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The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

The student news site of Atlantic High School

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AHS JOURNALISM GOLD SPONSOR

    Hazing incidents reported across the state

    By Alyssa Askeland

    Harassment and Hazing

    You’ve probably seen in movies, such as “Accepted,” cases of fraternity pledges being hazed. As an example, Sherman Schrader, played by Jonah Hill, was beaten and forced to wear a hot dog costume when pledging loyalty to Hoyt Ambrose’s fraternity.

    Even though the actions performed in this movie are meant to be funny, Sherman’s humiliation is an example of college hazing.

    Hazing, a form of harassment, is defined as “to force (a new or potential recruit to the military, college fraternity, etc.) to perform strenuous, humiliating, or dangerous tasks.”

    The tasks these students are forced to do–generally by their peers–are degrading and hurtful. Some are even dangerous to a person’s health. However, hazing isn’t just something fraternities do to new pledges, it is also a problem in high schools.

    Three hazing incidents in Iowa high school wrestling programs garnered news coverage this past month. Members of the wrestling team in Nodaway Valley have been accused of sexually assaulting a teammate for missing a meet.  As a result of this incident, members of the team have quit and others have been accused of sexual assault.

    In Sioux City, four teens were charged with simple assault. The boys humiliated an under-classman wrestler for unknown reasons and assaulted him. During the investigation, the police expect that two others were assaulted in the same way.

    Three Lisbon wrestlers were also charged with simple assault against another team member. Details of the story have not yet been released.

    Minor hazing happens in many places such as school hallways. Freshman always tend to have the hardest time with this “welcoming tradition.” Movies show that kids get shoved in lockers, “trash canned,” and receive “swirlies.” But in real life, those things don’t happen often. Instead, students are harassed with verbal or written threats, or ridiculed by text messages and Facebook chats .

    What is the main reason behind harassment?

    By nature, humans are meant for government and government calls for a leader, someone more powerful than the rest. According to John Hobbes, the big people have more fun, while the little people are lucky to be around. When a “big person” harasses a “little person,” they feel more powerful and that they belong. In schools there is government, teachers are in charge of the students. But students have their own government, too. The “popular” kids and the “big people” control those that aren’t like them. They over rule those students and can make them do what they want. As a result, the “little people” get pushed around by the “big people.”

    Harassment On ASCD School Grounds

    Under Code No. 502.10R, harassment such as sexual, verbal, physical or written harassment or abuse, threats, demeaning jokes and stories are prohibited on ASCD grounds, busses, vehicles, and school activities.

    If any of the above are happening to you, contact a teacher, counselor or the principal. The school district will administer appropriate disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion after an investigation of the complaint.

    More information of the harassment policy can be found on page 23 of your planner.

     

     

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