When Have You Crossed The Line?

As a three sport athlete, I have come to notice that the standard rules and regulations for each sport: respect to one another, complete commitment, promptness, etc. The rule that stands out to me the most when comparing all three sports, are the rules of hazing. Hazing, defined as, “any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person”, according to the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, is something not taken lightly in any high school nowadays. Although this definition provides a clear explanation of what hazing is, the extent of it is commonly questioned among high school and college athletes in this state today. When is it too much?

            The system of hierarchy is something that dates all the way back to approximately 10,000 years ago, where the different social classes developed along with the rise of agriculture. This kind of arrangement in society is still seen today, and is prominent in high schools around the world. Although this type of outlook is frowned upon, it is something unavoidable as respect is not something that is handed to you. In saying that, is it really considered hazing when a senior asks freshmen to move a net? Or to collect the balls after practice? In order to be at the top, you need to start from the bottom. This type of behavior is not something to initiate freshmen onto a team, but to give them a chance to pay their dues as every other upperclassman on the team once had to do.

            I am well aware that hazing is a very real and serious issue. After doing some research, I am enlightened yet appalled as to how cruel students can truly be. For example, freshmen on a high school soccer team in Maryland were reportedly lined up and had soccer balls kicked at them by upperclassmen. There was another incident at a high school in Hawaii that required two girls to run around in their undergarments. These are just a few of the many examples of hazing that are well deserving of punishment. Clearly hazing exists. But is it always something that is worth getting in trouble with the law for? I fully believe that there are certain duties and expectations given to underclassmen, which includes nothing that should be considered hazing. Respect from underclassmen to upperclassmen is something that should be encouraged, just as respect from a student to a teacher is essentially required. You have to work your way to the top of the hierarchy; not by performing harmful tasks, but by working hard.