Conflict Theory Of Hazing Essay

According to Joan Ferrante, an issue is a matter that can be explained only by factors outside an individual’s control and immediate environment. A current issue facing America today is hazing in high school and college. Hazing is when a person is purposefully stressed and humiliated as part of an initiation into a club or program. In this paper hazing will be discussed in detail, and how it is best described by the conflict theory. Hazing has been a problem in schools for many years, but recently this problem has been getting more attention. As stated earlier hazing is when a person is humiliated, or even harmed to become part of a club, team, or program. Hazing is usually initiated by senior members of the club, or program. Some common hazing rituals are making the initiates eat nasty food like sardines and chocolate. Hazing often involves public embarrassment as well like having to go skinny dipping or streaking in the park. Hazing doesn’t usually involve physical harm, but sometimes things get out of hand. Hazing has led to hospitalizations and sometimes death. This is one reason why hazing has been gaining media attention, and why there are severe repercussion if you are caught initiating or participating in hazing. Some recent
One reason is that hazing is done so the members of the group or organization can keep the power they have obtained. Hazing lets the new members of the group know there place, and know who is in charge. Hazing is a way to let new members know who the leader is and who has the power. The conflicts discussed above can be physical confrontations, disagreements, exploitations, tension, hostility, and direct competition. These are all conflicts that can be a part of the hazing ritual. Sometimes, the hazing might be a direct competition between new members. There can be tension during the hazing rituals, disagreements, and most of the time new members are