Thinking of rushing..Terrified of hazing

[Alumiyum]

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.

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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

It's unlikely you'll be hazed...I think what most people here are getting at is that you probably will not be hazed...but usually the individual groups that do are in the minority.

General statement:
I don't think it's wise for Greeks (regardless of the council and conference) to assume and therefore tell aspirants this. We only know what will happen in the (collegiate or alumnae) chapters that we are involved in.

And I don't think it's true that (again, across council and conference) the collegiate chapters (and football teams, etc.) that haze are in the minority. Many GLOs' policies generally operate under a broad definition of hazing as to capture all sorts of "unofficial rites of passage" that members can come up with.

PNMs/aspirants who are grown and mature enough to pursue membership can also accept such honesty and potential for harsh reality.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

General statement:
I don't think it's wise for Greeks (regardless of the council and conference) to assume and therefore tell aspirants this. We only know what will happen in the (collegiate or alumnae) chapters that we are involved in.

And I don't think it's true that (again, across council and conference) the collegiate chapters (and football teams, etc.) that haze are in the minority. Many GLOs' policies generally operate under a broad definition of hazing as to capture all sorts of "unofficial rites of passage" that members can come up with.

PNMs/aspirants who are grown and mature enough to pursue membership can also accept such honesty and potential for harsh reality.

"As of February 12, 2010, the number of recorded hazing/pledging/rushing-related deaths in fraternities and sororities stands at 96 - 90 males and 6 females. *"

Since the OP specifically referred to death and other extreme measures of hazing, this is an important statistic to consider. I have not found a reputable link that gives a current statistic on specifically Greek hazing incidents, but hazingprevention.org, where my statistic came from, says that 55% of students in college have been hazed...in a club/athletic team/other organization. So since by this definition we all had over a 50% chance of being hazed regardless of the organization we joined, I stand by my statement that worrying about dying or being severely mentally/emotionally/physically shouldn't be a deterrent in deciding to rush. For someone that appears to be as aware of, and against, hazing as the OP seems to be, it stands to reason that they would be able to recognize hazing if it occurred, remove themselves from the situation, and hopefully follow through by reporting the hazing.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

"As of February 12, 2010, the number of recorded hazing/pledging/rushing-related deaths in fraternities and sororities stands at 96 - 90 males and 6 females. *"

Since the OP specifically referred to death and other extreme measures of hazing, this is an important statistic to consider. I have not found a reputable link that gives a current statistic on specifically Greek hazing incidents, but hazingprevention.org, where my statistic came from, says that 55% of students in college have been hazed...in a club/athletic team/other organization. So since by this definition we all had over a 50% chance of being hazed regardless of the organization we joined, I stand by my statement that worrying about dying or being severely mentally/emotionally/physically shouldn't be a deterrent in deciding to rush.

This topic is similar to understanding that crime reports are based on known incidents which are a percentage of actual incidents. Self-report studies and victimization studies of crime find that crime is more prevalent than 911 calls, official reports, and statistics reflect.

A similar effect would be found if there was a self-report and victimization study for fraternity and sorority hazing administered at colleges and universities.

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

"For someone that appears to be as aware of, and against, hazing as the OP seems to be, it stands to reason that they would be able to recognize hazing if it occurred, remove themselves from the situation, and hopefully follow through by reporting the hazing.

I agree. And I believe that's what PNMs/aspirants need to be reminded of. That's actually what some GLOs formally focus on during informationals/rush/aspirant programs/new member periods. This approach focuses on state laws and NHQ and school policies rather than telling aspirants whether they probably will or will not be hazed at a particular chapter. These organizations recognize that PNMs don't need members to pretend as though they know how much actual (undisclosed) hazing occurs in every chapter and can predict whether the PNM will be hazed. That can set unrealistic expectations that can lead to people saying "you told me it probably wouldn't happen" as opposed to "it isn't supposed to happen/it's against policies so please speak out if it happens."