Hazing: Is it always bad?

[NeonPi]

After hearing of all the hazing incidences (men and women) that have occured this past MONTH, much less fall, I really can't believe that anyone could accept hazing.

There are enough pressures on Greeks already without flouting the worst PR thing that could happen - hazing. Univeristies don't want Greeks because of the bad PR of Greeks. Students don't want to join because of (primarily) hazing and the lack of individuality.

Hazing just reinforces the "Greek" stereotype - what does it have to take for people to realize that your actions are what people see as Greek behavior - positive or not. Sisterhood and brotherhood means having respect and trust of each other, that hazing in itself is morally (much less legally) wrong. These are KIDS we are talking about - they don't know their own limits, and every year, there is a tragedy that someone has to live with for the rest of their lives - I don't think that is what we send our sons and daughters to college for.

I was an older student when I joined, and had my chapter even attempted to 'haze' me, I would have walked as well as my entire NM class. There is no place or reason for hazing anymore - if you can't build brotherhood or sisterhood on common interests and positive experiences, and most importantly, RESPECT without hazing, well, you have truly missed out the fabulous friends I still have after pledging 9 years ago.

*Sorry* to be on a soapbox, but I could have made friends without a sorority - I just felt I could contribute more to student life than just a student number. As an alumnae now, I supervise and counsel chapters, and they have a zero tolerance towards hazing, and pride themselves on it. I only hope that other young men and women have the chance to experience Greek life positively

Just some food for thought ....