Abstract

This article provides an analysis of a sub-set of data gathered by Allan and Madden (2008) in the National Study of Student Hazing that included 11,482 survey responses from undergraduate students enrolled at 53 colleges and universities and more than 300 interviews with students and campus personnel at 18 of those institutions. Our analysis of the student interview data explored how students define hazing and the extent to which their definitions may be gendered. Binary constructions of harm, building friendship, and compulsion/opting are key themes described; implications and recommendations for practice and future research are also discussed.