Academic life is sometimes believed to be underlined by the existence of fraternities. In many institutions and environments, the activities of these group have been extremely unpleasant, leading to fatalities.
a) What are your experiences with student fraternities and campus gangs?
b) Are these experiences positive or negative (you may wish to give details)
c) What would be your recommendations where there are excesses?
d) How can we have a win-win situation with campus fraternities?
Interesting question. I'm following. I have heard of these fraternities on campus but I have not been curious enough to find out their activities or be a member
Hi, Adelwale,
Personally, I'm a bit uncomfortable with equating fraternities to cults because the word cult connotes an exclusive social network that requires severing external ties to family. Although there is a hint of exclusion in fraternities, it seems in the U.S. to fall quite short of the all-encompassing exclusion in cults.
That being said, fraternities can be both a positive and a negative experience. Hazing rituals can easily get out of hand and harm pledges in the initiation process. On the other hand, my students who are in fraternities and sororities seem to have a larger social engagement on campus. The response rates for students in my undergraduate research projects are quite high for students who are, as we say here, Greeks.
@Peter, I think the idea has to do with Campus groups with secretive operations unlike proper religious and social organisations that openly project themselves. Secretive in the sense of their pursuit of unwholesome selfish desires - power, influence etc
Peter, I understand where you are coming from and my new research is illuminating the blurred outlines of fraternities and criminal gangs in some environments. It is in fact one major reason I have put this question out here. I appreciate your response. I hope to bring more illumination to the issue and the perspective/slant with which I have presented it and would surely keep you posted.
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