Should Colleges Ban Hazing? — Survey of the Day

The stated goal of college fraternities and sororities is to promote brotherhood and sisterhood among their members. In many of these organizations, hazing of pledges is a technique that is used to build these bonds. Occasionally, though, this hazing gets out of hand, and a pledge is seriously injured or worse. So, should colleges ban hazing to protect their students?

According to a Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,000 adults, 61 percent say fraternities and sororities should be prohibited from hazing potential new members as part of their initiation. Twenty-five percent say hazing should be allowed, and 14 percent aren't sure where they stand.

Recently a freshman at Fresno State University died after an alcohol-related pledging incident, reigniting the discussion of whether hazing is appropriate or even safe.

[Rasmussen]