Understanding fraternity hazing: Insights from symbolic interactionist theory

From: Journal of College Student Development | Date: July 1, 1999| Author: | Copyright information

Hazing remains a major problem on college campuses. An analysis through the symbolic interactionist perspective indicates that hazing occurs because fraternities view it as a necessary component of their initiation rites. A contributing factor is that fraternities engage in systematic manipulation of symbols, social relations, and definitions of situations while reshaping the pledge's "self." Consequently, pledges willingly engage in activities that, under other conditions, they otherwise resist. Several practical applications of the symbolic interactionist perspective are suggested that may ...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

The Haze of War; Shrugging off Abu Ghraib photos with 'hazing' comparison
; ...might not have been referring to fraternity hazing at all: She could have been referring...being insulted by the comparisons to fraternity hazing. But what about how the frat boys...torturing prisoners is no worse than fraternity hazing is awful." "For her to compare what...
Philippine President Condemns Killing of Hazing
; ...19-year-old student Alexander Miguel Josef Icasiano, a victim of fraternity hazing at the University of the Philippines. Estrada extended...other forms of violence. Icasiano is the fourth victim of fraternity hazing in Metro Manila during the past few years. He was declared...
STUDENT INJURED DURING FRAT HAZING.(NEWS)
; ...Louisville student was severely beaten during a recent fraternity hazing ritual, police said. Shawn Blackston, 23, suffered kidney...wrote: ''Victim reports voluntarily participating in a fraternity hazing ritual. . . .'' The University of Louisville suspended...
FRATERNITY HAZINGS SHOULD BE STOPPED.(LIFE)
; ...your help to get this message out about the dangers of fraternity hazing. My first experience with this so-called fun activity was...Stevens founded C.H.U.C.K. in 1978, after her son died in a fraternity hazing incident involving alcohol. In the past 20 years, at least...
Summer of Sweat; If you want to repeat as Super Bowl champions, you have to pay the price
; ...on a picturesque campus in Carlisle, Pa., for a stay that is a battle of the biceps, a test of wills, a little bit like fraternity hazing and a lot like boot camp with a salad bar. At Redskins training camp there are no guarantees. In the blistering heat of...
FRAT MEMBER URGES REVOLT AGAINST HAZING.(LIFE)
; ...letter from Rita Saucier, whose son died as a result of fraternity hazing. I am a 19-year-old college sophomore and very active in...Dear Ann Landers: I see you are back on the subject of fraternity hazing. I say, Good for you. Not nearly enough has been said about...
Parents should pledge to outlaw fraternity hazing
; ...brutal that they are severely injured or killed. More than 24 young men have died in the last six years as a result of fraternity hazing. Severe paddling (one lad required surgery and hospitalization for several weeks), branding with hot irons, forced alcohol...
Penn student sues fraternity, alleging injuries from hazing.
; ...alleging he was left scarred and bruised by an Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity hazing incident in October. E. Martyn Griffen of Arkansas claims...ONLINE EXTRA To read a copy of the lawsuit filed in the fraternity hazing case, go to http://go.philly.com/hazing. Contact staff...
Animal House in D.C.
; Radio character Rush Limbaugh recently equated Iraqi prisoner abuse with fraternity hazing. Using Limbaugh's line of reasoning, and given the Bush administration's ongoing antics in general, it might be appropriate to rename the White House the "Animal House." McKie Roth Castine
CLICK; http://web.wt.net/~psherr/squirrel_hazing.htm
; ...age-old question of why squirrels act so stupid. Squirrel hazing -- a destructive and often deadly practice similar to fraternity hazing -- could be responsible for everything from squirrels racing in front of speeding cars, stuffing their cheeks with nuts...