In college, there is a culture that exists all over the country of binge drinking. College is the first time a lot of students are on their own for the first time and have opportunities to consume alcohol. Joining a Greek chapter only creates more opportunities for consuming alcohol in mass quantities. Especially as a new member, many members feel a pressure to drink to fit in or even drink to relax and feel more comfortable in their environment. A study done of Greek organizations found that “there are strong positive associations between fraternity and sorority membership and alcohol use, alcohol use and sexual assault, and fraternities, alcohol, and sexual aggression” (Anderson 88).
The use of alcohol creates this environment of comfortableness
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“The campus hook up culture limits […] opportunity to practice or engage in traditional dating and long-term committed relationships. As a result they are less experienced in […] paying attention to the ‘warning’ signs of […] emotionally abusive partners” (Abowitz 121). Because of this hook up culture, many people are unaware of what a healthy relationship looks like due to the fact that many students have never been in a relationship, let alone a healthy one. In addition, “several facets of today’s campus hook up culture […] are easily linked to increased romantic risk taking and dating violence” (Abowitz 121). The nature of hookup culture leads to many people putting themselves in situations they may not be comfortable and thus putting themselves in a situation where the potential for abuse …show more content…
This program was created in 2004 to address the high number of incidents of sexual assault affiliated with the University of Maryland’s Greek community. It works to give members an opportunity to discuss the issue of sexual and interpersonal violence, how they can intervene in this situation, and how to support individuals who may be victims. The goals of this program are to develop an understanding, foster a sense of responsibility, and to promote change at a chapter level. This program operates on an individual chapter level by holding group-based discussions surrounding these topics that are an issue in our community and are facilitated by volunteer staff members and graduate students. I believe that this Ten Man and Ten Woman program can be expanded upon to begin to eliminate the barrier of silence in our
Wright’s assumption that sororities are corrupt because of alcohol consumption is flawed since he fails to look at college students as a whole. Wright ends his article with a glimpse of Reggaefest hosted by Sigma Kappa which is considering “the last big blowout of the year before exams and the farewell of another graduating class” (557). In displaying the intoxicating students at the party, Wright entices the reader to look down on the chaotic drinking, but he fails to realize that other students outside of the Greek organization are probably partying and drinking for the same reason. Anyone is college has access to alcohol in some way or another. If students really want to drink, they will find a way. He points his finger at the Greek system, probably the largest groups on ca...
Conor Kelly argues in her article, “Sexism in Practice: Feminist Ethics Evaluating the Hookup Culture” that the hookup culture discriminates women and disempowers them too. I will like to agree with Kelly, many women do not become stronger from the hooking up culture. They tend to become weaker from the men that encourage them to feel a certain way but the second they stop paying attention to them, they feel less of themselves. Yet, for many women hooking up gives them more control of their own life making them feel that they have more power. And as time starts to change, people start to grow and mature try to accept one another equally. But we have to conclude that the double standard is not going to change.
In reaction to the media’s numerous stigmas around college hookup culture in recent years, sociologists and psychologists have begun to investigate adolescent and young adult hookups more systematically. In “Is Hooking Up Bad for Young Women?” by Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Laura Hamilton and Paula England, this issue is addressed through a reaction to previous articles from sources on opposite sides. One side of the argument over sexual activity for young women places them at risk of “low self esteem, depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders,” while the other side argues that the underlying issue is the “moral panic over casual sex.” This issue has been seen by many as a “sudden and alarming change in youth sexual culture,” but systematic research has shown that experiences of young women in college
Although it is not to say the people of color do not engage in casual sex, but rather that greater hookup culture on average college campuses represents a classist, eurocentric, racist, ableist, and heteronormative system that marginalizes a wide range of students. This social hierarchy rooted in exclusion is a self-perpetuating cycle that often times goes undiscussed, and uncriticized. The author engages with these issues, however, there is definite room for more on the nature of involuntary exclusion in this culture.
When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.
"Some have argued that fraternities are places where rape is likely to occur on college campuses and that the students most likely to accept rape mouths and be more sexually aggressive are more likely to live in fraternities and sororities, consume higher doses of alcohol and drugs, and place higher value on social life at college." according to the article "Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why Are Some Fraternities More Dangerous places for Women?" written by A. Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade. The article ...
Greek organizations are debatably the most undervalued and misconceived aspect of college campuses. Most people don’t see the benefits that fraternities and sororities bring to college campuses and their communities. Some see these organizations as large beneficial clubs and others see them as potential problems. Many of the allegations put forth by individuals that discredit the benefits and good deeds done by Greek organizations are weak justifications for their removal from college campuses. Greek organizations provide campus communities with academically responsible students, philanthropic activities and increase community involvement.
