This is just opinion thread, but am I the only person who really dislikes fraternities and sororities and sees no purpose in them? Literally, I try to avoid schools with a greek life scene because I feel like they just house douchey rich kids who think they are too hot or too cool for anyone else in the school. Does anyone else see frats and sororities as houses for preppy rich kids with alcoholism issues who think they can get away with rape? That’s all I see it as. How are they helpful to colleges?
See, I feel like frats and sororites just allow people who have separated themselves from others because they think they are better to continue separating themselves and become less accepting, mature, or knowledgable
I am personally not a fan of social fraternities/sororities, but I certainly wouldn’t go so far as to create a hasty generalization regarding all of the members of Greek life. Many of them may be preppy but certainly they don’t all “think they can get away with rape.” And some of them are perfectly decent and intelligent human beings.
There are other types of fraternities, however, such as honors or service fraternities. I’m part of an honors fraternity and I absolutely love it. The focus is more towards promoting scholarship, leadership, and service throughout the community, along with having fun with each other. Not being a super social person, it has been a great way for me to meet and befriend some really awesome people. So certainly do not rule out non-social fraternities!
Yes it’s true. The only reason I joined greek life was to be able to rape people, preferably only those of my own socioeconomic class (imagine how icky it would be to commit a felony against a poor person). I’ve also vowed to never hang out with non Greek people since I’m so superior to them. The only reason why I’m dating an independent and am close with people outside of the system is so I can show them everyday how inferior those peasants are to me.
In reality, I joined Greek life because I transferred to a large university where I didn’t know anyone and wanted to form strong social bonds. Partying was a secondary concern, and frankly I partied much more as an independent freshman than as a Greek sophomore and junior. During my time in my sorority I’ve organized fundraisers for various STEM education programs, helped sell out a charity ball, and done a number of other things which positively impact campus life for Greeks and non-Greeks alike.
Are there some bad apples in the system? Without question. Heck, I go to a school that was just on international news because of these bad apples. However, I don’t think it’s fair to condemn the lot of us as alcoholic, elitist, rapists without first getting to know the motivation behind why people join and what they do once inside their chapter.
Like any organization, there’s good and bad aspects. There’s plenty of non-Greeks who are entitled or drink a lot. My sister was in a sorority, and she’s a very bright, respectful lady who’s now working for a Big Four firm. Some of her sisters were like her, some not-so-much. Nothing wrong with avoiding the system if it’s not your thing, but it’s not fair to label most Greeks as alcoholics or rapists.
These social clubs are geared towards awkward people who are unable to socialize under normal circumstances and need a contrived “brotherhood” to rally around in order to feel comfortable with one another, amongst other reasons. They offer absolutely nothing of value to the campus life and only serve to create a caste system. You’ll find in life that many people are simply unable to function without some sort of caste, because they don’t know how to find a sense of “belonging” anywhere beyond their ridiculous society. At the head of these groups are individuals that game the United States’ tax exempt status for charities–they perform small fundraisers here and there in order to prevent taxation on their dues and property taxes on their clubhouses. In these social clubs, you will find people of such unoriginal stock that you’ll want to vomit (not due to any inebriant, unlike them) due to the ridiculous stereotypes that these “brothers” and “sisters” in debauchery often fulfill.
Woah, @Halicarnassus that’s an awful lot of hate for the Greek system. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good joke about a dumb blonde in a sorority, and I’m not in one myself, but that… was just uncalled for.
Do some people use the Greek system as a way to get into parties and get drunk every weekend? Absolutely. But do just as many, if not more, actually value the community and see the parties as just a leisurely activity on the side? Also yes.
I do agree that often, people see the Greek system as separating them from everyone else, putting them on a pedestal from the “others,” but everyone likes to think that, no matter what club they happen to be a part of. I think that everyone should just be happy with their own success no matter what group they’re a part of, and stop hating on what groups make others happy. Are members of the Greek system coming to your door to rub in how much fun they’re having being in a frat/sorority? No? Then perhaps you shouldn’t waste your time worrying about them.
@SusieAnne: It is very convenient to have these groups because they attract a “particular” kind of person, the sort of person that I detailed at length in my previous post. The colonies they live in can be thus described as ghettos that I, and many others, can easily avoid. I don’t have to associate with them, you’re very right–and I do not have anything at all to do with them. Regardless, they still serve as a divisive force on campus that does not cultivate positive interpersonal relationships, useful or interesting skills, or anything else of real value. Saying that “everyone” in skill/interest-based clubs thinks the same as those in social clubs is rather ignorant, as well–those that congregate in interest/skill-based clubs are there to be around like-minded individuals with, first and foremost, an objective. That objective is to foster relationships with other people with the activity as a bonding experience and boost one’s ability in this activity. Excelling at humiliating oneself, one’s family, and one’s school through pitiful depravities is not a useful skill or interest and only serves to harm the characters of honest people who get swept up in the whirlwind of “rushing” because they feel they must.
