“Itai-itai yamate, itai-itai yamate!” a study into the traditions and narratives of freshmen orientation camps
Freshmen orientation camps in local universities frequently make headlines due to the prevalence of inappropriate camp activities. Despite complaints stemming over the past decade, a recently published media article reported increasingly sexualised orientation camp activities and games, sparking pub...
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| Format: | Final Year Project |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2017
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70018 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | Freshmen orientation camps in local universities frequently make headlines due to the prevalence of inappropriate camp activities. Despite complaints stemming over the past decade, a recently published media article reported increasingly sexualised orientation camp activities and games, sparking public outrage and a subsequent ban on camps. This study seeks to understand why certain camp activities are regarded as “traditions” and how they perpetuate despite increased regulatory measures imposed by university administrations. Through a symbolic interactionist framework, this research also examines the differing narratives and camp experiences of university seniors and alumni who had participated in camps in their freshmen year. Findings revealed a power hierarchy exists between seniors and freshmen that can lead to peer pressure and an unquestioning obedience to carry out symbolically meaningful, but potentially problematic, camp activities and traditions. |
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