Quote:
Originally Posted by LPIDelta
You can do that, and most of what you mentioned above, without hazing. The problem is, groups that haze want to take the easy route. They want to humiliate instead of uplift. They want to physically or mentally abuse in the name of team building--when there are so many other ways to accomplish the same task, probably better. Hazing is easy...choosing not to, and being dedicated to true brother/sisterhood and human dignity, is a greater challenge.
I've mentioned several times that I was hazed, and it did nothing to bring us together. It scared my class mates to the point we were attacking the littlest thing instead working together in an uplifting manner. I don't talk to most of those women today so no life long bond was created.
To me, being a man doesn't mean demeaning or treating others poorly. Educating new members should be about challenging each other so that they become BETTER men. So that they learn how to run a business. So that they learn how to deal with people from all backgrounds. So that they learn how to be a brother. It should not be about proving yourself capable of thousands of push-ups or reciting information or playing mind games.
*Off my soapbox*
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On the other hand, it's easy to ban anything that might remotely be seen as character-building - on the premise that it
might be
perceived as hazing. What happened to honor? Honor among brothers, or sisters, I might add, means they'll stop true
hazing.
My house used to reveal big sisters by having all the pledges find a string with their name on it as they got to the house. They followed that string for up to an hour, all through the house, finding clues and gifts along the way. It finally ended up tied to their big in the chapter room. Somebody felt that
might lead to hazing...and the tradition was shut down.
Prohibiting behaviors outright is the coward's way out.
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