Why Men Join Fraternities: Social, Academic, and Status Appeal

Introduction: The Lure of Fraternity Life

The lure of the fraternity is one that remains a prominent aspect in the lives of many college students within the United States and internationally. Each semester, young men flock to fraternities on their respective campuses, enduring long initiation processes and, in some instances, hazing — and throughout it all, the question remains: what exactly is the draw? To understand the appeal of fraternity life within the college environment, one must first understand the basic elements that such an existence can offer both socially and academically. With that foundation in place, along with an appreciation for the sense of brotherhood fostered within these communities, one can better understand the appeal of an inclusion that keeps young men coming back on a yearly basis.

Social Belonging and Brotherhood

Upon arriving at college during freshman year, the concern that occupies most students' minds is the ability to "fit in" in a new environment. Away from the comforts of home and often in a completely unfamiliar location, students are eager to find an atmosphere that replicates some of those comforts. A fraternity — especially for young men who do not know many people within their new collegiate environment — provides the basic foundation for a significantly strong social network: a network of brothers who will look out for one another throughout their college careers and often far beyond.

Fraternity involvement places an individual immediately into a situation grounded in brotherhood and camaraderie. For outgoing individuals, this environment provides the social atmosphere needed to flourish in a new setting. For shier individuals, such a strong sense of community allows one's true personality to bloom and mature. The fundamental human need for belonging is directly addressed by the fraternity structure, making it an immediately attractive option for students navigating the social challenges of college life.

Leadership, Resumes, and Academic Appeal

In addition to the desire for acceptance, many young men choose to join fraternities in hopes of strengthening their resumes with experience that may appear appealing to graduate schools or potential employers. A quick search reveals impressive statistics about fraternity men. Fraternities have the ability to forge strong leadership skills — skills that many companies and graduate institutions find highly appealing, particularly when sorting through scores of resumes from individuals with little real-world leadership experience.

Patrick Dailey, author of The Fraternity Leader: The Complete Guide to Improving Your Chapter, notes that his own first job stemmed significantly from his experience as a leader within his college fraternity. Upon applying for an internship with IBM, Dailey — who had limited work experience and modest grades — was able to sell himself solely on the leadership ability he had developed as president of his college fraternity. In demonstrating those skills, all of which were gained through his fraternity involvement, Dailey was able not only to land the internship but to receive a job offer upon its completion.

Such stories are far from rare among fraternity members. Membership allows these individuals to present themselves as part of an elite portion of the collegiate community. In being accepted into a fraternity, a young man has proven himself worthy of inclusion in chapters that often date back to the very founding of the university itself. The history and prestige of Greek-letter organizations lend their members a credential that extends well beyond the campus.

Conclusion

While the reasons that young men seek out acceptance in fraternities are vast and varied, the motivations discussed above are those most widely cited by college students and fraternity brothers within the United States. While each young man who chooses to enter this world does so for his own personal reasons, the notion that his decision is guided in part by some combination of the factors touched upon here is far from far-fetched. Despite the varied reasoning, young college men continue to enter fraternities — as they have for generations — seeking the acceptance and sense of accomplishment that such organizations have always sought to provide.

References

Dailey, P. (2011). The fraternity leader: The complete guide to improving your chapter. New York, NY: CreateSpace.

Kohlman, M., & Murnen, S. (2007). Athletic participation, fraternity membership and sexual aggression among college men: A meta-analytic review. Sex Roles, 57(1–2), 145–158.