The very same can be said about drinking or any other drugs–most users initiate this behavior because they feel they must, in order to fit in. Do not be an enabler.
@Halicarnassus I… actually cannot stop laughing. This is gold. First of all, this isn’t an academic paper, you can chill with the SAT words. They don’t make your foolish opinions sound any more intelligent.
Now, let’s return to the topic at hand: Did you rush? Did you not get any bids, creating this (very obvious) bitterness you have against the Greek system? Somebody, @TransferGopher @whenhen help me out here. Surely this isn’t serious. You’re on this crusade against the Greek system as though you think anyone would take your rambling seriously. The Greek system has pros and cons just like everything else, but if you just want to be angry at it, be my guest. I’d say sarcastically that I bet you’re fun at parties, but since you also are vehemently against drinking, I guess you don’t go to any.
You don’t have to rush to not like the Greek system, that’s silly. And I’m very confused as to what you think are “SAT words” that belong in an “academic paper.” Cultivate? Excel?
@Halicarnassus is so far off here I don’t even know where to start. Nothing I will say can change your mind. For some reason you feel the need to generalize and stereotype a whole group of people.
@SusieAnne: Your responses tell me that you’re a rather immature child–or at least behaving like one.
You’ve produced absolutely nothing of substance except mad cow-eyed attempts to discredit what I am saying through attacks on my character and reputation. Some elements of your responses, like the last sentence in post #10, are outright embarrassing to you and your cause, and even support what I am saying in re: social clubs etc. While I am sure you won’t read this, I will link a Newsweek article detailing the results of removing fraternities from the campuses of several prominent northeastern LACs: http://www.newsweek.com/inside-colleges-killed-frats-good-231346
You’re right, I don’t attend parties. I do not drink. I don’t participate in any sort of obnoxious or reputation-damaging behavior, because I am aware that (especially in the digital age) that it will come back to bite the ass of anybody foolish enough to get caught. Instead of doing this things, I work. I exercise. I have a few productive hobbies. I maintain stellar grades. I maintain a level of involvement in my faith. I keep meaningful and healthy relationships with my friends, my significant other, and my parents. I am on a track to pretty grand success. I am comfortable with my body and have a healthy level of self-esteem. I recognize my faults and the areas that I lack knowledge and try my darnedest to correct them. I try to travel and broaden my horizons when I can, so long as it is healthy and conducive to the other areas of my life. I have a direction and a plan. What do you have, SusieAnne? Unhelpful vitriol? A negative attitude towards people who don’t like societies that are entrenched with sexism, racism, alcoholism, and violence? Don’t kid me. Surely, you can see that these groups are anachronistic. Once, they used to serve a purpose and genuinely provided a sense of camaraderie amongst the brothers and sisters in these groups, but now they only serve to divide and conquer the social life on the campuses on which they inhabit.
@TransferGopher: Ah, back-up has arrived. Attack me all you’d like. Pull out the “stereotype and generalize” card, as if that’ll add credence to your argument. So long as I persuade one would-be pledge to second-guess their decision, I’ll be happy.
@Halicarnassus I’m sorry that you feel that way, and maybe in your college this was the case but it certainly is not the case at my college.
The Greek life here, although they do throw parties and stuff they are also very involved on campus. Especially the cultural organizations. On my campus the philanthropies are very well known and the sororities use these to create events. In particular I remember events about world wide literacy and how prelevant the problem of illiteracy in minorities is. Another focused on how we can recognize domestic abuse situations and what we can do to help.
Greek life is very good for networking and often times the organizations expose students to opportunities that they otherwise would not have.
Also, I have to argue with you and say that just because someone does drink doesn’t mean that they’re putting their success at stake. Part of growing up is learning how to be responsible and that includes learning how to partake in safe activities including learning your limits when it comes to alcohol, which, by the way, is something completely acceptable.
I love when posts like this come up, it’s always the same old fraternity/sorority circlejerk. I feel so bad for the people that feel they need to justify their decision not to rush by over generalizing and making broad, rude statements about others they know nothing about. So sad.