hazing
Fraternity initiation ritual
Hazing is the practice of subjecting newcomers to humiliating, degrading, or dangerous rituals as a condition of acceptance into a group—most commonly fraternities, sports teams, or military units.
Activities range from forced drinking and sleep deprivation to physical abuse: The fraternity was suspended after a hazing incident sent a pledge to the hospital.
Though often defended as tradition or team-building, hazing has caused deaths and is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Making a solemn promise
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- inductionFormal admission process
- pledgesFormal promises given
recruits · rookies · freshmen · cadets · neophytes · novices · trainees · newcomers
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
cruelty · degradation · coercion · victimization · aggression · taunting · belittling · mockery
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- bondingForming close connections
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
oath · allegiance · tribalism · custom · conformity · brotherhood · sisterhood · camaraderie
pledging
Making a solemn promise
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- inductionFormal admission process
pledges · recruits · rookies · freshmen · cadets · neophytes · novices · trainees · newcomers · probation
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
bullying · cruelty · degradation · coercion · victimization · aggression · taunting · belittling · mockery · hostility
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- bondingForming close connections
secrecy · oath · allegiance · tribalism · custom · conformity · brotherhood · sisterhood · camaraderie · membership
ordeal
Difficult, painful experience
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- calisthenicsEquipment-free resistance exercises
physical · stamina · survival · tolerance · forced · drinking · paddling · branding · exposure · discomfort
military
Armed forces collectively
- athleticsCompetitive physical activities
- teamsOrganized cooperative groups
- sportsCompetitive physical activities
college · university · barracks · locker-room · dorm · campus · school · ROTC · squad · investigation
- Campus Rulesacademic integrity, grading policy, attendance, plagiarism, academic probation
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- rodeobull riding, bareback riding, bronc riding, calf roping, team roping
hazingantihazing
Opposing abusive initiation practices
welcoming ceremony · warm welcome · orientation · induction · onboarding
hazingteam-building
Fostering group cohesion
bonding activities · induction · fellowship · camaraderie · integration
- rookie hazingMistreatment of newcomers