Rent a Friend = Join a Frat!Feb 18 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I suppose there are some benefits to joining a fraternity or sorority. Once you join, you'll have a vast network of people to associate with. This network will probably include some people who will become genuine friends. Many fraternities/sororities are specialized as to their members/focus. For example a "business" or "engineering" fraternity would no be uncommon. These specialized organizations have useful resources available to their members (mentors, tudors, and helpful tips for surviving your major). Fraternities, but especially Sororities often have large (sometimes palatial) houses in which officers and other worthy members may be allowed to reside. And let's not forget the parties! If you are an alcoholic, or thinking of becoming one, you may want to consider joining a fraternity or sorority. Did I mention sex? Because many fraternities and sororities socialize with each other, you'll have plenty of opportunity for that in many of these organizations too! Also, if you're looking to marry someone with wealthy parents, joining a fraternity or sorority may be a good idea. Some of these organizations are so expensive that very few of their members will being paying their own way through school. Well that's about all the redeeming qualities I can think of. Now for some of the negative aspects of fraternities and sororities: 1. THE MONEY!!! Some of these organizations charge you thousands of dollars per year for the "privilege" of being a member. If you are that hurting for friends, why don't you do something that will PAY YOU while you meet people and make friends. IT'S CALLED A JOB! 2. JOINING. The process by witch you actually become a member of one of these organizations is called "rush". For a period of time each fall (sometimes spring too) each fraternity and sorority open their doors to new prospective members. As a candidate you meet and greet the officers and members of a number of organizations even though you may only be interested in joining one. The reason you "rush" multiple fraternities/sororities is to increase the chances of entry in to one of them. The worst possible outcome for a "pledge" (term used to denote applicants) is for no organization to choose them to join their organization (this could spawn suicidal tendencies). Yes, that's right. Just because you're willing to pay these organizations hundreds/thousands of dollars, doesn't mean you can automatically join. Too often these rush periods become nothing more than a giant popularity/beauty contest to choose new applicants. 3. THE "FRIENDS". An obvious conflict of interest exists involving any "alleged" friendship between existing members and a new applicant/member. Are they genuinely your friend, or are they just being friendly so you'll pony up the bucks to their organization (this year, and the year after, and...). Sure actual friends can and are made in sororities and fraternities, however in my opinion they take advantage of the incoming freshman's sudden lack of social structure for their own financial gain. Ask yourself, how many new college students who live at home (with their parents and family) will join an greek organization? A very small percentage I'd guess. 4. HAZING. Banned (yet still practiced) in most states, this is a form of initiation performed on new applicants/members by the existing members which must be successfully completed in order to gain entrance/acceptance by the organization. Usually practiced only by fraternities (not all of course), hazing can involve embarrassment, torture, poison, obscene acts, and illegal behavior. Imagine being duct taped between two bed mattresses and thrown off a 5 story building, or being forced to drink enough alcohol to stop you breathing (both of these actually happened and the victims died). Now imagine paying for this privilege!? Yes, the greek system is old and full of historical tradition, but the tradition of organizations which exclude people based on race and sex is one that should end. No, not all fraternities exclude women and not all sororities are "black sororities" it's just unfortunate segregation and intolerance still pervade our college campuses. One also must be careful of using a wide brush here. Not all sororities and fraternities have practices as morally lacking and degrading as others. In fact many academic fraternities are outstanding (in practice and tradition). Phi Beta Kappa for example, has linked academically excellent students together since 1776 and has no "rush" process or exorbitant membership dues. It's just unfortunate that the Greek system has been tainted by the actions of a few.  |
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