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[QUOTE="dilligaf, post: 1526007, member: 5351"]
There is an extreme range of perception on fraternities here.

People who joined have generally favorable view; some others distrust them as cults.

My pledge experience:
Six weeks of ball busting, harmless and not particularly degrading.
We learned songs and poems; did pushups, chugged a few beers (no 64 ounce of vodka challenges - that's assault)
We participated in many social events on campus; more than I would have attended on my own.

We donated time and raised money for charity.
Nobody was raped.    Fraternity brothers have as much respect for law and others as anyone else.

We leveraged our college experience.  I socialized with many more of my college peers than I otherwise would have.
We had chapters at both of the local colleges so we shared in each school's social events.

Universities exert institutional control over fraternities; informal/underground clubs are not scrutinized.
Typically, fraternities have alumni advisors that are involved.  They help keep things real.
Many of the criminal hazing incidents, recently reported in media,  involved "outlaw fraternities" which aren't fraternities at all.

There may be some hardcore frats out there that go too far,
but once they are caught in illegal activities they are disbanded by responsible universities.

A parent could always inquire with university administration about any fraternities their child might consider.  I'd be more worried about my child hopping in a car driven by a reckless drunk "friend".
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