"Wow, hazing is really cool," said no one ever. That's right, no one likes it. But on the other hand, we still need to do some sort of bonding or activities to grow closer with one another. Sending pledges on a scavenger hunt, making them do wall-sits or workouts to get healthier, making them clean before/after parties, and having them as an extra safety net for the group has been a part of Greek Life for over a hundred years. There are, in fact, acts of hazing that aren't harmful... but they shouldn't be referred to as "hazing" either.

Hazing is unrealistic, harmful, and completely unnecessary.

Greek Life has been under some heavy fire for the last decade. Ancient traditions involving masculinity, looks, and "earning your place" have been catching more and more heat every year. Greek life has been around for a long time for both men and women, allowing like-minded people to come together to practice and discuss their interests. The thing is, people, scrutinize these groups while in reality, every culture that has ever existed has maintained such societies. These traditions that originally brought most of these men and women together are now being examined under a very strict and controlling microscope... one that isn't looking at all aspects of "hazing."

But what people are forgetting is that, when joining any type of group, it is a process of learning the ropes and finding your place in the group.

So let's forget the word "hazing" here for a minute and let it be known simply as a rite of passage into the Greek Community.

In most organizations around the world, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. A guy I know once said, "when you join a company, team, or even the military (which is actually what Greek life is based on), the idea of 'pledgeship' is meant to bring unity." Hazing is simply a bad word with some horrible connotations (and for good reason). But everyone assumes that the tradition of earning your spot in an organization is equivalent to hazing.

Whether it's military boot-camp, two-a-days on a football team, eight-hour practices to learn choreography on a dance team, or pledgeship in Greek Life, the hardest parts are what bring people together and encourage the most sincere bond. The support and encouragement of one another to get through it has an effect like no other.

To be blunt, degrading one another can go under the definition of hazing while going through challenges such as a scavenger hunt, community service challenges, or helping to clean up, can be filed under the rite of passage section.

There is a difference.

Here are some reasons that we NEED to have a rite of passage in some sort of POSITIVE manner. NO HAZING ALLOWED.

1. Tradition is valuable.

Going on scavenger hunts... older brothers and sisters had to do it and as a younger member, all you want to do is carry on the tradition to make them proud. No matter how stupid of a tradition it is, you just want to prove that you are just as committed as they were. Being a part of something so much bigger than you is an incredibly surreal feeling.

2. It fosters a bond within the pledge class.

Doing something hard together, something truly difficult that you couldn't do alone, and depending on your brothers/sisters to get you through, bonds you like no other. For example, challenge the pledges to little contests for things like the best-timed mile, best GPA, or most service hours. These are all bettering the members while bonding them with experiences as well.

3. It creates a union between the pledge class and the older actives.

You can't just join a club and immediately feel like you're a part of it. You have to be welcomed and accepted by the people who were in it before you. It makes you realize that you're not just living in a house, but that you're actually brotherhood/sisterhood.

4. The memories are priceless.

One of the best parts of joining a group is the progress you make on your way up. You will start at the bottom in most cases, meaning you have plenty of room to f*ck up, and you'll eventually be able to say you're a leader in the group. The important thing is to make memories along the way. Don't try to shut out all the embarrassing moments either because honestly, those are some of the best stories. For example, I played flag football this year while representing my sorority and we were the first team of the day to take a loss... but it doesn't matter because at least I can say that I once played quarterback. WOO!

5. Earning your spot feels good.

I've noticed that it truly feel so much better to be a part of something when you know you've damn well earned your spot. It wasn't just given to you, it wasn't plopped into your lap one day, and you didn't stumble upon it by accident. You EARNED it.

6. The achievement is real.

That last day before initiation comes and you're so ready to just get it over with. The next thing you know, you're already excited to rush the new potential members for the following year. Then, your senior year comes quicker than expected. You look back at all that your house has helped you to accomplish over the years. Everyone is cheering for you and guess what... Congratulations. You’ve made it.

7. Natural leaders are identified and shine brightly.

Not everyone can make it through the process... Of course, the goal is to help everyone get through it, but not everyone will wantto. Some people don't realize how natural of a leader or follower they are until joining a large group like this.

8. There is a sense of pride in the process, from both sides.

The members teaching the ways of the house, as well as the potential new members learning the ropes, feel a sense of pride in taking part in/carrying on such a nationwide held tradition.

9. It teaches discipline.

By promoting a sort of discipline and goal-oriented way of life within the group, Greek life is also helping to instill that this truly is their rite of passage. It also encourages and challenges the members to explore their coping skills.

10. New members get a valuable reality check for the real world.

Making the new members work hard to keep up their grades, health, and attitude and pushing them to realize that they don't just get to waltz into the house and automatically have their letters means more than anyone who's not a part of Greek life will ever know. Greek Life is shaping the future leaders of America by enforcing such policies. Most of the Greek Community's members will be faced with challenges or tasks we often see in the workforce.

11. The new members become closer than ever thought possible.

Having a rite of passage is good for the soul when it is done correctly (which it almost always is). It taught me discipline, it encouraged a strong work-ethic, and it helped me check my vastly overinflated freshman ego with some real world situations... all while introducing me to my "forever friends."