Time to end psychological assault, abuse of hazing | Opinion

Imagine scarfing down vomit-filled omelets, chugging liquor from dirty cleats, or being locked in a room with Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” blaring repeatedly. These grotesque images aren’t urban legends − they’re hazing rituals that college students endure, whispered about in a mix of morbid curiosity and shame. But beyond the sensationalism, hazing is more than a regrettable rite of passage: It’s a public health crisis that demands urgent attention.

As students flood back to campus, few will recognize hazing for what it truly is: an invasive threat to holistic well-being and a corrosive force that erodes identity in the name of belonging. Hazing isn’t just a harmful tradition; it’s a psychological assault that exploits our deep-seated need for community, turning it into a tool of control and degradation.

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Hazing's danger lies in its ambiguity, fueled by secrecy and lack of a universal definition, making it difficult to identify and eradicate. Yet it thrives in institutions designed to foster learning and growth, perpetuating cycles of abuse disguised as tradition. Having navigated these institutional politics, I believe it’s time to lift the veil. To move forward, we must abandon secrecy and demand transparency that forces institutions to confront their own complicity.

Hazing is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to ancient times, with Plato documenting schoolyard torments as early as 387 B.C. It has since evolved, infiltrating religious rituals, military indoctrinations and fraternity initiations. Hazing in American colleges accelerated after World War II, when the G.I. Bill facilitated the crossover of military hazing rituals into academic settings.

Despite its deep roots, hazing remains poorly understood, shaped by personal experiences, societal values, and media portrayals that glamorize rather than condemn it. To dismantle hazing, we must demystify it. Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation posits that individuals need safety, love and esteem to achieve self-actualization. Hazing flips this concept, using the deprivation of these needs to forge superficial bonds through shared suffering.

Hazing’s historical roots lie in punishment and control. The fraternity paddle, now a symbol of brotherhood, originated as a tool for beating sailors and later slaves, designed to inflict pain without leaving visible scars. Today, enduring hazing is honored as a perverse rite of passage that grants access to social and professional networks.

Is this sense of belonging worth the cost? Research suggests that strong social bonds are crucial for long-term health and resilience. However, hazing twists this truth, creating connections through the exclusion and dehumanization of those who refuse to comply. The result is a toxic environment where safety and belonging are earned at the expense of others.

Hazing is both effective and destructive. Participants may not endorse the practice, yet they perpetuate it, caught in a cycle of coercion and complicity. The toll is undeniable: every year since 1969, at least one student has died from hazing-related incidents, often from alcohol poisoning. These tragedies are frequently met with institutional silence or vague statements, allowing the cycle to continue unchecked.

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Universities and military branches often publicly disavow hazing but rarely take meaningful action. This pattern of denial protects reputations at the expense of student safety. Progress requires these institutions to embrace scrutiny, identify flaws, and commit to change. Rival institutions, with their accumulated prestige, are uniquely positioned to challenge each other to evolve.

Hazing persists despite being recognized as a public health issue, underscoring the need for clear definitions, national legislation and preventive education. Hazing is a form of interpersonal violence, characterized by activities that humiliate, degrade or endanger individuals, regardless of their willingness to participate. Establishing anti-hazing frameworks will standardize behavioral expectations, and ensure consistent and just disciplinary actions.

It’s time to end the tacit acceptance of hazing and hold our institutions − and ourselves − accountable. By fostering open communication around shortcomings and committing to reform, we can build a safer, more inclusive environment that nurtures healthy community bonds without the need for abuse.

Zersha Munir is the manager of Communications and Outreach at Brown University, specializing in interventions and messaging to foster accountable environments.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: It’s a public health crisis in our universities that demands urgent attention.