Hazing, Is It A Rite? Essay, Research Paper

Josh Mathis

Hazing, is it a rite?

For centuries, hazing has occurred in all societies as a rite of passage. It dates all the way back to the ancient Native Americans as they went so far as to pierce the sternum of warriors with a bone and hang them from it. These days, it continues as our military makes hazing it?s own. But one question needs to be asked in these modern times; is hazing being carried out too far in our military schools? Yes, it is indeed. This ritualistic hazing begins in military schools such as VMI or West Point and carries all the way into the armed forces themselves. This, as a result, is why hazing in military schools must be stopped all together at whatever means necessary.

Although many officers at the schools state hazing has a bonding characteristic to it and should be a positive thing, it is the very reason why numerous students are injured and cannot continue on with their studies. Can hazing really be that bad? It has been reported as well that a number of deaths have occurred. In one specific case, three marines were buried to their necks in sand and left there until the tide came in. In cases other than death, many injuries occur so badly that the students are forced to spend time in the hospital and away from school, and thus, grades drop. Furthermore, in some occurrences, the injuries that happen are simply too painful to even continue with school. Hazing should be taken care of in a better way simply from these facts alone.

Aside from the injury factor, hazing is lacking the consequences needed to effectively be controlled; many students are continuing to practice it and even are encouraged as well. But are penalties truly sufficient enough? As this hazing occurs and people are caught, many times nothing more than a simple slap on the wrist is issued, and the offenders are let off with a simple fine or warning. Yet even more surprising, no jail time was awarded for any violent ritual. Many people who know of the topic say that it comes from above, and they are quite justified because it has been documented that officers will have other lower ranks to, ?take care of it?, and so forth. No punishments ever come from the officers as they are allowed to do it repeatedly. It is simply shameful and should be taken care of in a much better way.

In addition to the previous factors, students? schoolwork suffers as well. The amount of hazing that goes on takes it?s toll on them as the students can?t even finish work . But do the schools defend and help the students right? Students in these military institutions are constantly filing complaints of hazing getting in the way of their work, yet the complaints fall on deaf ears as the officers who receive the complaints are pushers of this kind of action. Students are made to stay up after lights out, purely for the officer?s pleasure and are, as a result, tired for the ritualistic morning exercises. The students complain of being hazed during designated study time and cannot get their work done. Grades subsequently drop. Surely the schools have to be aware of this enough to change it or simply monitor.

Far too much hazing is occurring and, without a doubt, needs to be stopped. Hazing is now on the move as it crosses America and sweeps into public schools and even to sports teams. It now ranges from ?Freshman Friday? to the simple shaving of a rookie?s head. Hazing however is growing out of control and should, indeed, be stopped.