The Frat Bro and His Stereotype | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Frat Bro and His Stereotype

Because "cool" means shotgunning a beer in under two seconds, right?

559
The Frat Bro and His Stereotype

I’m going to start my article off with a leap here and assume you’ve probably seen the movie "Neighbors." You know, that fraternity flick from last year with Zac Efron and Dave Franco where a rowdy fraternity moves in next door to a happy couple (Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne) that is trying to adjust to life with a baby? Good luck to them--right??

Yeah I'm talking about these two fabulous studs. Look at that form. They must be in a frat!

I hope I’m ringing a bell. But in case I’m not or if you missed out on the movie…

Let’s go back to 1978 and take a quick peek at a similar film:

I really shouldn't have to say the title for this but...

"Animal House"

I’m sure you know this classic tale: Wild and crazy fraternity gets shut down by the school’s dean because they drink, they party, they make out with the mayors underage daughter and even hook up with the dean’s wife. They take pride in low grades and their adept ability to destroy homecoming parades! How absolutely FRAT of them!


To most people this image below is the fraternity standard!


Here's "Bluto" as he helps solidify this oh-so-Greek standard of excellence!

Taking a look at these two films (and probably every fraternity flick you've seen) I'd like to ask you:

What is the common denominator?

Drinking? Being Loud? Being an overwhelming and ignorant a**-wipe?

Yup. I think so? Maybe?

These seem to be some of the common ingredients for creating the quintessential “Fratboy” -- or at least that's how the media would have you view it!

As much as I would like to tell you that I wake up early on Monday mornings just to get in my morning keg-stand before Info 200, I can’t. Regretfully, the stereotypes just don’t quite match up with reality.

It's now my time to shine and disappoint anyone who might not know what it's like to live in a fraternity on your average day!

Being Greek myself and having lived the last year in my fraternity home, I feel like I have enough insight to share with you my usual routine:

  1. I wake up and get ready for my morning classes.
  2. I struggle to stay awake for my first class and force myself to write down every word the professor says so I can go over it “later.”
  3. After my classes I head back to the fraternity and eat some lunch. Maybe I go back to class depending on the day.
  4. I go the gym or do something fun with my friends to give my mind a break from school. Maybe even both—gosh who knows!
  5. I eat some dinner and relax/procrastinate for a little bit.
  6. I get down on some homework while I listen to a relaxing study music playlist I randomly found on YouTube. Maybe it's Celine Dion -- but hey let's not judge people too quickly! That's for a different article!
  7. I go to bed.

So that’s a normal day.

But what about party days?

  1. Wake up.
  2. Drink.
  3. Get Faded.
  4. Drink.

Whoops! Sorry I forget I’m not Kendrick sometimes—MY BAD!

Back on track now:

  1. I wake up and get ready for my morning classes.
  2. I struggle to stay awake for my first class and force myself to write down every word the professor says so I can go over it “later”. (I promise I will, Mom)
  3. After my classes I head back to the fraternity and eat lunch. Maybe I go back to class depending on the day.
  4. I do my homework because HEY GUESS WHAT I have fairly average time management skills and I want to have fun later. Yaaaaaaaay!
  5. I enjoy some delicious chef-cooked dinner that I didn't even have to walk to "The Ave" for.
  6. I finish any homework and then find myself an appropriate outfit for the night’s event.
  7. I drink and have fun!
  8. Bedtime. (OK sometimes “couch” is pretty much equivalent to “bed” on these nights).

There you have it. It’s not extraordinary. It’s not "Animal House"-worthy. On my average day I don’t even go through 14 beers!


I only go through maybe four.

So, sadly being a "frat bro" is not at all what the media hypes it up to be.

Fun? Yup.

Rowdy Jerks? Nope.

(Let's hope most developed fraternities can say this.)

School Important? Yup.

(We gotta maintain that house average of a 3.3!)

Do I like E-40? Yup.

But did I hear about him before 2011? Nope.

To conclude my second piece for the Odyssey I would like to sincerely apologize to my readers.

I’m sorry I don’t live up to the stereotype.

I’m sorry I don’t shotgun a beer or two before class.

I’m sorry I’m up way too late into the night blasting loud music… (in my headphones while I study).

I’m sorry that I care about doing well in school and making sure my fraternity promotes a positive image.

I’m especially sorry if you choose to believe all of the harmful labels and generalizations that are attributed to Greeks across the nation.

And I’m especially sorry for when these labels and generalizations prove true.

But I'm more sorry if you don't believe that we're on the way to fixing them.

Hope this provided a couple laughs and a quick stroke of insight on the issue.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774507
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

287
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

College Life: As Told By Bob's Burgers

If there's anyone who understand the struggles of college, it's the Belcher family

966
Bob's Burgers

College is a time of gaining independence, exploring new things, and copious amounts of Netflix. If you're like me, you often find yourself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the situations you find yourself in. Here are ten times Bob's Burgers accurately captured college life.

1. What you're pretty sure your upstairs neighbors do at 3am every morning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Why Theater Kids Are the Greatest People Ever

Supportive and spontaneous human beings are the best.

728
Theater Kids

Throughout school, the theater department has always been my go-to place with go-to people when I need advice, a dance party, or just someone to listen to me vent.

You never know what's going to happen when you're dealing with theatre or what kind of characters you'll encounter. We have too much fun doing anything! One time in my senior year acting class, we spent an entire class period watching Bob's Burgers, and it was the greatest class period ever.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments