Tradition or safety Amid growing debate over sexual assault on campus and excessive behavior among college students, universities are opting for—and against—coed Greek houses. When it comes to the topic of whether or not fraternities and sororities should be co-ed, most people are not sure which side of the argument to choose. Where the argument usually ends, is a question of equality. Although fraternities are troublesome, they should remain single sex because of the lifelong friendships it creates.
Generally, many of the actions that take place in Greek life are frowned upon. The biggest problems with Greek life, practically fraternities, is the alcohol and sexual abuse. Fraternities host the parties, which means they are in control of the environment in which they party in and the alcohol. Which can it more dangerous because he men take advantage of the women easier. Many people are making the argument that making Greek Life co-ed would put an end to the problems with it. Some believe that “The presence of women in fraternities would prevent male students from having absolute control over social events and would reduce the risk of sexual assault”(Mott). By making fraternities co-ed, women will gain more power of the party environment and be able to better protect themselves. Some people claim that lifelong relationships are not enough to justify “The harm that segregation by sexes wreaks on young people’s development across both personal and career realms”(Eliot). Spending all of one time with one sex growing up is detrimental to their social behaver, that socializing with the opposite sex will become difficult.
Although there are positives for fraternities going co-ed, there are more positives. For one, the entire Greek life system would fall apart if it were to go co-ed. If a fraternity were to accept a female, then the national organization for that fraternity would withdraw from the school campus(Kimbrough). Also, there is a law that provides for freedom of association. If students want a single-sex Greek experience, the they have the right to it.
The best qualities of fraternities are the brotherhood. Fraternities and sororities are known for the lifelong relationships it creates. Being single-sex creates a place where one can feel free from the other sex. From my own personal experience from going to an all-boys school, I can say that being in an environment free from girls is a great experience. I do not have to worry about impressing or looking good for any girls, I can just relax and have fun with my friends and talk to them about anything we want to. I am making great memories and also friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Fraternities should be able to provide that experience, and the same can be said about sororities. Although fraternities can cause a lot of trouble, there are too many good qualities to decide that it would be better to redo the entire way Greek life works. Fraternities are seen as place where alcohol and sexual abuse is a major problem, and is a good amount of the time. Still it is not fare to put the blame completely on the them. Those are normally camps wide problems, making fraternities co-ed is not going to remove these issues off of school campuses. Fraternities offer so much; it would not be fair to take away those experiences away from people. Students should be allowed to have safe place from the other sex and jus be themselves.