In Quest of “Brotherhood Acceptance” through Hazing?

This August 2012 our local newspapers, radios and television reports exposed the latest disappointing incident - the DEATH of a law student due to multiple organ failure caused by hazing. Through an anonymous informant, the parents found the victim in a hospital already dead and with bruises all over the body.  Imagine the agony of the victim’s family particularly the parents who nurtured their child so much from conception to this age. Parents will do almost anything to provide a bright future for their child and every way possible to protect him from harm.   They will unquestioningly shed sweat, blood and tears to make his dreams come true.  What right do these people have then to inflict this atrocious harm (resulting to death) to somebody’s precious child?  

Is hazing really the most effective way in promoting brotherhood  of/for fraternity?   Brotherhood for/of what?  If brotherhood stands for “affection and loyalty” for people you have in common and; fraternity is “friendship and support” between people who shares the same interest or profession, I cannot understand why employ hazing to gauge the worthiness of a neophyte to be part of the group.  This episode is only one of the countless cases and surely won’t be the last while these organizations remain steadfast in their belief that hazing is the “most effective?” approach to ensure sincerity and loyalty of aspiring “brothers to be.”

Pardon me if I may sound bias but as a parent I really could not figure out why resort to so much cruelty   to test the credibility of aspirants in joining an association.  Could this not be done in a more humanly manner or much better in a positive or productive way?  I don’t denounce fraternity as a whole for people would not risk their limbs and lives if it has nothing beneficial to offer to members.  It is the initiation rites conducted which results to this cases specifically death that I could not tolerate. No matter how noble are the objectives of an organization if it employs a method morally unacceptable to the general public and creates disaster to anybody these intentions are totally shattered.

Please refrain from destroying somebody’s life (and dreams) for your quest of loyalty from aspiring members.  Save the parents, families and friends from anguish because of this inhumanly act.  What if this happens to you or to a member of your family?  Why not adapt an initiation that results to productivity or positivity?  There are countless ways to channel your ideology of a praiseworthy fraternity.  Prove it not only to your members but to the public as a whole that your organization really deserves respect and honor.

We, as parents only want and wish the best for our children hence we expect fraternities to show a kind of leadership that dignifies their association.  Do away with any form of violence and guarantee that your "brotherhood" truly denotes what this word stands for.