Fraternities & Sororities: A Social Boon or Bane?
What comes to mind when you encounter the words ‘fraternity’ and ‘sorority’? I suppose it’s more or less something unpleasant, correct? No need to deny it. The stigma that these ‘brotherly & sisterly’ groups are associated with certainly resurfaces or precedes their reputation. This same mark disgraces these groups per se, which is unfortunate.
As what was introduced, Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers, once said, “Man is a social animal. It is in his nature to belong”. Be it in a group or in a more intimate relationship, everyone does need to have a sense of belonging. Acceptance is a necessity for growth and mobility: it is one’s positive reinforcement. But most fraternities & sororities, though the social ties reinforce an individual positively, really do engage in activities that go against what’s right & rational.
So is it legal to join a fraternity / sorority?
“It is every Filipino’s right to form or join a social union given that any acts associated with it are not in any way contradictory to the law. It’s his constitutional right”, says Atty. Martelino during his talk with regard to common knowledge about Fraternities and Sororities. He wanted the students to look beyond the stigma and see the bigger picture. Majority of the colleges and universities in the country prohibits students to form or join such groups, in fear of the negative repercussions they might have. Come to think of it, man’s gullible nature, when provoked, might lead to destructive actions especially given this strength in numbers. With such fear preventing the school administration to carry over this constitutional right into their academic community, the students become blinded by the perception that such unions merely wreak havoc in and outside school grounds.
Would it be beneficial to join?
If the purpose, goal, and means to achieve those are all positive and law-abiding, and that duties and responsibilities given to each member are apt and promotes social maturity, then all’s well and good. It may not be an actual necessity but it does help mold or strengthen one’s character. It is fitting that these organizations put the new aspiring members under initiation rites but it has to be done responsibly. Hazing, for instance, has been made illegal by law so, the then commonplace inflictions are now banned.
The difference of fraternities & sororities in an undergraduate and a professional environment is exactly the latter, professionalism. In a graduate school, the existence of such societies gear towards academic excellence, providing support for each member; to give them the push for motivation & learn self-discipline.
