Kidnapping: Fun or Hazing?

Kidnapping: Fun or Hazing?

The recurring homecoming tradition of kidnapping has often been questioned as hazing or innocent fun? Kidnapping is when an upperclassman goes to the home of an underclassman early in the morning, and wakes them up, usually unexpectedly, then drives them around while telling them to do things that can be embarrassing at various places they might decide to stop. After that they generally take them out to breakfast, dress them up in an outfit that was not of their choice, and sometimes tell them things they can and can’t do during the school day.

When asked about his opinion on kidnapping Mr. Sowah (North High School staff member) said” I can see how it’s meant to be fun […] but it’s easy for a situation that’s supposed to be fun to turn bad”. In Mr. Sowah’s opinion he feels it kind of sounds like bullying. When asked Zanab Tiamiyu (15 ) described her experience of being kidnapped as “fun [and] exciting” and she also said “I hate how they [administration] try to ban kidnapping”

Regardless of where the thought of kidnapping stands in the minds of North High School staff and students, it’s important to consider Mr. Sowah’s closing remarks on the issue, “ [It’s] up to the students to make sure they don’t go out of line [with kidnapping]. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt which should be considered by both the kidnapper and kidnapped in the recurring homecoming tradition of kidnapping.