“Itai-itai yamate, itai-itai yamate!” a study into the traditions and narratives of freshmen orientation camps

• Main Author: Neo, Michelle Yu Jia
• Other Authors: Laavanya Kathiravelu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social behavior; DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social structure
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70018
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

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.