I don’t think we’re in disagreement.

You’re right, symbolic gestures are not what is missing here; our society is filled with such events.

What is missing is the meaningful and legal recognition of the passage from child to adult.

B’shalom,

Jeff

Since national fraternities (not all, Joe? And not regional or local fraternities — if such exist?) banned hazing years ago, why is that not a year goes by that we don’t hear of a new case on some campus in the United States?

I don’t buy the bad apple theory.

Nationals, as a matter of policy, must erect firewalls against hazing or face the destructive force of lawsuits that would wipe the stain of the greek system off the face of academia.

We’ve seen the very worst of the greek system in the highest office in our nation for the past four years and the terrible toll it has exacted from both our economy and our collective honor.

B’shalom,

Jeff

Am I being naive that there are those that still break the rules, of course not. But to assume all “greek” organizations allow hazing is unfair.

Fraternities and sororities have many positives. Things like scholorships, school spirit, charity work, educational tools and encouragement, networking and a sense of honor and responsiblity is often instilled within those organizations.

“when does a person get to say I am a man or a woman?”

To be sure….symbolic gestures, in my opinion, have nothing to do with answering the question “when”.

First, you’re right. What happened here was wrong.

Second, I think hazing in general is a response to our society’s abandonment of meaningful rites of passage.

There was a time when we organized community events that involved real trials to serve as rites of passage for the transition from childhood to adulthood. (I think that the recent introduction of the artificial period of adolescence is a mistake.)

We no longer provide our children with a clear marker: b’nai mitzvah at 13, driver’s license at 16, marriage, military service, voting and cigarettes at 18, alcohol at 21; when does a person get to say I am a man or a woman?

I don’t think banning/criminalizing these behaviors is the answer. I think we need to engage in the process and start acting like adults by making a decision here.

B’shalom,

Jeff