Should Fraternities Be Abolished? By Ana
Joining a fraternity can be a fun yet stressful process. First you go to the admissions office to see what frat house would interest you, gathering information. Afterwards you go to two "rushes" (where possible members can get a real feel for the fraternity) that a fraternity hosts, hoping to receive a bid (invite to attend the exclusive third rush for a possible spot). When a student receives a bid, they are able to "accept, deny or defer the bid to join that fraternity"(Duke). The fraternity then meets together and discusses which students to extend initiations to officially join. This process is a stressful one, but the problem most often lies in the initiation.
Once you get an official invite to join you enter the "new member education" or "pledging." phase. Many sources often say that many think of this phase as "Hazing" which is illegal. Hazing often degrades, humiliates, or makes people engage in dangerous tasks and behaviors (Britannica). Despite being illegal, hazing happens more often than not during pledging. Some stories include students being sleep deprived, degrading sexual acts, and being forced into extensive periods of physical activity. Even though hazing can occur in other setting the majority of victims are male fraternity members.
The power imbalance between older and younger members is highlighted here, sending messages to younger students that when they get older than they too can continue this cycle of abuse for the next batch of newcomers. This toxic environment does not allow the students to grow at all. Hazing in these rituals have resulted in at least two deaths each year since 1959, which doesn't sound like a lot, but these deaths could easily be avoided (Britannica). Alcohol is in some way involved in the majority of hazing-related tragedies.
When interviewed, many students were romanticizing the idea of hazing within these fraternities. A few even going as far to disagree with the limitation of hazing and promoting it in other settings. Overall, simply getting in to these fraternities and sororities is a dangerous and hazardous process. Despite the sense of community and satisfaction some may feel from fraternities, it is not worth it for the risk of abuse involved to have them.
Works Cited:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/learning/should-fraternities-be-abolished.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Flearning-student-opinion
https://admissionsight.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-pledging-for-a-frat/
https://thewoostervoice.spaces.wooster.edu/2012/10/05/greek-life-101-rushes-bids-and-pledging/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/hazing
