Quote:
Originally Posted by NotYetGreek
I asked this question because it IS NOT a simply answered question. Some posters are acting like I'm stupid for asking this, yet there are MANY threads in the Risk Management section about chapters being suspended and closed for hazing allegations. As for not doing enough, or the right, research, many of the articles are reporting deaths. I don't think you can exaggerate that. Either someone died, or they didn't.
I'm not asking for people to beg me to rush. As someone who wants to join a sorority for the social, academic, and philanthropy positives, I asked for information and opinions on the serious matter. Not for reassurance. I don't think I deserve to be patronized over a sincere concern.
If this was a non-issue there would not be so much debate over it.
Thank you to those who took the time to seriously reply.
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Even among my friends who attended school at some of the most "old school" institutions, I rarely hear of hazing and have never heard of any dangerous hazing in "real life" (meaning not from anyone I know personally). It's unlikely you'll be hazed, but the bottom line is that you can always remove yourself from an uncomfortable situation. I don't think it makes sense to avoid rushing for fear of being hazed because it's very unlikely you'll experience hazing, especially dangerous hazing. Go ahead and rush. If you pledge a group that hazes (including mental/emotional abuse..it isn't just physical) you can contact their national/international office as well as the NPC and the Greek Advisor at your school...and then quit.
I think what most people here are getting at is that you probably will not be hazed, and that the extreme incidents you read about here are few and far between. The fact is athletic teams haze, fraternities haze, sororities haze...groups of any kind can haze, but usually the individual groups that do are in the minority. Don't miss out for fear of these incidents. Just keep your eyes open and if you start to feel uncomfortable, find an older member you trust and ask them what the deal is. Then you'll be able to decide whether or not you want to stay with the group. Obviously if you find yourself in a situation where real harm (again either mental/emotional or physical) is being done, simply remove yourself and take proper action to help prevent other women from being in the same boat. But you are far more likely to have a pleasant experience rushing and fond memories of your chapter after you leave college than you are to experience hazing.