Why do so many young people literally die to belong to fraternities, sororities, and other college social organizations? The answer is complicated, but here is a starting point:Ever since the medieval universities were founded, young people have done whatever it takes to gain acceptance, to break with their past lives, to achieve a sense of power, to carve out a society of their own that isn't quite what their tutors and teachers had in mind. In the United States, hazing and drinking have been endemic since colonial days.

Summary

This quote highlights the phenomenon of young individuals going to extremes, including risking their lives, in order to be part of fraternities, sororities, and other college social organizations. It suggests that this behavior is rooted in the long-standing tradition of young people striving for acceptance and searching for their own identity. It explains that since the establishment of medieval universities, students have been willing to do anything to attain a sense of power and distance themselves from their previous lives. Additionally, the quote mentions that hazing and excessive drinking have been prevalent practices in college social groups in the United States since the colonial era.

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