Soccer players suspended for hazing teammates

By Staff Writer

Hazing has become a hot topic in the Boston area following an incident that led to the suspension of 10 high school girls.

According to The Boston Globe, a group of upperclassmen on the varsity soccer team allegedly blindfolded several younger players, put a dog collar on one of the girls and threw whipped cream pies into their faces. Some of the girls allegedly were taunted and forced to praise seniors on the team.

The school suspended the girls involved in the incident, which prompted them to miss their last tournament soccer game of the season. Reactions to the suspensions have been mixed: Some feel that the punishment was too harsh for events that were meant to be fun, while others believe the girls went too far and the penalty fits the crime.

The news provider reports that Massachusetts implemented an anti-hazing law more than 20 years ago that applies to secondary schools. In addition, the school where the incident occurred has an anti-hazing rule in its student handbook.

According to The Gordie Foundation, hazing is an abusive and destructive practice that many students believe is a rite of passage. The organization states that hazing can be subtle or violent, but the psychological repercussions are long lasting for kids who are humiliated in front of their peers.