Frats are takin' over the news cycle these days. From sexual assault to horrific hazing rituals, fraternities have a long-standing reputation for stickin' it to both genders. Likewise, under-age students of all shapes, sizes and creeds get into drunken brawls, fall from great heights in an inebriated stupor, get in DUI accidents, and sometimes just plain drink themselves to death.
Granted, many feel fraternities build important social relationships and academic networks, and can cultivate leadership and civil responsibility. But it’s undeniable that core elements of the typical frat experience include copious drinking, partying, and other bro-dom misadventures. Although fraternities started out (in the 1800s) as closed groups meant to rebel (mostly) against the authoritarian college experience of the time, they were a far cry from the current hedonism of Greek life.
So what the hell happened?
According to Caitlin Flanagan, the current frat culture came to fruition through two key youth societal movements:
[D]rugs and personal liberation of the ’60s [were] be paired with the self-serving materialism of the ’80s, all of which made partying for its own sake—and not as a philosophical adjunct to solving some complicated problem in Southeast Asia—a righteous activity for the pampered young collegian.
You know, that moment when college students stopped partying as a high-minded gesture to a war-torn country, and started partying for themselves! Flanagan asserts from the early 1980s on, throngs of frat members comprised a unique breed: eager to embrace formalities and traditions of fraternity-history (many still use Masonic-like oaths), but simultaneously promised (and focused) on full-throttle boozing and hookups.
While few begrudge college students living it up to some extent, excesses associated with frat culture—and its often chauvinistic tendencies—can epitomize behavior that seems antithetical to themes we'd like university life to encompass: critical analysis, treating people outside of your immediate demographic with respect, and—you know—an emphasis on learning stuff.
And as the recent scandal at Yale's Delta Kappa Epilson chapter reminds us (you heard about their rape chants right?) even otherwise thoughtful, and seemingly respectful men can get caught up in deplorable behavior within the cross-section of masculine ritual, peer pressure, and the guise of having a good time.
(Image: commons.wikimedia.org)
