A Comparative Study between Members and Non-Members of Fraternity and Sorority
It is a natural human instinct to have the feeling of belonging to a group
where he is comfortable with. It could be a formal group with a set of goals or just
a group of friends where you get along well. Whatever it is, having an affiliation
develops relationship with other people and interpersonal skills.
Affiliations vary in form depending on the objectives of the group. There
are some doing environmental work, some engaging in socio-civic activities,
while some just gathered because of same interests and talents. But, one of the
most known affiliations is the fraternity and sorority.
Fraternity and sorority usually connote a secret society with a form of
initiation through admission, formal codes of behavior and disciplinary
procedures. But simply, a fraternity is a brotherhood like any other organization.
The only distinction between a fraternity and any other form of social group is the
implication that the members associate themselves as equals for a mutual
beneficial purpose rather than because of religious or familial bond. Fraternities
and sororities have been organized for many purposes such as university
education, ethics, work skills, ethnicity, politics, chivalry and service. No matter
how diverse the beliefs and goals of different fraternities and sororities, the
commonality among them is the explicit mutual support for every member.
However, despite the traditions that fraternities and sororities were
founded on public service and camaraderie, these organizations are well-known
for partying, excessive drinking, drug use, sexual aggression, and hazing.
Although these perceptions and accusations are not justified according to frat
members, studies reveal otherwise.
In the United States, a 2002 report “A Call to Action: Changing the Culture
at U.S. Colleges” by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse reveals that
fraternities and sororities’ members drink more often in greater quantities than
other college students.
The Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS) found
out that 75 percent of fraternity members engaged in heavy drinking in compared
to 49 percent of non-fraternity members. While 62 percent of sorority members
drink more often than non-member female students.
CAS also found out that excessive drinking takes toll on the academic
performance and social engagement of fraternity and sorority members. 50
percent of students living in a fraternity or sorority house perform poorly on a test
in compared to 25 percent of all students. 59 percent of fraternity and sorority
members had an argument or fight in compared to 35 percent of general college
population. While 70 percent missed a class as opposed to 33 percent of all
students. Alcohol-related consequences include vandalism, injuries, and verbal
assaults.
Moreover, drug abuse is also connected with fraternities and sororities.
According to a 2004 article entitled “Non-Medical Use of Prescription Stimulants
among US College Students: Prevalence and Correlates from a National
Survey”, it found out that fraternity and sorority members are more likely to abuse
prescription stimulants and marijuana than other college students do. Alcohol
abuse, drug use and dangerous behaviors are more likely to develop inside the
brotherhood because the fraternities and sororities itself fosters this kind of
culture. Also, socialization and self-selection attributes in having these sinister
activities in connection with their affiliations.
Fraternities and sororities are deeply rooted with the ideologies and
philosophies that would create a better world. Public service, chivalry and
camaraderie are the basic foundation of any brotherhood. However, due to
changing generations and bad influences of today, it became a den of malign
activities and dangerous behaviors that will eventually destroy the society they
once want to change for the better.
What’s necessary for the founders of fraternities and sororities is to relive
their objectives and goals rather than being distracted by superficial things
created by peer pressure. Inter-fraternal activities that would initiate programs in
preventing drug and alcohol abuse would deem necessary in the degrading
perception of fraternities and sororities. Also, greater efforts in positive
contributions to the community such as sponsoring social events and volunteer
works would uplift the morale and image of brotherhoods that is more known for
notorious substance abuse and hazing initiations. Re-emphasizing the goals and
objectives of having a better community would restructure what is being a
member of a fraternity and sorority.
References:
Larimer, Mary, Predicting Drinking Behavior and Alcohol-Related Problems Among Fraternity and Sorority Members: Examining the Role of Descriptive and Injunctive Norms, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Caron, Sandra et. al., Article: Alcohol use among fraternity and sorority members: looking at change over time, March 2004, http://www.highbeam.comDrapeau, Robert, Attitudes of undergraduate fraternity and non-fraternity males regarding acquaintance rape and sexual aggression, http://escholarship.bc.edu
Mathiasen, Robert, Moral Development in Fraternity Members: A Case Study, http://www.questia.com
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