By Jacqueline Ayala, Social Media Editor, and Olyver LaGabed, Writer
This is a harsher critique of the Greek Life scene. So please note that this isn’t to be taken with a sensitive heart, and all in all, the most valuable piece of college is the community you find yourself fitting into.
Jacqueline: Amid the theme of some of this week’s issues, we can’t only talk about hazing, pheromones on fleek, or the hottest celebrities; fraternities also have multiple other hallmarks. As a symbol of brotherhood and loyalty, frats are meant to be a place for people to find a community in college (while paying hundreds of dollars just to be a part of it), making the transition into college life easier. It’s not always a bad thing to join fraternities or sororities, though there is certainly more to it than people think.
1. The Signature Outfit
What is the daily outfit for frat guys? It’s easy (and slightly expensive). To start, we can think of the old money, rich boy style some of us believe our dream man to be. I promise you, you do not want the boy who wears their golf uniform to class on the daily. Ralph Lauren polos and button-ups, boat shoes such as Sperry’s, and a pair of khakis just slightly too short for their legs. If it’s hot, they go for some flip-flops and some sunglasses. And you can’t forget a backwards cap.
2. Frat House Parties
Olyver: But of course, it’s not an article about fraternity life if we don’t mention the loudest aspect of frat houses everywhere: parties. Frat parties are infamous on college campuses for their beer, drugs, questionable crowds, and bad decision-making. If your average get-together is a domestic house cat, frat parties are an exotic reptile that’s a funny color you aren’t entirely sure is natural – that is to say, a different beast entirely. But, to most partygoers, that seems to be the appeal. That, and no one can resist a copious amount of that good ol’white girl music.
3. The Houses
Jacqueline: Those historic buildings with beautiful exteriors? Most likely a complete mess on the inside. Frats, while they may be a brotherhood, weren’t fully taught to clean and keep a house. Not all frats are like this, I will admit. But you’ve seen the ones with holes in the walls, dirty mattresses, and the overall lack of care into doing something every well-adjusted adult needs to learn.
4. Drug Use
Olyver: Speaking of well-adjusted adults: cocaine! After all, what’s a clubhouse without a little fairy dust to brighten up the living space? I’m joking, of course. I’m required to tell you that drugs are bad for you (because they are). While it’s true that not all frat boys dabble in these harder drugs – some like to stick on the greener side of things – it is true that these drugs are found at frat parties more likely than not. Maybe that’s what gives them that odd little glint in the eye.
5. The Frat Flick
Jacqueline: Frat boys can’t dance. After all, their parties aren’t exactly doing the Cupid Shuffle with the boys. Rather, they do this simple, easy little move known as the Frat Flick. Simply bob your head to the beat of the music (not too much now; you can’t seem like you’re having fun), raise your arm, and flick to the music. Now you’re ready to listen to Firework by Katy Perry.
6. Hazing
Olyver: And last, but certainly not least, hazing: a current hot topic in the world of fraternity houses. See, hazing can be innocent – there’s no real harm done in making a group of boys wear something funny for a joke – but a lot of the time, these seemingly innocent pranks go just a step too far, or even become an outlet for problematic behavior such as assault.
And when it comes down to it, that really is the largest problem people have with fraternity culture. Yes, there are fun aspects, but the fun aspects are never worth the dangers that unfortunately come with frat houses. No Katy Perry song or golfer’s outfit is ever worth allowing yourself or others to be hurt. Sure, some frat houses are better than others, but the fraternity culture in general is something that must be improved upon before it can ever be called completely safe.
