Friday, September 18, 2009

Fraternities and Sororities

I was pondering on the issue of fraternities and sororities and how they seem to have a bad reputation; I would like to know (based on facts and data) the reasons why they have such a bad image? Some say all they do is drink and party, and that you pay for the friends you have. However, from the people that are part of fraternities and sororities I have been exposed to a completely different side of the story. Yes, they admit they like to have a good time, but doesn't everyone else outside of them too? They have stated to me multiple times that they are men of commitment, respect, integrity, and the like, but nonetheless they are still college students. I think these groups get stereotyped horribly, mainly due to the media, but from what I've been witness to, these guys and girls seem to be just like any other student, but having more of a social life. Can anyone tell me, based on cold facts, why they are viewed as "partiers", "drinkers", etc?

6 comments:

maximalideal said...

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/121361/random%20images/grandma_kkg.jpg

Morgan le Fay said...

I can't exactly give you the hard facts you seek, but I can tell you that a friend of mine went to three frat parties in one weekend, all of which involved alcohol. It is my theory that some are worse than others, but I have nothing to back this up.

Unknown said...

So I'm wondering if frat/sorority beer-bust behavior isn't just the result of "group psychology"--you know, the idea that when people are amassed in large groups they really don't make the best decisions. This is true of regular students from Texas and Southern NM colleges who travel to TJ for weekends of mass-binge drinking.
So maybe deviant behavior is more common in large groups than among individuals. I'm not going to deny someone the social exploits and benefits of joining a frat/soror. but there are definitely consequences to consider.

robby said...

Tee hard facts are that stereotypes exist because they have some truth to them. Traditional Fraternities that live in houses and are simply joined together with common interests have, from personal experience, showed me nothing to convince me that they are even fighting these stereotypes. They do party, they do drink, they do haze, they do exploit young women, and yes they do occasionally do a little community service. Bottom line is when someone is choosing a frat or sorority they are choosing the type of behavior they wish to emulate and perpetuate. If one doesn't agree with it then they don't join. So is really not possible to change a frat culture unless you are willing to be hazed into membership and try to change it from the inside out. What we see on the outside is not the worst of it. Obviously these societies are very secretive and that is where the worst things occur. I have on good authority, stories of girls being denied entrance to frat parties unless they perform falatio for the pledges. If you have any moral fiber, don't join a traditional frat.

Merlin said...

I think that they get a bad rep due to their portrayal in the media. Another reason may be jealousy. Spurned rushers spreading rumors to discredit the fraternity or sorority that turned them away. The frats that I have had interactions with all seem to be just fine. They seem to just be regular college kids, just like you and me.

Banshee said...

I certainly agree that some fraternitites/sororities are worse than others, and that a lot of them are not as clean as they should be. I've heard of many that continue to haze despite being kicked off of campus and getting into legal trouble for it. That's a shame. If a fraternity or sorority offers someone a bid to join them, that should mean that they are good enough for the fraternity/sorority; hazing in order to see if they are worthy or how bad they want to join is just plain dumb.
When it comes to stereotypes, the media does influence people's views a lot. However, it shouldn't be generalized for all fraternities and sororities--there are some college kids out there that understand that hazing and doing similar activities, including binge drinking, is not right. A lot of them know how to have fun, but more importantly they get down to business when it's time to do business. Moreover, when it comes to stereotyping, I believe that'll be a difficult thing to get rid of.