Hazing should never be expected upon joining a Greek organization, but yet, www.stophazing.org reports that 73% of Greek men and women have experienced hazing during their membership. Since the beginning of Greek life, the goal of fraternities and sororities has been to better their members by upholding certain standards of membership. The bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are supposed to come from love and respect, but in many chapters, those bonds now come from intimidation. How did hazing become so ingrained in Greek life, and what can we do to stop it?
First of all, what is hazing? From the time one joins an organization, one is overwhelmed with the amount of differing definitions of hazing. According to www.stophazing.org, hazing is “any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.” Forty-four states have implemented anti-hazing laws, but the severity of the laws varies by state. Some states recognize physical abuse as hazing; some states include mental abuse in their hazing laws as well. Collegiate policies regarding hazing also vary by university.
Standing up to an entire chapter about a situation is overwhelming for even the most outgoing and confident person. Hazing is a heavy, sensitive subject and sticking to your morals in the face of three hundred other members can be incredibly intimidating. Because of this, hazing is ignored, and the problem continues. However, one does not need to stand in front of one’s entire chapter in order to prevent hazing. Hazing ends with someone refusing to participate in an activity that may result in hazing. Hazing ends with someone saying, “Do you really think this is a good idea?” and “Let’s do this instead.” Hazing ends by realizing that others have had different lives than you, and therefore, different experiences; an activity that may not seem like hazing to you could potentially harm someone in irreversible ways.
I’ve been lucky; my chapter is a strong advocate against hazing, and I have never personally experienced any form of hazing. However, others are not so lucky. Fraternities and sororities alike have been shut down for hazing, and lives have been lost because a stupid prank went too far. Preventing hazing doesn’t require one person to stand up to an entire chapter in a big way. All it truly requires is for many members to stand up to hazing in little ways. No matter how “ingrained” hazing is in a chapter, it can, and should, be ended before it completely destroys everything that the Greek community stands for.
