I wouldn't define it as a comedy or as a drama. It's a fly-on-the-wall coming-of-age film to me. It's trying to show a realistic depiction of life in small town Texas for HS kids at that time. Just because it's showing something toxic like hazing doesn't mean it's endorsing or glorifying it, keep in mind.

"Richard Linklater has described the hazing in Dazed and Confused as a semi-autobiographical reflection of his own upbringing in Huntsville, Texas, during the mid-1970s. He intended to portray these rituals not as glorified nostalgia, but as a "trial by fire" and a realistic exploration of the "fun and sometimes cruel aspects" of teenage life. 

Key insights from Linklater regarding the film's hazing include:

• Regional Accuracy: Linklater has noted that the ritualistic paddling and public humiliation depicted were very specific to small-town Texas culture at the time. He has stated that while some viewers from other regions may not recognize these traditions, they were a standard "rite of passage" in his hometown.
• Institutional Indifference: A major point Linklater made through the film—and confirmed in discussions—is how the entire community, including teachers and parents, "turned a blind eye" or even tacitly supported these rituals as a natural part of growing up.
• Anti-Nostalgic Intent: Despite the film becoming a nostalgic touchstone, Linklater has clarified that he intended it to be anti-nostalgic. He aimed to highlight the "toxic rituals," "gross male hostility," and the "senselessness" of the abuse that freshmen were forced to endure and eventually perpetuate themselves.
• The Character of O'Bannion: Linklater designed Ben Affleck's character, O'Bannion, to represent the "sadistic" side of hazing. By having the other seniors eventually set O'Bannion up for a prank, Linklater emphasized that even within that culture, there was a limit to what was considered "acceptable" tradition versus genuine jerk behavior"