Recently, debate—mostly on social media—emerged in Jamaica following a newspaper report about the abuse of a male student at a prominent high school by his peers. According to reports, the first-year student was being “punished” after being accused of stealing. In the ensuing discussion, while some were highly critical of the abuse, regarding it as gross indiscipline, others condoned it, claiming it stemmed from the practice of hazing in schools and colleges.
Hazing is action taken against people joining a group—such as a school, college, team, fraternity, or club—that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, whether physically, psychologically, or emotionally. It can range from beatings and forced alcohol consumption to sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, public embarrassment, or coercion into risky acts.
Although hazing is widely criticized—and illegal in many places—it persists for several stubborn reasons.
Many groups justify hazing as a traditional rite of passage: “We went through it, so you should too.” This creates a cycle that is difficult to break. Hazing also often reflects hierarchy, with older members asserting dominance over newcomers, which can feel rewarding to those in control.
Some people genuinely believe shared hardship builds stronger bonds. While adversity can bring people together, hazing often crosses into harm. New members may go along with it to feel accepted, avoid rejection, or gain status.
Even where laws exist, enforcement can be inconsistent. Schools sometimes prioritize reputation over accountability, quietly handling incidents. In the U.S. and countries like Jamaica, hazing can be embedded in school, sports, or fraternity culture, making it seem “normal” despite the risks.
But calling hazing mere “indiscipline” understates the issue. In most cases, it is plain abuse—and sometimes even criminal assault. Severe cases can lead to serious injury or death.
Some U.S. states have anti-hazing laws, and schools often enforce strict policies. Jamaica and other countries have also publicly condemned hazing, though enforcement varies.
Hazing—and any violence in schools and colleges—should be banned. In many institutions, strict rules already exist. The real issue is closing the gap between policy and practice.
Strict bans are necessary but not sufficient. What’s needed are meaningful disciplinary actions that are consistently enforced. There should also be education about what constitutes hazing, along with safe alternatives for team-building and initiation.
Hazing, and other student-on-student violence, persists not because it is harmless, but because it is often socially tolerated, poorly enforced, and disguised as tradition. This is not a legitimate way to build discipline or unity; in fact, it often does the opposite by normalizing harm and silence. The real challenge is how institutions and cultures stop tolerating it—that is where change tends to lag.
Although abuse and violence in Caribbean schools and colleges, including Jamaica, are cause for concern, they are generally not at the same level as violence reported at some U.S. colleges. Still, there have been several high-profile hazing cases in the U.S. in recent years.
In 2026, a freshman at an Arizona college died after being forced to drink large amounts of vodka during a fraternity event; his blood alcohol level was five times the legal limit. Most fatal hazing cases in the U.S. involve forced drinking and delayed medical response.
At a Texas university, new students were forced to perform hundreds of squats, leading to a dangerous medical condition. Other historical cases include forced hikes without water resulting in heatstroke deaths, and blindfolding and physical assaults causing critical injuries, including fatal head trauma. What begins as “team building” can quickly escalate into serious bodily harm. Research shows there has been at least one hazing-related death annually in the U.S. for decades.
Globally, hazing often includes public humiliation, intimidation, and psychological abuse. Even non-physical hazing can lead to severe emotional distress and students leaving school. Hazing and bullying frequently result in mental trauma, which remains underreported.
In U.S. states like Florida, hazing is explicitly illegal and can result in criminal charges. There is also a federal law—the Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)—requiring colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and improve transparency and accountability.
Despite these laws, hazing continues in the U.S., with enforcement lagging behind policy.
Jamaica does not have the same volume of publicly documented hazing cases as the U.S., but incidents have been reported in high schools, sports teams, and universities. These are often described as “initiation” or “licks,” typically involving beatings and humiliation. While widely condemned, the practice persists due to cultural normalization, weak enforcement, and silence from victims. The pattern is similar—just less formally tracked.
Hazing and school violence can become generational, with each cohort trying to outdo the last.
There is also evidence of group psychology at play, where otherwise ordinary students go along with abuse, fail to intervene, and delay seeking help. When harm occurs, authorities react—disciplining students and tightening policies—but often only after the fact.
Hazing is not just indiscipline; it is often organized abuse. It must be stopped. It continues not because people don’t know it is wrong, but because some still reward it and institutions do not consistently prevent it.
