Fraternities and Sororities

Fraternity and Sorority FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES Fraternities generally refer to any social organization that works for some specific causes. However Fraternities and sororities together refer to college or university-based organizations that provide its members with a sense of belonging and a common purpose. Fraternities were created in college to create a band of brothers. Its main purpose was to unite college students and create a more harmonious environment on the campus. Today, fraternities are usually mixed-gender but they were originally meant for men alone.

The female version of these social organizations was called a sorority which came much later but is as effective as any college fraternity. Some fraternities are as old as the country itself like Phi Beta Kappan which was formed in 1776. Fraternities and sororities are usually referred to as Greek societies and joining them is casually termed as going Greek. There are many studies currently underway to assess the effect and benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority.

While there are positive effects cited, some even complain that fraternities and sororities only attack heavy drinkers and alcohol consumption in such societies is unusually high. Fraternities were previously seen as secret societies but on campus fraternities are usually involved in some common goals and causes which others are aware of though participation is strictly limited to members only. Similarly sororities are also actively engaged in goals of their own. On most campuses across the country, fraternity and sorority members stay in large houses meant for this purpose.

Their stay together strengthens their bond and helps them conduct meetings regularly. Social benefits of sororities and fraternities There are many social and academic advantages of joining a fraternity or sorority. In such organizations, the individual himself is less important individually and more important as part of a team. Membership fosters a deeper connection with each other resulting in collapse of individual boundaries. A team spirit emerges and students learn to exist as a unit instead of distinct individuals.

This helps them later in their lives as well when they join other organizations where teamwork is the norm. Hazing practices in such organizations do not exist in brutal form today as they once did. But some hazing exercises are still common which are meant to discipline the members and strengthen their pledge to the society. In other words, members of sororities and fraternities have to pledge their allegiance to the organization and for this reason, they may be subjected to some harsh rules.

While they appear unnecessary at first, these rules create more disciplined students who are geared to achieve something as a unit. Leadership skills are also honed and tested in fraternities and sororities. This is an ideal place to recognize and polish your leadership potential. There are many positions of leadership available in a fraternity or sorority such as rush chair, treasurer, president etc. In each such role, students have authority to assume certain responsibilities and exercise power to limited extent.

Each position also requires different set of skills and intellectual investment which helps student gain significant leadership experience. It is note-worthy that out of all the leadership positions in the country, a large majority is filled by fraternity and sorority members. It has been estimated that "76% of all Congressman and Senators of the United States, 100 of the 158 Cabinet members (since 1900), all but two of the United States presidents (since fraternities began in 1825), and 43 out of the 50 largest corporations.