Disclaimer: This article is meant to be humorous. It is not meant to be a jab at anyone in, or not in, Greek life.
Fraternity: [noun] (translated as singular or plural; fraternities) [1] A group of people sharing a common profession or interests: "A music fraternity." [2] A (typically male, but sometimes female or co-ed) students' society in a university or college: "The fraternities aim to engage college students in helping the local and national community, along with stressing the importance of academics and brotherhood." [3] The state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group: "the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity."
Joining a college fraternity isn't for everyone. Many college students and graduates claim to have not gone greek for many reasons such as, "I didn't want to pay for my friends" or another good one is, "All frats do is party, drink, and have sex. I'm looking for more than that!" These reasons may be valid in the eyes of those who give them, but if you don't give Greek life a chance, then you won't fully be able to understand what it is really about. As a fraternity member, I can give you all the real reasons on why you shouldn't join a fraternity.
1. Don't join if you can't commit to friendship or having brothers.
Some people have a hard time making and keeping friends. If you ever decide to go Greek, you may find yourself having so many more friends that you wouldn't know what to do with yourself. You would have to commit a decent amount of time to caring about those who want to be your friend and accepting those who want to care about you. This is a big no-no if you hate having friends and having to maintain all that goes along with friendship. The friends you will make in a fraternity will be lifelong friends and will always be there for you.
And in a fraternity, these friends will be taken one step further and be considered your brothers. Uh oh! You mean that they will become more than just friends by being like family to me? Yes, they will. They will be there through thick and through thin, and they will support you in your times of trial and celebrate with you in times of triumph. They will tell you the truth no matter how much it hurts, but they will also stick by your side when you really mess up.
So if you're anti-social and hate having even more family, let alone friends, then beware of joining a fraternity. They are the brothers that will never leave you no matter what you do.
2. You shouldn't join if you don't like volunteering and helping others.
Many fraternities pride themselves in improving their local and national community and making a difference in the lives of others. Every fraternity has a specific organization as their main philanthropy, and they will host many different events to raise awareness and funds for it. But not only will they emphasize the importance of this one philanthropy, but they will show their support to all other charity and philanthropy organizations on campus and around the community. Some chapters even require its members to obtain so many service hours a semester.
Helping others? That's not frat at all. Believe it or not, service to others is an extremely important part of fraternity life. If you're the kind of person that doesn't have time to give back to those in need or the community, then joining a fraternity probably isn't your best bet. You really have to be willing to help out even if it means waking up at seven in the morning to be at an event for eight.
3. If you're not ready to be an adult, then you shouldn't join.
In the adult world, you have to be able to budget your money, so that you can afford the things you want to do. When you join a fraternity, if you're anything like me, you will have to learn how to budget your finances and get a job so that you can afford chapter dues.
Why would I want to do that? I'm not paying for my friends! I'd rather use my money elsewhere and not have to get a job. This is college, not the real world. When you join a fraternity, you're going to have to grow up and pay monthly dues in order to keep the chapter running. It's not going to magically stay afloat by imaginary money. This money isn't blown on booze or worthless things. It is meant to help the organization develop further as well as enhance and create programs to turn its members into leaders in their community.
Many fraternities understand the difficulties of transitioning into adulthood and having to pay for things on your own. That's why they will provide payment plans and help brothers learn how to budget and keep their finances straight. Members may even be able to help you find a job through their connections in the community. But again, this means having to grow up and be an adult about where your money is going to go: whether it's going towards an organization that enhances your college experience and will help you in your future or it's going towards a new TV that's only a few inches bigger than your last.
4. Fraternities strive to better their members, which may not be a goal of yours.
Fraternities strive to develop their members into leaders and teach their members skills to improve their roles in society. They also hold eight to 10 week courses to teach their organization's values and ideals to new members, so they may better themselves personally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Most, if not all fraternities, strive to teach their new and active members how to succeed in society and be leaders in the community, along with learning the respect and values of gentleman.
But I'm already the best person I can be! I don't need someone telling me how to live my life and the kind of person I have to be. We would never tell anyone that they need to change who they are. What we care about is helping one another be the best person they could possibly be, and if you think you're already the best version of yourself and don't need a fraternity, then this kind of organization just might not be for you.
5. Fraternities have a set of standards and rules, and you may not want to follow them.
Rules? I just got away from a home full of rules, why would I want to follow even more? The dorms are already treating us like we're back in high school with the boys and girls separated! Fraternities have a set of standards and rules for the ways members conduct themselves and for being able to be a functioning unit/organization. Without these set of rules and standards, who would lead the organization?
Most fraternities also have a GPA requirement of their members. You mean to tell me I have to apply myself as a college student to join an organization? What are they trying to do kill me?
Fraternities also have a board of members selected by the fraternity itself to hold hearings on the questionable behavior of a brother and set rules and regulations on appropriate behavior. Being in fraternity is nothing like what you see on television. So you mean to tell me that I can't act like a degenerate the entire time? How do you expect me to frat hard and frat often?
Many of these "reasons" on why you shouldn't join are often considered reasons why you really should join a Greek organization. A fraternity can become your home away from home, and the connections you make will last for the rest of your life. College is difficult, and having brothers by your side will help make things a little bit easier. They will hold you to a higher standard than most people will, and that's not a bad thing, especially when you're on your own in the real world for the first time. Not every brotherhood will encompass all of these aspects and not every fraternity is for you. You can't ever let one fraternity ruin your idea of the rest of them. It is important to find a fraternity that will fit you and your goals as you experience the best years of your life.
