hazing in high school
Additionally, students who are hazed rarely decide to report it for fear of retaliation and further harassment and threats from the very groups they are trying to join. This is a side effect of the power and control dynamic.
Hazing is often rationalized as an effective way to teach discipline and respect, or to foster brotherhood or teamwork. Of course it has just the opposite effect. Those who are hazed rarely respect those that hazed them. Instead there is isolation, formation of cliques and mistrust. None of these are present in successful organizations or teams. In fact, the opposite is often true.
Hazing often can start out as something small or seemingly insignificant. Gradually as one group tries to outdo the group before it, the hazing becomes more intense. It is important to address even the seemingly minor incidents of hazing in order to put a stop to those that are more serious.