WHY
HAZING DOESN'T WORK
Listed
below are some of the traditional hazing practices and the negative
consequences they are likely to produce. If you need reasons why
hazing is inappropriate, the following should help:
Note:
Various terms have been introduced to replace the term "pledge"
which is most commonly associated with hazing practices. Some
of these alternatives include "new member," "associate
member," etc. The term "pledge" is used in the
following description because it remains a commonly used and
easily identifiable term.
I.
PRACTICE:
Push-ups,
shouting, and/or public embarrassment - used individually.
PURPOSE:
Generally
used for disciplinary purposes -- to punish or "shape up" pledges
(new members etc.) who are perceived to be dragging down
the group or have been disrespectful.
NEGATIVE
REACTIONS:
a.
Can lead to a temporary suppression of the problem. Once
the pledge is initiated, will s/he continue to perform in
the best interests of the chapter? In most cases, when the
kick in the rear end stops, so will the work.
b.
Will not allow the cause of the problem--if one exists,
to surface. At times the pledge has a legitimate complaint
which would be in the chapter's best interest to hear.
c.
Could lead to the voluntary de-pledging of an individual
who might otherwise become one of the top members of the
chapter, this being a loss no chapter can afford.
d.
Possible physical injury - many people have physical weaknesses
of which sometimes even they are unaware. If injury occurs,
current officers, the university, and the organization can
be sued and held liable.
II.
PRACTICE
The
same activities described in Part I, but used on the pledge
class as a whole.
PURPOSE:
As a disciplinary
exercise for the pledge class as a whole.
NEGATIVE
REACTIONS:
In
addition to all those listed above under Part I:
a.
Can create the attitude that pledgeship is a hardship, not
an educational period, and that initiation is the end of
one's work for the organization instead of the beginning.
This can create a general lack of participating and/or interest
in the membership.
b Can
lead to the dissatisfaction and possible de-pledging of
individuals opposed to this type of discipline. These can,
oftentimes, be some of the top individuals.
III. PRACTICE:
Excessive
physical or mental demands, on the pledge group as a whole.
PURPOSE:
To instill
pledge class unity.
NEGATIVE
REACTIONS:
a.
In addition to the same negative reactions noted in Part
11, this system can be so successful in instilling pledge
group unity that, in fact, four separate units are created
within the chapter, and a true chapter does not exist.
IV.
PRACTICE:
Pre-initiation
or "Hell" weeks with strenuous and excessive
programs and events, physical and mental.
PURPOSE:
a.
To create a climax to the pledge program, and develop a true
appreciation of initiation.
b.
To unify the pledge class for the last time.
NEGATIVE
REACTIONS:
a.
The pledge is in fact glad to be initiated, not so much
for the honor of the event, but for the right to be finished
with the work. In this instance, the climax really arrives
when the pre-initiation week ends, not when initiation
begins. This is another way of strengthening the idea,
that, "Boy,
I'm glad pledgeship is over because now my work ends" instead
of the realization that this is just the beginning of one's
commitment to chapter membership.
b.
In programs with a lack of sufficient sleep and strenuous
activities designed to make the pledge less cognizant of
what is really happening, the new initiate can be robbed
of the true meaning and appreciation of the formal ceremony.
Also, as scholarship is supposed to have priority, these
programs can in fact be very detrimental to one's academic
achievement.
c.
If the chapter needs this week to unify its pledge class,
it points to a flaw in the regular pledge program, as this
should already have been accomplished.
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