A fraternal organization is a group of people who have common goals and power structures. Academic institutions or specific trades are frequently the focus of these organizations. There are also some fraternal organizations that keep their inner workings a closely guarded secret and guard certain pieces of information. A fraternal organization may follow codes of conduct established the group’s founders or leaders, as well as ceremonial practices such as initiation rites. If a fraternal organization has a code of conduct, members who break it may face disciplinary action.
A fraternal organization is often populated and led men. However, there are similar organizations that are primarily for women. Sororities are the name for these organizations. There are also some fraternal organizations that are made up of both men and women, or even exclusively women. For example, the Order of the Eastern Star is a large fraternal organization open to both men and women.
A fraternal organization can be supported in a variety of ways. Donations from members of the organization are frequently used to fund the organization, at least in part. Depending on the fraternal organization’s age, it may be able to support itself through income generated from long-term investments.
Fraternities are well-known among many people, particularly in the United States, because of their presence on college and university campuses. Fraternal organizations have had campus chapters in America since the beginning of the nineteenth century. On American college campuses, there have been reports of abuse within fraternal organizations, including dangerous hazing and initiation practices. Some of these incidents have even made the front pages of newspapers. Despite these incidents, many people remain dedicated to the fraternal organizations that they join in college and remain involved with them for many years after graduation.
There are fraternal organizations for people who share a trade, in addition to college fraternities. In many cases, unions and insurers have taken over the original purposes of these organizations. However, some fraternal organizations that were founded on the basis of a trade still exist. In these cases, the organizations’ goals may have changed as the needs of their members changed.