Hazing in Profession of Arms

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss hazing in the profession of arms and its ethical impact. Hazing is commonly known as a process, based on ancient traditions and ritual, that groups use on people that are to be initiated in new and higher level groups. Successful completion of the process enables the individual to be initiated, but hazing requires the participants to engage in rituals and activities that can prove to be damaging both physically and psychologically for the person being initiated. Other than being stressful, these activities can also be humiliating, harassing, demeaning, exhausting and of an intimidating nature. This paper aims to; examine the critical reasons behind the practice of hazing in military and armed forces, analyse the impact of hazing in the military and provide solutions to the problem of hazing as well as recommendations to combat this menace.

Hazing in the Profession of Arms and its Ethical Impact

Introduction

There are many ethical concerns surrounding the practice of hazing in the profession of arms. Hazing is known as the practice of activities and certain rituals that involve abuse, harassment, or humiliation of people as a way of inculcating them into a group. Hazing is witnessed as being practiced in various types of social groups, which include: sports teams, gangs, military units, schools, fraternities and even workplaces. Hazing is often also linked with Greek-letter organizations such as sororities and fraternities. Most commonly, hazing is prohibited by law as it usually comprises of violent physical and psychological abuse being inflicted on the victims (Groah, 2005).

The word of hazing itself is enough to make new military offices nervous, as it is very commonly practiced in all forces, and leave sever adverse physical and psychological effects on the victims. Most of the definitions used to describe hazing often do not take into account the numerous different meanings of hazing that are prevalent in military life. The term can be used to define even a punch or activities of sever forms which make the victims of hazing bleed, and there are different degrees or intensities of hazing. In the extreme rituals that are practiced, lines are crossed which result in negative consequences for the military personnel who have been targeted (Nuwer, 2004).

It is due to the deaths that result because of fraternity hazing, that many regions have now forbidden hazing and placed a ban on it. It is important to note that most people differentiate military hazing from fraternity hazing. The aim and consequences of military hazing suggesting that it acts to keep troops active is not acceptable for all (Groah, 2005).

Background

Hazing can be also be analysed through various cultural practices were the ones who are initiated into the group have to undergo a rite of passage before they are accepted into the new group. In the sense of rituals and the context of hazing, the rites of passage are commonly comprehended to be stages of the life cycle that bring changes to main life events, such as birth, ...