A big part of going to a university is the constant pressure to join a Fraternity or Sorority. Practically every freshman looks forward to rush week. There are a ton of good things that come from joining a sorority. You can grow as a person while expanding your social circle. It can teach you leadership skills that lead to many great opportunities as well as scholarship opportunities. You are also given a "big" to help mentor and guide you. Many times, they end up becoming apart of your family. Not to mention, you get major housing dibs. Have you seen those cool, mansion like houses they have?
I, personally, have never tried to rush a sorority. I have however, heard of all the negative things that come from joining a fraternity or sorority. Here are all the negative thoughts I have when people talk about joining fraternities or sororities.
Many people, not part of the greek life as the question, "why in the world would someone pay so much money to join a fraternity/sorority just have friends?" Your social circle does grow with the amount of people already apart of the organization but, that just leads to more drama. Everyone always talks about how they live a "drama free life" yet, there seems to be constant drama with your so called "brothers and sisters". Most dues can cost up to $1000 plus extra insindentals. Part of greek life is getting a "big" or "little". With that comes, the responsibility of getting gifts for your "big" or "little". When did society deem it acceptable to buy your way into friendships?
Hazing is a major problem with fraternities and sororities. You have to do certain things to join. Not every fraternity or sorority is this way but, many times these things do happen. There has been a growing death rate in the United States from hazing on college campuses. According to hazingprevention.edu, "76% of all fraternities and sororities involve hazing." They ask you do pointless, demeaning tasks to prove your "worth" to their fraternity or sorority. You shouldn't have to prove to anyone what you're worth.
Partying is one of the major reasons people join. College is a new found freedom for most people. You are finally away from your family, without rules or guidelines to follow. It seems every weekend there is a partying being hosted by one of the fraternities or sororities. Drugs and alcohol are no stranger to these parties. A lot of times, hazing is a major factor at these parties. Binge drinking and substance abuse is a common part of wanting to be accepted by the organization. Many of these pledges, spend all weekend parties and getting black out drunk. Some end up failing courses and having to spend more time and money in college because they chose to party and gain acceptance from other people.
Although these things are heard of, does not mean every fraternity or sorority is this way. In fact, these things can happen regardless if you are apart of Greek life or not. These just happen to be common stereotypes surrounded around fraternities and sororities.
If you are trying to decide whether or not it would be a good fit for you, take these things into consideration and do what is best for you. Although I didn't see it a fit for me, I think it works out for a lot of people and changes their life, for the better.
