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Dekeguy,
Thanks for joining the discussion. I'm glad to finally get a decent perspective on the topic I asked to be discussed. I also agree with everything you wrote. I pledged my fraternity in 1992 and naturally I am an alumnus now. I know what I went through. It was in no way easy and I can pretty much confirm that it would be considered hazing by just about everyone that reads these threads. However, I am also not ashamed to tell anyone what I had to do. I do not seek out anyone to tell about my pledge season because, like you said, "it's family business." But, now that I'm an alumni, when I have a pledge ask me what he will go through, I give a pretty good idea of what will be asked of him. I tell him that it will not be easy and it will definitely be a challenge. I also tell him that if he feels he is being degraded or physically or mentally abused by an active during pledge season, to let someone in the fraternity know. I have been an alumnus since 1996 and I am yet to have a pledge complain of being degraded or harmed. After pledge season is over, they all say it was tough but worth it.
I also completely agree with the comment that you made at the very beginning of your reply. No matter what you do during pledge season as an active, you still have to look that guy in the eye after it is over and call him your brother. You are also asking that guy to have the same respect for you and have him consider you his brother. I think that this is what shows all of us where the line is.
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