As upperclassmen prepare for college, the question arises: what are students’ thoughts on Greek life, and how are they planning to approach that social scene in college? Many students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s have conflicting opinions about Greek life and the outcomes that result from it. Some students believe that Greek life can be a positive experience to build a strong bond and sense of community with their future peers. However, other students consider how it can have the opposite effect, and be the cause for students having negative social experiences in college.
When asked about Greek life, many students were overjoyed and excited to share their thoughts and hopes for the future with sororities and fraternities. Greek life can be seen as a very positive experience for new students to be introduced to a bigger social scene. “I think Greek life is a really good opportunity to make friends. It seems really fun. I think it depends on what college I go to and how prevalent it is there, but I do plan on probably rushing,” senior Lauren Patterson said.
Some students also believe that Greek life can help them to feel more welcome at their college and are in hopes of meeting new people within those communities. “I think it’s a good opportunity to connect with the community and get to know people better and maybe make friends,” senior Liam Mikkelson said.
However, there can also be downsides to rushing as well. Many campuses that participate in Greek life have an unspoken hierarchy with a ranking system within sororities that ultimately determines the status of each sorority at the college. Higher-ranked sororities are typically the ones that are elected by fraternities as the sorority with the “hottest” and “thinnest” girls. “What I [understand about] fraternities is that they sexualize women in sororities and kind of make it a game, only certain girls can get in… And a lot of ideas come from fraternities, judging girls based on their weight or looks… only the prettiest girls they’ll do parties with,” junior Maya Western said.
Students at BSM also brought up concerns about the common practice of hazing and the consequences that come with it. Oftentimes, to be accepted into a well-known fraternity, young men are asked to complete certain tasks that can be dangerous. Common examples of hazing include beating or forms of assault, illegal activity, humiliating performances (public nudity), and much more. “I think that, especially for fraternities, the things you need to do to get in are pretty crazy…And I think that that’s not something that should be promoted,” Western said.
Oftentimes, fraternities also cause a lot of conflict within relationships because of the societal pressure and stereotypical narratives surrounding hookup culture. Fraternities are typically linked with promiscuous behavior and receive a poor reputation for their treatment of women. These concerns arise for girlfriends preparing for long-distance relationships who plan to participate in fraternities. Western describes her concern for the future pressures her boyfriend will face from his surrounding fraternity members, and the temptation of infidelity he will have to overcome. “Boys are pressured into going on dates with sorority girls, even if they have a girlfriend. Especially in long-distance relationships, it can strain the relationship, and I don’t think that it’s fair just to live the college experience and join a fraternity and ditch your girlfriend that you love,” Western said.