GOING komando, Asrama harlem shake and Mamat bangla are only a few of the videos which have gone viral over social networking websites, depicting shameful acts of ragging. While it may be amusing for viewers, those involved may still be suffering the consequences.
The most recent reported case was in June this year involving seven public university freshmen who were allegedly abused by 10 of their seniors, including being forced to strip and perform lewd acts on each other at the university’s hostel.
Counselling psychologist Dr Gerard Louis said ragging is merely a word used as a license to bully and cause hurt to others.
“Ragging has been happening for decades in sorority houses in the United States. Somehow, our undergraduates have adopted this tradition.
“It can happen in very subtle ways. The more external and explicit forms are easy to spot but it’s the more implicit kind of bullying that’s difficult to track and can have serious implications.”
With the popularity of social media, the effects of ragging are far greater today than what they were a couple of years ago, Louis said.
“Like any other traumatic experience, ragging can impact a person for many, many years later, depending on the extent of it. But ragging is more traumatic today with the advent of social media.
“As Asians, we are very conservative and are taught from young to protect our modesty. In our culture, going around half-naked can have a major impact on one’s life.
“Can you imagine people uploading embarrassing pictures and videos of you for the whole world to see? Imagine thousands with access to images of you running around naked. The embarrassment doesn’t stop at just one person, it extends to parents, siblings and relatives.”
Integrated Psychology Network director and psychologist Valerie Jaques concurred.
“Ragging which is made public through social media can be extremely damaging to an individual’s personality development, and with maladaptive strategies, the individual is highly likely to experience mental illness, either at that point in time or at a later stage when he or she can’t live with the shame. They may turn their attack inwards and be self-harming, or turn the attack outwards and harm others.
“Any form of ragging that’s related to public shaming and embarrassment can have lasting effects of problems with personality as well as psychopathology.
“Research has shown that there’s a strong relationship between shame and psychopathology with focus on anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, social withdrawal and fear of relationships. In addition, research has also proven that there’s a relationship between shame and various personality disorders.”
Juniors with underlying issues or those who have sensitive dispositions may be more fragile and delicate than others, Dr Louis said.
“They may have gone through some sort of bullying in school which may have created self-esteem issues. This makes them very sensitive to aggression.
“Think of it this way: if you already have a physical injury on your ankle and someone kicks you at that same spot repeatedly; imagine the pain, hurt and long-term damage. These individuals could easily develop ideas of suicide. There are surely other ways to break the ice without having to break a person’s psyche.
“Asking a freshie to sing a song or putting a frog in his underwear may seem like silly gestures. But while some laugh about it, others may find it extremely humiliating. Basically, ragging compounds the emotional state one is already in. So, for some, the silliest act can be traumatising.
“Also, once a person is labelled early on by strangers, that label can stick. This will be mental torture throughout the person’s university life and many won’t be able to handle it.”
Because ragging is done in groups, the lines of reason are often blurred, he added.
“We’re dealing with a group of people who are getting into an emotional frenzy, and nobody dares to be different. Even if one thinks certain acts are degrading, he dares not stand up for fear of being the next target.”
Louis said it’s a shame that although the issue has been highlighted so many times, over so many years, there are still so many incidences.
“We are so careful about safety and security at school level, to ensure children feel safe. Many schools make sure there are adults present during break times and before the start of classes. But when they’re sent to university, the situation is free for all.”
Besides rules and regulations, it’s extremely important to educate young adults on the importance of treating people with dignity and respect, even juniors, he said.
“At that age, our young adults should already be able to make dignified and responsible choices.
“Orientation programmes are about helping freshies bond with their seniors. We don’t need to humiliate them for that to happen.
“Organise telematches, have team-building activities and create healthy competitions between seniors and juniors. We can have loads of happy and healthy laughter without putting anyone down.
“Also, seniors need to be made aware that if they play the role of mentor and coach, their juniors and others will talk to and look up to them for years to come.
“It may take a few batches of seniors to eliminate ragging from university life, but it has to start somewhere.”