Critique of the Greeks
Every year, thousands of new college freshmen join on-campus groups, in search of their “home away from home.” Some students chose jobs, while others join Newman groups and sports clubs. A popular choice for an on-campus “home” is the Greek community. College sororities and fraternities are often the subjects of hot debates: what can students gain by going Greek? Do they really do more, than just hold socials? Asel, Seifert and Pascerella wrote an article to answer these questions. While Asel, Seifert, and Pascarella wrote a high-quality article about Greek Life that provides an ample amount of evidence to support their opinions and a logical flow of ideas, the article falls short by having a bias favoring these
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The article opened with a brief description of the stigmas surrounding Greek life, including the exclusion of those not in Greek life, the excessive se of alcohol, and the practice of hazing, (Asel, Seifert, Pascarella 1). The authors also discuss many of the aspects of Greek Life that people are attracted to: community service, a brother/sisterhood, and opportunities to grow as a leader. After describing these conflicting views, the authors moved into the study they conducted about Greek membership. The authors begin by describing the school where the study was completed, then moved into the students they studied. Next, the variables of the study were addressed, and finally the method of completion. The conclusion, findings, and implications of the findings were put at the end of the article. By organizing the information in a logical manner, the authors made it easy to understand the conflicting opinions that surround fraternity and sorority life, what the data from the study says about these myths, and lastly, the implications the data had on these myths. Authors Asel, Seifert, and Pascarella did an excellent job in providing a host of credible sources for their ideas and organizing them in a reasonable manner. However, they did fall short in a few …show more content…
Because the article was written in response to a study about Greek life, one would think that the article would have next to no bias. This was not the case. The authors hinted their favor for Greek life by describing how “fraternity/sorority members may be natural partners for serving in leadership roles,” (Asel, Seifert, Pascarella 6). In addition, it was also mentioned that following college, those involved in Greek life had stronger personal/interpersonal skills, skills that are exceptionally useful in today’s work place (Asel, Seifert, Pascarella 7). While the authors never directly come out and offer their supports for fraternities and sororities, they show their bias towards these organizations with their word choices. Words like “natural-born leaders” and “leadership roles,” and highlighting the strong social skills gained from Greek life is what makes the reader feel like a bias is present in the
While going through the process of determining what college to go to many students focus on what majors are provided, location, an overall sense of the school, and several other things. One thing that is often overlooked is the option of going Greek. Many male students often do not even consider the option of going Greek because of false pretenses. One common misconception of going Greek is because the members are stereotyped to be party goers who do not do well in college. This could not be further from the truth. For members of the Kappa Alpha Order, there are several ambitious standards that must be maintained to stay in the Order. Also, joining Kappa Alpha opens members, both current and former, to several opportunities. Finally, Kappa Alpha is an Order that holds several beliefs that most southerners have faith in.
Viral videos of fraternity and sorority members partying and getting drunk off of beer might be the first images of Greek Life that pop into your mind, but that’s only a stereotype. There are nine historically black Greek letter organizations across the country that present an entirely different image of Greek life. Focusing on their multiple involvement on campus, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) members are proactive in the community and on USCA’s campus.
By participating in Greek life, the students’ social circles are expanded. Because sororities and fraternities are specific to gender, religions, races, and even majors, those who participate in Greek life create lifelong relationships with people they choose to associate with by
By using a collection of interviews and recollections, the audience receives both sides about the truth of fraternities while lacking any sort of bias. Throughout the article you made it clear that a solution to ether side was impossible; therefore the focal purpose is to teach students, parents, professors, or community residents about fraternities. The absence of a possible resolution leaves a window for any reader’s interpretation.
HBCU Greek organizations are one of the most prospective and student sanctioned organizations. They have the representation to either be a great organization where the concept of charity and family is govern. Or they can be the source of reckless activities and worse of it all hazing. Throughout the articles, I gathered that these organizations can either be a source of inspiration or the student’s downfall.
Between family legacies, traditions, and an abundance of college themed movies, books, and television shows, it would be difficult to find a prospective college student who is not familiar with the idea of “Greek life.” For the purpose of this essay, “Greek life” refers to the system employed by many colleges and universities to establish and maintain fraternities and sororities (primarily dominated by caucasian and economically advantages students). It is important to note the existence of fraternities and organizations outside of this stereotypical “Greek” realm, such as coeducational honor and service based fraternities, though even these are not fully exempt from detrimental practices. Fraternities and sororities are often looked down upon with a negative light for a number of reasons, some of which include dangerous hazing habits and unsavory social scenes. While there certainly are undeniable benefits and negatives within these systems, the biggest effect they have is on gender. “Greek life” in college is unhealthy due to its impact on post-college gender expectations by promoting party culture, encouraging misogyny through ingrained tradition, and indoctrinating women into subservience at an impressionable age.
