The original intent of "hazing" was to integrate a new person into a group. We are basically tribal and when a new person shows up, there needs to be something symbolic to help ease the updating of the group membership to include the new person. Something mildly embarrassing ad subservient, as a show of commitment from the new person, is usually in order. Hence, shaving of heads, or carrying of shoulder pads. The message is, "I'm willing to give up a little of my individuality in order to join this group. So, you can trust that I'm a member and will defend the turf with you." We are, after all, still animals.
It goes badly when a current member of the group is insecure or unstable, not confident in their own membership, and projects that into the process. The intensity is increased so that the new member will remain subservient
after the hazing is over, as a way for the insecure member to be dominant and thus create some security for themselves. In a way, the hazing never ends.
So "healthy" hazing has these characteristics:
- mildly embarrassing and subservient, and keeps the new member psychologically whole
- a clear end point when the new person is a member of the group
