Well, this perception may be true with NPC/IFC orgs but with NPHC and other HBGLOs (and some LGLOs as well), stress is expected and demanded.
Many times, people come on the board saying that they expect to be hazed. They say that because they do not know the difference between hazing and pledging. They are expecting it not to be easy and it shouldn't.
When you hear expressions like 'crossing the burning sands' and 'trial by fire', even 'taking wood' (often times literally but sometimes not) you know that your process is expected to be challenging and hard.
BUT the pledging is designed to help you realize your strengths and weakness as well as bond with your ls/lb and bs/bb. It is also designed to teach you the importance of time management, group think, hard work and service to others.
All this is to prepare you for the work in the org AFTER you cross, which is when the REAL pledging begins....there is no PR campaign here!
Quote:
Originally posted by sigmagrrl:
I can see where you are coming from with the definition of stress and anxiety. I am glad you clarified that for me...But I do still have reservations about it because I feel that the new member period and sisterhood is COMPLETELY marketed this way at recruitment. So, in essence, I guess what I am saying is: are we being truthful when meeting prospective members? Do we tell them that being a sister involves good times and bad, but it is how the sisterhood/brotherhood handles these stressful times TOGETHER that make all the difference in how you will remember this time of your life?? Or do we play that Vitamin C song, give them cake and balloons, and then WHAM! Here's what sisterhood is NOT like??? I am speaking from a personal note because I have experienced these negative sides and think that these experiences have affected the sisterhood to this day (7 years later)!! I don't think I am being unrealistic, but I do have good hindsight. I know that if we had been told that pledging can be a stressful time, I would have been better prepared for those stressors (balancing homework/internship/studying with new member activities)...
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