The first Greek organization to assemble was in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. Fraternities were built to provide friendship and recreation. It has been 239 years since the first fraternity was established and now in 2015, there are 123 fraternities and sororities. There are nine million college students involved in Greek organizations (Glass, Nicole). These members are looking to make friends, to build their resumes, to go to social events, or to learn leadership skills. Each member when joining has the incentive to change some aspect of his or her life (Glass, Nicole). If one has the opportunity to join a Greek life organization he or she should for the reasons of giving back to the community, the higher academic standards, the
When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.
One of the biggest stereotypes about being in a fraternity or sorority is that you party and drink a lot. Drinking alcohol is not a focal point of Greek life, although alcohol is at almost every social occasion in Greek life. In Blake’s article it is said that no matter what Greek organization you are a part of underage
Also, it shows that more than 85 percent of the Supreme Court justices have been the members of the Greek organizations since 1910. In fact, 43 out of the 50 largest corporations in the United States are led by former fraternity and sorority members. So, the statistics prove that Greek life is very important for the future life and career prospects are better for the Greek organizations` members (Lundeen 193-219). In reality, fraternity and sorority life is not only about stereotypical pre- and post-game parties, the abuse of alcohol drinks and fun.
Over several decades, Greek life has been an integral part of colleges and universities throughout the United States. There is a high demand of “fitting in” in today’s society and a question that students, parents, and teachers alike often ask themselves is, “Does Greek life provide a more safe or harmful environment?” With strong evidence, it is absolutely absurd to believe that fraternities and sororities do more good than they do harm. Various statistics provide factual evidence as to why Greek life is a toxic and dangerous environment for many young adults. Between the rape culture, hazing, and delinquency linked to the students associated with Greek life, it is time that it comes to an end for good so that students may have a more safe and enjoyable college experience. Fraternities and Sororities should be banned off of college and university campuses due to the danger and drama associated with them.
Greek life, a community of organizations that are known for controlling the social scene on many campuses across America. It is an institution within the institution of education, one that has been a part of university life since 1776. They are known for their as-seen-on-tv parties, the stereotyped members, and the exclusivity that is offered by the social organizations. Freshmen go through the rigorous recruitment process, one that leaves many feeling defeated in and rundown, in order to be able to join the organization of their choice. However, is this exclusivity harming the ability to develop proper social skills and grow healthy relationships of those freshmen who decide to not go through the recruitment process or those who cannot afford
Have you ever seen the television series Greek? It suggests drugs, alcohol and sex are the three most important elements that make up a typical sorority girl or frat boy’s life. Students involved in Greek life are always throwing wild parties and drinking until they pass out, getting involved in relationship drama, sending their pledges on crazy tasks in the middle of the night, and never seeming to take any responsibility. However, there is one thing missing from this hit reality series: the truth.
On November 24th, 2015 I visited my friend Jennifer at her home, as she had informed me that she would be babysitting her two year-old niece, Sophia that day. Prior to this encounter, I had only met Sophia twice. First, Jennifer and I were in the living room discussing various issues. Around nine o’clock in the morning we heard a knock on the door. It was Sophia’s father, Jose, who was dropping Sophia off on his way to work. He greeted us, however, Sophia was not a happy toddler. Yet, my first observation of Sophia was taking note of her crying and keeping her eyes on her father. I wondered were these actions by Sophia a mechanism to make sure that her father doesn’t leave her with Jennifer and I.
While deciding where one is going to attend college, one may decide to look into extracurricular activities to get involved on campus. Sometimes one may ask an adult they look up to about what they think one should get involved in, many would agree that one should go Greek. After listing to other adults, one may decide to go through the recruitment experience and find their home in Greek life. Since joining a Greek organization one can see how people see it as a way to gain many leadership skills along with a great way to network. However one understands that everything one is involved in has something negative, like Greek life have so many opportunities to party which is the only thing that many people see when they think of Greek life. While exploring how Greek life is a good thing and that the bad that comes with it is nothing compared to the good. For many people including myself Greek life is a place where someone can be oneself and learn many things about who one is along with the sisters around you that push you to be the best person you