A fraternity, as defined by the The American Heritage Dictionary is "a chiefly social organization of male college students, usually designated by
Greek letters."(pg. 523) This definition, however, is very limited and leaves plenty of space for short sighted people to believe the stereotype conveyed by the popular media, where fraternity members are depicted as drunks who accomplish nothing either scholastically or socially. Unfortunately, both this definition and media portrayals fail to mention the fact that membership in a fraternity is a life-long experience that helps its members develop social, organizational, and study skills during college, and that teaches true, everlasting friendship. As a matter of fact, fraternities have a long tradition of high academic achievement, and most of our nation's presidents were members of a Greek association.he only true distinction between a fraternity and any other form of social organization is the implication that the members freely associate as equals for a mutually beneficial purpose, rather than because of a religious, governmental, commercial, or familial bond, although there are fraternities dedicated to each of these topics.[2] On most college campuses fraternities are divided into three groups such as social, professional and honorary.
Fraternities can be organized for many purposes, including university education, work skills, ethics, ethnicity, religion, politics, charity, chivalry, other standards of personal conduct, asceticism, service, performing arts, family command of territory, and even crime. There is almost always an explicit goal of mutual support, and while there have been fraternal orders for the well-off there have also been many fraternities for those in the lower ranks of society, especially for national or religious minorities.
Colleges strictly ban any type of hazing affiliated with school fraternities because they say it is dangerous, unlawful, and cruel; but are there meaningful lessons behind them or is it just a bunch of students thinking they are a hierarchy. The dictionary states hazing as: To persecute or harass with meaningless, difficult, or humiliating tasks; with that definition all we picture in our minds is physical punishment, alcohol abuse, and daunting task created for amusement. Although the choice of joining a fraternity has obligations with hazing, what they consider traditions, an individual has a right to refuse any affiliation towards those activities. Often those tasks are not just for amusement of upper classmen within the fraternity; however; they are traditions that are passed on. These obstacles often test young men for their loyalty to the fraternity. These tasks usually build respect, trust, endurance, health, and a stronger brotherhood, which is what a raternity is all about. Colleges should unban hazing and allow it at college campuses.
Although there are many cases of student deaths having to do with hazing, it is a small percentage compared to the numbers of brothers that have crossed into active members.