We live in a society today where Greek life isn't so popular. In fact, it is frowned upon in some circles. Sometimes I have a difficult time understanding the reasoning behind its negative reputation. I'm not naive as to why it gets a bad rep and I certainty understand why it does at times, but there's more to it.

First, we can start with the obvious: Greek life can be notorious for hazing (the national media will pick up any fraternity or sorority hazing incident). According to a study completed in 2008 by University of Main Associate Professors Elizabeth Allan and Mary Madden, 73 percent of college students in sororities and fraternities participate in some form of hazing, i.e. drinking games, consuming large amounts of alcohol, and being yelled or cursed at.

The study was not limited to just those involved in Greek life. There are more statistics that may be surprising to some.

1. "74 percent of students participating in varsity athletics have experienced at least one hazing behavior."

2. "55 percent of students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing."

3. "47 percent of students come to college having experienced hazing."

4. "More students perceive positive rather than negative outcomes of hazing."

5. "9 out of ten students who have experienced hazing behavior in college do not consider themselves to have been hazed."

The common misconception is that hazing only occurs in Greek life, or that hazing is mostly irrelevant in other student activities. However, this study illustrated that hazing is just as prevalent in sports, clubs and other student organizations as it is in sororities and fraternities.

Hazing, and even death, has occurred in NCAA sports and other collegiate organizations. Nobody is calling for the end of NCAA sports, are they? Of course not, because colleges and universities need sports.

It is understandable that there is such an outrage to hazing; it is a practice that has resulted in serious mental and physical health problems, and once again, even death. There is no wrong in believing that hazing does no good.

According to the study, more students believe hazing brings positive outcomes, and 9 out of ten students who have been hazed don't consider themselves to actually have been hazed by its definition.

Is it possible that college students are "OK" with hazing (under the right circumstances)? Come on people, this is college. Students drink. They drink a lot, and they'll drink regardless if they're in a sorority or fraternity or not. If the most common hazing activity reported (53 percent) in the study is "participate in (a) drinking game," then isn't possible that students may enjoy it? If you ask a large amount of college students, then they would probably wouldn't consider it hazing.

A combination of universities attempting to prevent a public relations nightmare and a national media that rips Greek life every chance they get has contributed to the stigma that labels fraternity and sorority life as "useless" and a "waste of time and money."

Consider that on many campuses, Greek life organizations lead all other student organizations in service to their community. Many fraternities and sororities pride themselves in the amount of community service they complete each year, in addition to the brotherhood and sisterhood that is created.

At many colleges and universities, it is common to find that Greek life members hold the most amount of student leadership positions on campus.

Understandably, Greek life has created a conception that it is all about hazing. But be cautious to judge someone the next time you see their letters. Know that they most likely haven't experienced a hazing incident that has ruined their life. In fact, they would do anything for their fraternity or sorority. I know I would.