As another college year gets going, many students are pondering joining fraternities and sororities. It’s not an easy decision for many and fnding reasons to join may become fewer and far between in the years to come.
When I was in college, I was in a fraternity. In some ways it was a great experience and as the cliché goes, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I still meet up with the alumni every year and it’s great to see that most of them have good jobs, great families, and appear to be generally happy.
Is the Greek System on Life Support?
Are American fraternities and sororities becoming a dying breed? That’s a big question these days as there is so much competition for college student time, especially from the Internet. With its many opportunities to waste enourmous amounts of time like playing on Facebook, is there even time left to rush a Greek organization?
Not to mention the fact that college campus Greek system members are known as secret societies in an age where privacy has become incredibly open since people decided to divulge the minute, private, and personal details of their lives online.
With incidents of hazing, binge drinking and brawling casting a dark shadow on a once positive image, coupled with a strong shift in social attitude and demographics, fraternities and sororities have seen a sharp member decline in recent years. Despite the negative reputation, there are still many positive reasons to join a fraternity or sorority but, as with anything else, for every pro there is a con.
The Benefits of Pledging
Pro: A sense of family.
When students go to college, it’s often their first time away from home. Staying in a fraternity or sorority can remedy feelings of loneliness.
Pro: Built-in cheering squad.
Many organizations have GPA requirements for members and, with a mutual goal of graduating, there is nothing like having a team of supporters when working toward that goal.
Pro: Lifelong friends.
Joining a brotherhood or sisterhood means making friends for life. As those friends head out into the world after graduation, networking can be the key to a successful job in tight economy.
Pro: Diversity.
Finding a new circle of friends isn’t always easy at college. When you find the right group to join, it gives you a built-in gang of friends to hang out with, learn from, admire, detest, and more!
Pro: Community service.
There is almost always some component of community service associated with membership. You’ll be doing philanthropy, often by raising money for charity which is a great activity to be a part of. Sure you could volunteer somewhere even without being a member, but what fun would that be?!
Pro: Having a social life.
Yes, you have parties, be invited to them, and meet members of the opposite sex who are interested… It’s awesome.
Pro: A sense of pride.
Pledges that jump through hoops and get accepted into an organization often do so with a sense of pride. While some pledges are continuing a family tradition, others simply want belonging.
The Cons of Pledging
Con: Pressure to fit-in
Between classes, school work and internships, students have a full plate. Topping that plate off with a hectic social schedule and the constant expectation to constantly behave within the spirit of the organization can overwhelm pledges.
Con: Binge drinking, hazing and social stigma.
With all the negative press in recent years combined with hazing tactics and pressure to party, joining a fraternity just isn’t considered as cool as it once was.
Con: Obligation interrupts schooling.
Both fraternities and sororities are always fundraising, doing community service and holding events. Members are forced to contribute time and effort that might be better spent on school work.
Con: Hierarchy.
There is almost always a pecking order that demands respect to seniority. Forced to adhere to a senior’s bidding during rush there’s nothing fun about some upperclassman throwing his weight around. However, if you join the fraternity that’s right for you, it doesn’t have to be that way.
The New Reality
Technology has made socializing easier in some ways as students can use it to meet new people, date, make new friends, organize their social calendar and so on.
Still, the TV show “Greek” is a phenomenal success as it’s entertaining and relevant. Everyone in the Greek system can appreciate that show on some level. What’s interesting is its timing. As the fewer students join, there is still interest in the show. Perhaps shows like Greek will inspire a new generation of students to join, despite competing media.
What About You?
Is it the end of the road for the Greek system at your school? The above list is certainly not meant to be exhaustive, just a detaling of some of the most important points. It would be great to hear from people with intelligent points to make (not just “I love frats” or “I hate sororities”).
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