It’s sometimes best to let the media speak, even if their inspirational #29 anti-hazing douchebag commentary makes you sick. We can’t always be supportive of the brotherhood, now can we? Either way, take a quick read over a local newspaper’s definition of “6 Common Myths”. Cheers to high school hazing, let’s teach ‘em young!

At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, hazing during homecoming week is quite the tradition. Older students pelt freshmen with paint and, sometimes, assault them.

In this Post story, my colleague Michael Alison Chandler details how hazing continues to thrive at many schools (including the event informally known as “freshmen beat-down day”) and she quotes school administrators saying how hard it is to stamp out.

 

Hard it might be, but what’s really hard is to believe that some of this can’t be stopped quickly. Hazing is not just horsing around, it is not funny, it is not acceptable. Not at high schools, not on college campuses. Here are some myths and facts about hazing.

 

“Hazing,” the website says, “refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”

 

Myth #1: Hazing is a problem for fraternities and sororities primarily.

Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the military, athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional schools and other types of clubs and/or, organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools are on the rise.

The Brotherhood’s Take: No shit, sherlock. But we do it best.

Myth #2: Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry.

Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others — it is victimization. Hazing is pre-meditated and NOT accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening.

The Brotherhood’s Take: We’ll chalk this one up as a loss. Yes, it’s pre-meditated. Yes, it’s not accidental. Win some, lose some.

Myth #3: As long as there’s no malicious intent, a little hazing should be O.K.

Fact: Even if there’s no malicious “intent” safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be “all in good fun.” For example, serious accidents have occurred during scavenger hunts and kidnapping trips. Besides, what purpose do such activities serve in promoting the growth and development of group team members?

The Brotherhood’s Take: BULLSHIT. #41 Why We Haze. Hazing has it’s personal and societal benefits if done correctly.

Myth #4: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline.

Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED–not taught. Victims of hazing rarely report having respect for those who have hazed them. Just like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation.

The Brotherhood’s Take: Hazing is in fact an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline. Everything in moderation.

Myth #5: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can’t be considered hazing.

Fact: In states that have laws against hazing consent of the victim can’t be used as a defense in a civil suit. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group.

The Brotherhood’s Take: Either shit or get off the pot. #74 You Signed Up For This.

Myth #6: It’s difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing — it’s such a gray area sometimes.

Fact: It’s not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense.

The Brotherhood’s Take: #29 Anti-Hazing Douchebags at their best. Common sense makes you understand that a life in the Brotherhood is worth the up-front commitment. Well, any life is better than that of a #20 GDI.

We’ll let you decide whether or not these myths have any value. We just don’t want to be unreasonably lopsided in our perspective, so we graciously post the opposition’s mindset. 

“Pain is passing… Brotherhood is everlasting.” – Anonymous