If Hazing is Wrong, what's a better alternative?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by msl2008

haha...i found the last few posts quite interesting. first of all, you might not believe this but i'm actually one of the more rational ones. i rarely hazed people except to get a point across and most pledges thanked me after they crossed because they told me they understood the points i was making.

Going back to this comment...

You say most pledges thanked you. Let's give you the benefit of the doubt and say that 90% of them thought that what you did meant something, and they really appreciated it. That sounds like a good number. But let's not forget that 40% of the pledge class dropped, and clearly didn't appreciate it. Let's pretend you have a pledge class of 10 to start. 4 of them leave. Of the 6 left, 1 of them hated it and didn't enjoy being yelled at, but made it through the process anyway. That leaves 5 members of the class that actually found a meaning in it. Half. That's a pretty low number if you ask me. And not worth it.

[Ghostwriter]

Hazing really took off after WWI when the GI's came back from overseas and attended colleges. They wanted to take what they learned in boot camp and apply it to their brotherhoods. Most Fraternities were founded earlier than this timeframe and hazing was not a part of their founding.

I was hazed a long time ago and it did nothing for me. It kind of makes for interesting conversation amongst alums but it did not make me a stronger brother. It always seemed that the ones who hazed the worse were the slackers and did nothing constructive for the chapter. As a pledge trainer I concentrated on building a cohesive pledge class and having them work closely with each other and interact with the brotherhood. Learn the history, learn the lore, learn about the brothers, be true to your family, God, brotherhood and country. You don't have to do push ups or sit ups to accomplish this.

As an alum, as you say you are, you may subject yourself to being kicked permanently out of many Fraternities for any such activities. Ask yourself if it is worth it.

[Forgotten Zeta]

[quote=Ghostwriter;1791453]As a pledge trainer I concentrated on building a cohesive pledge class and having them work closely with each other and interact with the brotherhood. Learn the history, learn the lore, learn about the brothers, be true to your family, God, brotherhood and country. You don't have to do push ups or sit ups to accomplish this.


actually, it can build a cohesiveness within a pledge class. when you experience something that's actually difficult (not just memorizing old lore) with another person and have the opportunity to bond with them, motivate them, and rely on them you build a much stronger bond than someone who just does some fundraising or studies with you. It is a rite of passage knowing that every member of the organization has experienced what you are experiencing. You don't have to be worked to death, beaten, or forced to drink to have this type of experience either. I'm proud of what i went through to earn my letters, and it was evident that every other member was also. the best times i've ever had as a brother were out at the house with just other brothers hanging out but the bond that made that interaction possible was forged during the pledge period. Nobody forced me to do anything, i was free to walk whenever i wanted to. i have absolutely no problem with those who wish not to haze whatsoever, but i hope that the program at my chapter never changes.