What are the Consequences of being Hazed?

Nearly three-quarters of the high school students who reported they were hazed said they had one or more negative consequences.

Percent of Students Hazed Who Suffered Negative Consequences
Consequences % Consequences %

Consequences

Got into a fight

%

24

Consequences

Committed a crime

%

16

Consequences

Was injured

%

23

Consequences

Considered suicide

%

15

Consequences

Fought with my parents

%

22

Consequences

Got sick

%

12

Consequences

Did poorly in school work

%

21

Consequences

Quit going out with friends

%

11

Consequences

Missed school, practice, work, meeting

%

19

Consequences

Got in trouble with police

%

10

Consequences

Hurt someone else

%

20

Consequences

Was convicted of a crime

%

4

Consequences

Had difficulty eating, sleeping, concentrating

%

18

Consequences

One or more negative consequence

%

71

Twelve percent (n=32) reported "other" consequences, including:
  • Negative consequences: was depressed, cried all the time, was completely miserable, fought with my family, was uncomfortable, was tormented throughout high school, "was made fun of-but who cares?", suffered low self-esteem, was insulted, had an emotional break-down, or sustained internal bruising (41%).
  • Positive consequences: gained valuable life experiences, matured, really woke up, or experienced joy/elation/satisfaction, natural high, found it challenging, had fun (31%).
  • Relief: was relieved or glad to know others had done it too (29%).

Among the students who reported being hazed, their feelings were split between negative and positive. Many reported both. Thirteen percent wanted revenge, but reported few other feelings.


Students' Feelings about Being Hazed
Negative Feelings % Positive Feelings %

Negative Feelings

Angry

%

35

Positive Feelings

Part of the group

%

43

Negative Feelings

Embarrassed

%

28

Positive Feelings

Proud

%

30

Negative Feelings

Confused

%

25

Positive Feelings

Strong

%

27

Negative Feelings

Guilty

%

23

Positive Feelings

Trusted

%

18

Negative Feelings

Regretful

%

21

Positive Feelings

Total

%

59

Negative Feelings

Sad

%

20

Positive Feelings

Other Feelings

%

 

Negative Feelings

Total

%

59

Positive Feelings

Wanted Revenge

%

13

Negative Feelings

Categories of Feelings

%

%

Positive Feelings

 

%

 

Negative Feelings

Negative Feelings

%

27

Positive Feelings

 

%

 

Negative Feelings

Both Negative and Positive

%

32

Positive Feelings

 

%

 

Negative Feelings

Positive Feelings

%

27

Positive Feelings

 

%

 

Negative Feelings

Revenge

%

14

Positive Feelings

 

%

 
Seventeen percent marked "other" feelings (n=44). Interestingly, the respondents divided evenly among the three categories:
  • Negative feelings: felt hurt, betrayed ("those people were supposed to be my friends"), used, lonely ("I was lonely and would have done anything. That's stupid."), unintelligent, dirty, dishonored, worthless, degraded (sic), hatred, afraid or "guilty after I returned my meanness," had fun, was excited, happy, real, alive, felt good about myself, cool, confident, strong, and like a family.
  • Neutral feelings: normal, relieved, glad it was over, or indifferent. (One student said, "It was fun, but I was angry because there's no choice.")

Students who thought hazing was a problem felt isolated from adults. Forty percent of the students said they wouldn't report hazing. When asked why they would not report hazing, 36 percent replied: "There's no one to tell. Who could I tell?" Twenty-seven percent said "Adults would not know how to handle it" and 28 percent said, "It's not a problem. Sometimes accidents happen." Peer pressure seemed less of a factor in not reporting hazing. Twenty-four percent said "Other kids would make my life miserable," and 16 percent said "I just wouldn't tell on my friends, no matter what."

Percent of Students Who Would Not Report Hazing and Why Not
Student Reporting of Hazing %

Student Reporting of Hazing

Would you report hazing? No

%

40

Student Reporting of Hazing

If not, why not (mark all that apply)

%

 

Student Reporting of Hazing

There's no one to tell. Who could I tell?

%

36

Student Reporting of Hazing

It's not a problem. Sometimes accidents happen.

%

28

Student Reporting of Hazing

Adults wouldn't know how to handle it right.

%

27

Student Reporting of Hazing

Other kids would make my life miserable.

%

24

Student Reporting of Hazing

I just wouldn't tell on my friends no matter what.

%

16