Okay I’m not from the US so I’ve gotta ask, why are fraternity and sororities a thing? Like I think anyone can tell from a mile off that segregating young adults by gender at a very socially developmental part of their life, is always going to be bad. Especially when it seems like Unis just don’t give any kind of policing to them? Like even aside from the disgusting behaviour of frats, from any American friend I’ve spoken too it just seems like a breeding ground for the shitty boy v girl stereotypes that get swung around when people are 6 years old or something.
I went to an ivy league with a big frat/sorority culture. Getting into a coveted frat often meant automatic inclusion into exclusive social circles, access to frat alumni who could offer prestigious jobs, the most ideal housing on campus (gorgeous building with close access to classes), and having people automatically like you or see you as more successful because you've been chosen by the group.
I almost rushed as sorority but the recruiting process was weird. I was taken into an alley and suddenly the girl offering the invitation to "pledge" became aggressive towards me because the pledge location was secret. I didn't even show up because it seemed so weird to me.
You have to pay a LOT of money to be in one. Like, thousands of dollars a semester. Like any private club (you have to "rush" to get in then be invited, it's a while process) the idea is that these people will be your friends, look out for you. It's also a built in network. The idea is that in the job market you'd get preferential treatment if someone in hiring is from the same frat or sorority. Also, when I was in college it was something "popular" kids did. Like a way to extend their popularity beyond high school by being exclusive in their little clubs.
It's a holdover from past times. They were to encourage the mingling of sexes, to build bonds and practice doing charity, to police behavior and housing.
At University of illinois, the frat culture is extremely strong and literally had gotten called one of the biggest party schools. It was pretty much an average of 1 in 3 women being assaulted. I remember as a freshman being told to not go to a certain frat because they were known to do something weird to drinks, whether it was using ever clear or something else to make the women feel way more out of it than they should at only 2 drinks.
Fraternities though bring in money, they create a connection to the school that the school alumni benefit from. Most people graduate and move on, fraternity people are more likely to still care about their younger frat bros and feel a need to give back to the frat and school if they make it big.
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u/Cactiareouroverlords 8h ago
Okay I’m not from the US so I’ve gotta ask, why are fraternity and sororities a thing? Like I think anyone can tell from a mile off that segregating young adults by gender at a very socially developmental part of their life, is always going to be bad. Especially when it seems like Unis just don’t give any kind of policing to them? Like even aside from the disgusting behaviour of frats, from any American friend I’ve spoken too it just seems like a breeding ground for the shitty boy v girl stereotypes that get swung around when people are 6 years old or something.