[shadokat]

I agree with Beta in that hazing creates HUGE divisions between pledge classes and the actual brother/sisterhood. I have had friends go through hell during pledging, and end up hating most of the sisters they were gaga over during recruitment. Also, most times if you want to go towards a non-hazing pledge program and you were hazed, most folks aren't going to want it, because of the "They're going through the same hell I did" mindset.

That said, James does have a point. On my campus, nearly every group hazes, and it's pretty well known. My one friend said it was a privilege to do the dishes or clean the bathroom during her pledge program. But most of the rushees expect that they're going to be hazed. They think that they'll be chugging beer, cleaning toilets with toothbrushes and all the other crap that goes along with stereotypes. If it doesn't happen, they're surprised! I don't think this should be an excuse though to continue hazing. I know plenty of strong brother/sisterhoods that continue to flourish with non-hazing pledge programs.