The ones of the "humiliation" variety, usually to be found at some Universities or rugby clubs etc.. are a case in point, as mentioned here. The acts dreamt up out of a misplaced sense of humour, they can be more nasty than meets the eye, as in some cases people have died as a result.
But what does get me is why some people do such things. Well the BBC News story which I have linked to gives one such example:
Another, Nick Levy, said that during his ceremony he was told to drink excessively and then run naked through Cheltenham.
He added: "We had to put matches in private, inappropriate areas and set them on fire whilst drinking more beer. I did it to be accepted by the older guys at the time.
"It was a bit tormenting, but if you didn't do it you would get called a wuss".
Personally I'd rather be called a wuss. And given that in one ceremony a student died whilst choking on his own vomit, I don't see these initiation ceremonies as something to be tolerated either. I am not sure I agree with the NUS for an outright ban as I don't know if that would be workable, but I do think there should be stronger voices against such acts
2 comments:
You have bullying policies in schools and in the workplace - so why not in universities?
"You have bullying policies in schools and in the workplace - so why not in universities?"
Two reasons: firstly two wrongs don't make a right. Secondly, Uni is the time when students have enough malice and access to alcohol but not enough restraint to know when to stop, hence we get the occasional tragedy.
The simplest response whenever we are offered a test of manhood that involves combat or idiocy is the Braveheart response ("You win") but it took me many years to see that. It's not so easy when you are university age. We need to do something to stop this, but I'm not sure what.
http://theantipolitician.wordpress.com
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