In her book, Hooking Up: Sex, Dating, and Relationships on Campus, Kathleen Bogle studied the different relationship trends over the past 100 years. She explained how young adults shifted from calling on each to dating each other to now hooking up with each other (Bogle 2008). In today’s society, college-aged adults have adopted the practice of hooking up, which involves different levels of intimacy (kissing to sex) without a long-term commitment to one’s partner. Throughout her research, Bogle explored the social script for hooking up and the different relationship dynamics for young adults due to this practice (2008).
“80 percent of teen-agers have tried alcohol, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in the top three causes of death among teens: accidents, homicide and suicide” (Underage, CNN.com pg 3). Students may use drinking as a form of socializing, but is it really as good as it seems? The tradition of drinking has developed into a kind of “culture” fixed in every level of the college student environment. Customs handed down through generations of college drinkers reinforce students' expectation that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for social success. These perceptions of drinking are the going to ruin the lives of the students because it will lead to the development alcoholism. College students who drink a lot, while in a college environment, will damage themselves mentally, physically, and socially later in life, because alcohol adversely affects the brain, the liver, and the drinkers behavior.
“Fraternities Fall to Stem Tide of Binge-Drinking Deaths, Lawsuits Claim.” Trial. October 2004 v40 i10: p10. Infotrac.com - a. The Gale Group. UC Riverside Thomas Rivera Library, Riverside, CA.
Greek Life, or the presence of fraternities and sororities, exists in many colleges and universities. According to Michael Grandillo in an Encyclopedia article, “there are more than 5,500 chapters on 800 campuses throughout the United States and Canada.” Although Greek Life is so common, participation in such organizations can be a controversial topic, particularly when critics suggest that hazing can be detrimental to students' health and college careers. For those who do not know much about Greek Life, or the process that one goes through to become affiliated with this system, there is first a week called “rush week,” where fraternities and sororities host parties in attempt to cajole students into joining their organizations. If members of a fraternity or sorority like a particular student, they will vote to give that student a “bid,” which gives that student the opportunity to pledge their organization. If the student accepts the bid, his pledge process will begin, which generally lasts between six to ten weeks. Assuming the student sticks it through, he will be admitted into organization and will be rewarded with the benefits of membership for the remainder of his life. Despite the fact that some Greek organizations engage in intense hazing practices that may result in reduced grades for pledges, it is beneficial for students to participate in Greek Life because organizations force students to create strong bonds among one another while learning important lessons, they prepare students for their future careers, and they provide students with great networking opportunities.
A survey from the Association of American Universities of 150,000 students found that more than one in four women experience sexual assault during their four years in college. Over the four year college period, 27.2% of female students are victims of unwanted sexual contact that ranges from touching to rape (6). Sexual assault is far too common and it is an epidemic that faces many students in college. Many students suffer from the consequences of sexual assault, which is a result of many social and cultural deficiencies, but it can be fixed through a multifaceted approach. The problem of sexual assault can be fixed through the education of the community, a positive and helpful school environment, and classes focused on prevention.
The hookup culture has become deeply ingrained in the college experience, all across the country students are fulfilling their desires while preserving their autonomy. On the surface the hookup culture doesn’t sound so bad, however, I am going to argue that the hookup culture itself stems from and promulgates problematic societal inequalities. I will develop my claim by first discussing the dominance of the hookup culture and the societal pressure placed on those who don’t want to participate or are unsure about participating in what the culture has to offer. Then, I will illustrate why the general dynamic of the heterosexual hookup is an uneven playing field even for women who actively choose to participate in the hookup culture. Finally,
Paul, E. L., & Hayes, K. A. (2002). The casualties of “casual” sex: A qualitative exploration of the phenomenology of college students’ hookups. Journal of personal and Social Relationships, 19, 639-661.
...of hazing rituals is to have more supervision and be more cautious about dangerous activities. Alcohol is a common part of the fraternity life and using it to haze can have severe damaging effects; it can even be deadly. More comforting support should be given to the pledges, rather than intimidation and discouragement. Students have to mature and live the values of education and responsibility. Instead of searching for weakness in a pledge, active members should begin to test the hearts of new members. The love and support of a family are the main justifications for the Greek tradition on campus. Cruel initiations have lasted nearly one hundred years; but if hazing does not stop now, administrators are bound to put an end to the Greek system of communal life for college students. Students would then lose a system for forming friendships that ought to last a lifetime.