Fraternities are male-only associations with common interests, often found in colleges. Rush week allows potential members to explore options, with new members voted in and initiated. Membership can offer advantages such as networking and brotherhood, and fraternities often engage in public service.
A fraternity is a male-only association with members who are bound by common interests in one way or another. The most famous form in North America is probably the college fraternity, although social organizations and a variety of other fraternal organizations can also be found throughout the world. College fraternities date back to 1776 when Phi Beta Kappa was founded in the United States.
Many college fraternities are established with academic criteria for membership. People who want to participate typically participate in activities that take place over the course of a week at the beginning of a semester. Since most colleges with a system have multiple fraternities, these events often take place during the same week for all groups, allowing people to explore all of their options. This period is known as “rush week”.
After rush week, current fraternity members decide which new members to vote for. Traditionally, new pledges participate in an initiation ceremony that has historically been accompanied by sad challenges. Due to concerns about the risks of hazing involving dangerous activities and drinking, many colleges have explicitly prohibited it in the interest of student safety. Some colleges have also clamped down on frat parties in response to complaints from other students and the surrounding community.
Membership in a fraternity can confer many advantages. It is not uncommon for these groups to maintain private lodges and clubs open only to their members. Special scholarships may be available and membership can be used for networking which will be valuable later in life. Many people also enjoy the brotherhood that comes with membership.
Fraternities are often identified with Greek letters, as in the case of Lambda Chi, a Christian fraternity, and Phi Iota Alpha, a Hispanic fraternity. These cards usually represent the motto of the group. Thanks to the common use of Greek letters in their identifications, the culture is sometimes described as “Greek”, as in “Greek life” or “Greeks” in reference to the members. It is also possible to use an English name, as in the case of Skull and Bones, a notorious Yale fraternity.
Public service is often a part of fraternity membership. They often include a specific charity or cause in their mission, with members donating funds or time to the cause each year. Members are sometimes frustrated by the judgmental attitudes of people outside the Greek system, pointing to their core missions of service and brotherhood to combat stereotypes about lewd behavior and seedy parties.
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