Hazing in Fraternities and Sororities: Worth the Experience?

Hazing, a term that evokes both nostalgia and horror for many, has been a part of collegiate life in various forms around the world. From the streets of Paris to high school hallways, hazing has been a common initiation ritual that many young adults have experienced. However, the question still lingers: is it worth it?

Personal Experiences of Hazing

Decades Ago in Paris: A Brutal Initiation

Back in the 1980s, when I was a student at the French university boys’ school, hazing was a rite of passage into a fraternity-like organization. It was definitely a BAD experience. We were treated like slaves for three months, running errands, doing push-ups, polishing shoes, and more. At one point, we were paraded through the Latin Quarter in Paris, often in our underwear, asking women to marry us. Any refusal meant a form of punishment. Forced nudity was uncommon, but sometimes pictures were taken and shown to female friends, including our own. It was a dehumanizing experience that I truly hated.

High School Memory: A Tough but Worthwhile Test

In high school, after being lettered, one could join the Letterman's club if they passed a series of tasks. These involved dressing up as girls, running miles with a "god-awful" cone in our mouth (which is not generally advisable for health reasons), and running around town in underwear with the local sheriff providing security by stopping traffic. While it was tough, it was definitely worth every minute.

No Hazing in My Fraternity

My personal experience with hazing was the opposite. I joined a fraternity that banned all hazing, and it still does. It’s important to note that hazing is far less prevalent in fraternities than many think. In fact, it’s not as common as it might seem. Most of those who were hazed to their detriment are now either deceased, committed suicide, or in prison. In contrast, I am a full-time carpenter.

Modern Pledgeship: A Mixed Experience

Many students have experienced pledgeship, which can be a beast but is often worth the experience. Initially, pledgeship was mainly about "funny" stuff, but as time went on, it became more serious.

Initial Duties and Pledge Tests

Duties in pledgeship often included cleaning the house, attending weekly pledge tests, and being prepared for any unexpected tasks. If a pledge failed the tests, they had to be at the house in a certain room from 7 am to 7 pm. If someone was late, the penalty carried over to the next day but lasted from 6 am to 8 pm. There was also a mandatory dress code, collared shirts, no cargo shorts, and no lanyards. Pledges had to wear their pledge pin and keep their pledge manual on them at all times.

The Lineups: A Hilarious but Ridiculous Part of Pledgeship

Lineups were a mandatory part of pledgeship and were frequently ridiculed by the fraternity. During meals, if there was no class, pledges had to be in line, which was the most hilarious part. Lineups progressively got worse and worse but were not something to fear until the last few weeks. After the first eight weeks, pledgeship ended with pledge races and a few other events that were mostly not harmful.

Hell Week: The Most Intense but Not the Scariest Part

The most intense part of pledgeship was hell week, which lasted for 4-5 days. Although it wasn't enjoyable, it wasn't all that bad. The worst part was the last few weeks of pledgeship. Some schools have harder pledgeships, and often the better or more traditional a fraternity is, the harder they will haze. The level of harshness can vary widely depending on the school.

Personal Reflections and Advice

If you are worried about hazing, ask older alumni from the school. In most cases, unless it’s a big school known for bad hazing, it’s not something to be overly concerned about. Most of the time, it’s worth it. Sororities might also haze but usually with less severe forms of initiation, such as body shaming and making pledges do stuff with guys or drugs. However, most people want to do such things anyway. Don’t be scared—hazing feeds off fear.

In conclusion, while hazing can be a tough experience, it is often a rite of passage that can lead to bonding, loyalty, and a strong sense of belonging. It’s worth sticking it out and experiencing the journey, as it can be transformative and rewarding in the end.