I joined a Fraternity for one reason; brotherhood. I wanted to become the best version of myself in an environment in which others strive for the same goal. However, many view fraternities as organizations of drunken debauchery whereas it's members conform to the ideal of mindless euphoria.
It can be argued that Greek letter societies promote intolerance, social conformity, and elitist up-on-the-pedestal behavior. By what means to organizations designed to build the bonds of friendship and personal growth destroy the culture and ethics of the individual? Furthermore, do fraternities promote mindless self indulgence at the cost of scholarship?
I would like to explore the socioeconomic background and future of fraternity brothers. Do fraternities, through selectivity, monetary contributions and hazing weed out individuals of lacking socioeconomic status, or do they level the playing field by providing social integration and leadership opportunities that the socialite class already has access too? To use the terminology of Armstrong & Hamilton; do these societies perpetuate the elitist class of socialites, or uplift the struggling class of wannabes?
From my personal experience, the role of the Greek letter society is to bring out the best in its members and to promote growth on the individual level. How and why are these societies considered culturally disfunctional and to what extent are these stereotypical viewpoints of greek life true?
These are but a few questions that I will seek to answer over the course of the semester.
I think the idea you suggested in our discussion of how fraternities affect "character development" has some potential -- and I am glad you are considering the controversies surrounding the ways that fraternities shape character. You might also consider the definition of "masculinity" that fraternities tend to shape.
ReplyDeleteStart looking at scholarly books and articles.