Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking

by Hank Nuwer

"A grim . . . exposé by hazing expert Nuwer of the continuing yet largely unacknowledged crisis of death and injury among fraternity and sorority pledges. . . . [F]or its sustained examination of these rarely questioned traditions, Nuwer's work is invaluable." ―Kirkus Reviews

What forces young men and women to accept inhuman and degrading rituals in order to belong to a social club, sorority, or fraternity? Why do college administrators and Greek fraternities and sororities continue to allow practices that risk death or permanent psychological damage? Hank Nuwer confronts these questions in this hard-hitting, heartfelt look at the dark side of college fraternal life, newly updated for this paperback edition. Nuwer takes a broad look at the problem, examining its fundamental legal and historical roots and describing many instances of abuse and criminal behavior. A moving chronology lists the names of students who have died as a result of hazing activities in the U.S. from 1838 to 2001. The book concludes with Nuwer's recommendations for reform.

Genres: True Crime

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my independent study as well. I thought that this was a very insightful book. It included a lot of relevant research that is still needed to combat hazing, however, I felt that some of the research was a bit outdated. I think an updated edition is necessary as the recommendations provided are 23 years old. Nuwer has written several books, so I am curious if some of his other works are more recent and relevant. I would like to return to this book at a later date to analyze it in a more in-depth manner.

[Geona Childress · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wrong of passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking by: Hank Nuwer is a non-fiction book that goes in depth the consequences and negative outcome in college Greek life. Wrong of passage was a valuable book when it came to understanding the inside of a culture for my ethnography. Ethnography is a video production wear you go in depth in a culture that you aren’t familiar with in hopes of discovering something new. It is important to interrupt the culture instead of evaluating. Overall, this book was tremendous in facts if you are looking for past events that depict tragic events within sororities and fraternities, but was a boring read. This novel is also repetitive stating multiple times “hazing is an extraordinary activity that when it occurs often enough becomes ordinary as those who engage in it grow immune to its inhumanity.” A different version of the quote was used at least twice in every chapter, and made for a redundant tone. The book did contain lots of beneficial facts, stating almost every death within a sorority or fraternity starting as early as 1838. Although, it was interesting to hear these stories, it sounded like he was finding any way to spin fraternities and sororities in a negative way. Yes the incidents that occur were tragic, but the main source of info came from the parents who had to deal with the aftermath, giving them a basis opinion. In the end Wrongs of passage gives a good inside look at a part of fraternities and sororities you don't typically hear about.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a helpful read in providing some background and context for the issue of hazing and rituals of binge-drinking in College student organizations. The book provides examinations of particular cases as well as a birds-eye-view of the landscape. The one downside is that the book is about fifteen years old which is, admittedly, not the books fault. An updated edition would be worthwhile at this point, I think. The unfortunate thing is that, from where I sit, not much seems to have changed since the book was published although I am not as involved in this area of higher education as others and may just be unaware of the steps that have been taken. All in all, a good resource for anyone working with Greek or other social student organizations on College campuses.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Nuwer seems to think of himself as a modern Upton Sinclair, and indeed presents the assertion that he had hoped that his literary efforts, like Sinclair's, would effect change in the world. This early egoism (2nd paragraph of the book) predisposed me to dislike him and his writing style.

Good presentation of hazing, for what it is worth.

[Regina Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of hazing and its affects leading to death and one mothers journey to dry up fraternities.