A fraternity is a male-only organization with members who share common interests in one way or another. The college fraternity is probably the most well-known form in North America, but social and other fraternal organizations can be found all over the world. Phi Beta Kappa, the first college fraternity in the United States, was founded in 1776.
A lot of college fraternities have academic requirements for membership. People who want to join usually take part in activities over the course of a week at the beginning of the semester. Because most colleges with a fraternity system have multiple fraternities, these events are usually held during the same week for all groups, allowing people to learn about all of their options. This is referred to as “rush week.”
Following rush week, current fraternity members vote on which new members should be voted in. New pledges are required to attend an initiation ceremony, which has traditionally included hazing challenges. Many colleges have explicitly banned hazing in the interest of student safety due to concerns about the risks of hazing, which include dangerous activities and drinking. In response to complaints from other students and the surrounding community, some colleges have cracked down on fraternity parties.
Many benefits can be gained joining a fraternity. It’s not uncommon for these organizations to keep separate living quarters and private clubs for their members only. There may be special scholarships available, and membership can be used to network, which will be beneficial later in life. Many people appreciate the sense of brotherhood that comes with being a member.
Greek letters are frequently used to identify fraternities, such as Lambda Chi, a Christian fraternity, and Phi Iota Alpha, a Hispanic fraternity. The motto of the group is frequently represented these letters. The culture is sometimes referred to as “Greek,” as in “Greek life” or “Greeks” in reference to the members, due to the widespread use of Greek letters in their identifications. It is also possible to use an English name, as the Skull and Bones, a well-known Yale fraternity, did.
Fraternity membership frequently includes community service. They usually have a mission that includes a specific charity or cause, with members donating money or time to the cause each year. To counter stereotypes about lewd behavior and decadent parties, members are sometimes frustrated the judgmental attitudes of people outside the Greek system, pointing to their fundamental missions of service and brotherhood.