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In this article, Kenlee talks about the cruel activities and culture in fraternities and sororities. Ultimately weighing if it is worth it to achieve the full college experience.
The truth behind the "Greek Life"
The truth behind the "Greek Life"
By: Kenlee Rapport
By: Kenlee Rapport
Fraternities and sororities, otherwise known as “Greek Life,” serve as organizations where women or men come together as a social club living in the same house, sharing in the same values, aspirations, and goals. After members leave these sororities, they are supposed to be bound to that sisterhood or brotherhood for the rest of their lives. Some students tend to be influenced to follow in the footsteps of their family members, joining the same organizations their parents attended in college. However, many students may not be aware that there are multiple cons to joining a social club in college.
The main danger that has been associated with college social clubs is the activity referred to as “hazing”, otherwise known as “Hell Week.” Hazing occurs when leaders of the fraternities or sororities put their pledges through torturous activities. Soon-to-be members are sometimes publicly humiliated and forced to do crazy tasks to impress the leaders of the social club they are trying to belong to (to show their loyalty). The most common forms of hazing that have occurred are students being forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, public indecency, sleep deprivation, and being asked to do impossible tasks. In one case, multiple fraternity members were forced to drink their own fecal matter, a disgusting and risky activity. A local Grants Pass citizen who was once in a fraternity reports, “We had to run around in our underwear in the middle of winter, and sometimes eat foods like rotten milk and raw eggs.” It is questionable that people would do such tasks as running around naked to impress a group of men and/or women to join a social club. These behaviors do not add up to what most sororities and fraternities stand for. Many claim to represent community service and maintaining good grades in school. However, some are obliging their members to engage in negative or self-harmful behaviors for the entertainment of others. Due to the injuries and casualties that have resulted from hazing, Stop Hazing shares that 44 states have formed laws around the dangers of hazing, making it an illegal activity. Even though these state governments have worked hard to eliminate this activity in colleges, it is still a common practice, and a lot of these clubs get away with it.
Picture By: Britannica
Another social aspect of fraternities and sororities is the party culture and alcoholism that is deeply rooted in some of these social clubs. These clubs are influenced by the Greek Life. Historically, Greek civilizations enjoyed partying, eating food, drinking alcohol, and getting together. Just like Greek culture, partying is the way of socializing in many fraternities and sororities. At some of these parties, there is an abundance of alcohol, the use of drugs, sex, and people doing crazy acts to get attention. Members have been influenced to drink so much that they pass out or get sick from overconsumption. A useful Harvard University study listed on the Addiction Center website states, "4 out of 5 fraternity and sorority members are binge drinkers. In comparison, other research suggests 2 out of 5 college students overall are regular binge drinkers." These parties are not healthy ways to get together and have fun, but rather excuses to participate in misconduct. And when people are intoxicated, especially women, they are vulnerable to men, which is why date-rape is a common and unfortunate crime that happens. Not only does society's standard of overconsumption of alcohol affect the members in the present, but it also affects their future. A local Grants Pass citizen admits that “I have many friends who became alcoholics later on in life due to fraternity party culture.”
Picture By: Sorority Life
Lastly, the main negative to joining a fraternity or sorority is the exclusivity that happens within them. All of these social clubs cost money annually for the members. The average cost to join a frat or sorority is copious amounts-- in addition to paying college tuition. The University of Arizona estimates the average cost per year is $5,973, including housing. Without housing, the cost is $1,853. While some Greek college organizations may offer scholarships, the people who do not earn a scholarship or cannot afford to join are excluded. Another way frats and sororities charge their members is through fining. If members miss an important meeting, there are fines, along with multiple other ways of charging. For those who are not already born into wealthy families or cannot simply put away thousands of dollars to join a club, it is unlikely that they will be able to join.
Some may argue that fraternities and sororities are not all bad, though. The benefits include: building friendships, academic guidance, and being involved with the community. The National Society of High School Scholars states, “Though you make friends in college through other avenues, the closeness you can experience in Greek life sometimes fosters closer connections than you might make otherwise.” It is true that genuine bonds can be found within these social clubs-- and the feeling of belonging to something is what a lot of people crave when it comes to attending a school. Fraternities and sororities also do community service yearly, devoting hours to philanthropy, making the community a better place. Lastly, fraternities and sororities encourage their members to value academics over everything else. In these social clubs, students may be able to find the help they need or connect with someone through the same major. Also, to be in a fraternity or sorority, members are required to have good grades, or else they will be asked to leave.
By looking at the cons and pros of joining a social club in college, it is fundamental to be aware of the dangers that come along with these organizations. While there may be pros to being involved in the Greek community, in the end, there are a lot of negative consequences that are not talked about enough. When a student is interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority, they should be decisive, knowing that hazing, party culture, and social hierarchy can influence their present and future.
Sources :
Sources :
Grants Pass Citizen
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