Why do frats and sororities have paddles?

The fraternity and sorority paddle is most commonly used today as a decorative keepsake representing brotherhood or sisterhood and is given as a gift according to a local chapter's traditions. The history of the paddle, however, is rooted in violence and remains both a tool and symbol of hazing in Greek organizations.

Why do frats make paddles?

The Paddle's Place in the Greek Community

To show their appreciation, little brothers and sisters present their mentor with a paddle as a sign of gratitude, loyalty and respect. Also, many fraternities give paddles to newly pledged members as a welcoming sign of inclusion into the chapter.

Do fraternities use paddles?

Pledges often purchase a blank wooden paddle to decorate commemorating their membership into the Greek Organization or to give as a gift to their “big brother” or “big sister” within the fraternity or sorority. To most sorority alumnae today, paddles represent sisterhood, pride, and tradition.

What are paddles used for?

When used for paddling a boat, a paddle is a simple solid tool, flat at one end, used to propel a boat in a direction opposite its applied force. A mixing paddle is used to more thoroughly mix separate ingredients within a mixture.

Why do sororities paint paddles?

These paddles aren't meant to be used for hazing. They are meant as a genuine present for a new sister and are just another way of showing your pride for your sorority.

Why colleges tolerate fraternities

What do you put in a frat paddle?

It is important to have the fraternity's Greek letters, your name and the recipient's name. It is also a good idea to put the name of the "family" that adopted you within the fraternity and the current year, along with "fall," "spring" or "summer." Use the wooden letters to spell out all of the names.

What is fraternity hazing?

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. There are three components that define hazing: It occurs in a group context. Humiliating, degrading, or endangering behavior.

What happens if a frat gets caught hazing?

Those who are accused of engaging in hazing behaviors may face legal actions up to and including jailtime. In addition, victims of hazing may pursue monetary damage in civil court from individuals and groups involved. The U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, prohibits hazing.

What do frats do to pledges?

A pledge can expect to make early morning house calls to the fraternity house. This could be to clean up after the actives threw a party, to have meetings or to even be quizzed. The duties of a pledge include anything from cleaning the fraternity house to driving actives to and from classes.

What are the 3 components of hazing?

The following are some examples of hazing divided into three categories: subtle, harassment, and violent. It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides some common examples of hazing traditions.

Do you paint the back of a sorority paddle?

Paint it. The first step in making your paddle is to paint it. You may be staining it, painting it, or decorating the paddle in some way, but this step should be done first. Painting is most common.

Does hazing still happen?

Indeed, hazing is not only banned by most colleges and universities but also violates laws in nearly every U.S. state, but these incidents continue to occur. A recent NBC News report noted that, from 2000 to 2021, at least 50 college students died from hazing incidents.

Why do you make your big a paddle?

What are paddles for in sororities? Wooden paddles are decorative gifts that sorority littles give to their bigs at a special jersey-paddle swap ceremony. A paddle is a keepsake for the big, so wherever the big goes in life, she will always remember her little and the memories they have shared.

When did hazing start in fraternities?

The Origins of Hazing

The term hazing regularly became used in 1684 after a student at Harvard was the first to be expelled for hitting students and having them perform acts of servitude. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, social fraternities started hazing.

How do you paint a pledge paddle?

How do you paint on a paddle?

How long is a fraternity paddle?

Greek paddles can range in size from small key chains to 2 1/2 feet tall. In general, your paddle should be four times as long as it is wide. If your design is 4 inches wide, the paddle should be 16 inches long. The length includes the handle.

What is hazing a coyote?

Hazing is a method that makes use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote's fear of humans and deter them from backyards and play spaces.

What is the most common hazing behavior?

What are some frat hazing rituals?