Young people seem to have a penchant for initiation rites. Gaining membership in a "club," even an informal club as large as the freshman or senior class or as small as the linemen on a football team, often comes at the expense of the inductee's dignity.
But, too often in Utah, what started out as a simple prank such as putting raw egg in somebody's hair or rousing a new cheerleader from her bed for an early morning breakfast in pajamas has escalated into what is now called "hazing" - a nasty practice that is not an initiation rite but an assault.Since teenagers are too often unable to control a situation once it gets started, school districts and individual schools must prevent these practices. Students must realize they will face tough consequences if they violate the rights of their peers to feel safe from physical harm or degradation.
Davis School District has taken a step that should be emulated by all Utah school districts or by the state Legislature if school administrators don't act on their own.
The Davis Board of Education has approved a new hazing policy, one of the first if its kind in the country, that defines hazing as action causing harassment, bodily danger, serious mental or emotional harm, extreme embarrassment or personal degradation. It cites specific examples.
All athletes and other students participating in extracurricular activities will be required to sign a form indicating they know what the policy states and they agree to abide by it. All students will be bound by the policy. All parents and students should receive a copy of it and read it thoroughly.
The experiences of several school districts in the state this year and in recent school years have shown a desperate need for students to know exactly what types of behavior will not be tolerated and what the consequences will be if they engage in that behavior.
Students and their parents should never be able to use "I didn't know" as a defense for actions that violate school policy. They should not be able to stretch the meaning of the rules to avoid being punished for such behavior. Parents and coaches should be less likely to defend students' actions as mere pranks if definitions are clear.
As the Davis policy states, the consent of the hazing victim also should not be allowed as a defense. In a mob situation, where victims are outnumbered by their tormentors - who also are their peers - it's very likely they may acquiesce to treatment that is, nevertheless, inappropriate and unacceptable.
The attorney for the Utah State Office of Education has drafted legislation that would also broaden the state criminal code to update references to "hazing" so that charges may be filed against the perpetrators.
Once rules and definitions are uniform throughout the state, there should be less confusion and debate about the appropriate process and punishment when dealing with hazing incidents.
The Davis District should be commended for taking the first real step toward dealing with this ugly trend. Other districts and lawmakers should follow its lead.