Each year fraternities are the cause of hundreds of incidences of violence. The environment of these so- called brotherhood organizations give college students an escape from a stressful week of studying, but is this the necessary escape? Are students safe when entering a fraternity house? My argument is against the notion of whether there should be fraternity houses, because I am concerned about the safety of students involved in these associations.

The majority of students attending college are under the suitable age to drink alcohol. By students simply paying an inconsequential amount for a keg cup, fraternities enable under-age students to drink alcohol. These students sometimes act out in extreme outrage because of their increased alcohol level. This inexcusable behavior causes unnecessary violence, which can lead to injury and destruction. I believe that these fraternity houses are a supplemental cause of this atrocity on college campuses.

Another reason why fraternities should not be in existence is because of the rivalry which occurs between them. Extreme rivalry causes fights between houses, often injuring those involved and all others in their path. Often there are often no motives for a brother to start a fight with an opposing one, only for the lone fact that they belong to different fraternities. Students are getting hurt by simply joining these organizations or by attending parties held at these houses. Without these fraternities this indignity would be resolved.

To become a member of a fraternity, students who choose to pledge must enact several measures, often embarrassing, dangerous, and possibly illegal. The hazing which occurs is often unbelievably drastic. For example, several years ago, at this very school, a student chose to pledge for a particular fraternity. To be accepted the student had to drink excessively, taking part in many other offensive events, and then sleep in the attic on a freezing winter night. That unfortunate student was so obliviated that he received hypothermia while asleep and died. This horrible incident is the reason that fraternities are not recognized at UMass Lowell today. This is just one example of the extravagant and severe conditions that these fraternities undergo.

Society can not put the blame on the fraternity brothers, but instead on the whole "fraternity scene". The drinking, violence, and excitement manipulate the minds of everyone around. The distorted behaviors in these fraternity houses also correlates with the incidents of rape and date rape. The turnout, along with the size of the fraternity house plays a substantial role in this appalling deed. Presently in the 90's young girls have to wrestle with the skeptical decision of what is dangerous and even more precise, who is dangerous? I feel that fraternity houses and the behaviors that are conducted in them constitute some of the major problems of violence on campus today.

The violence, underage drinking, hazing, date rape, and misdemeanors that take place in the fraternity houses make it clear to me why I feel that fraternities should not exist. Removal of fraternities will not entirely reduce the consequences of violent behaviors, but help minimize the reoccurring problems facing campuses everywhere. Too many unnecessary incidents leaving students injured, or worse, have already occurred, and unfortunately more will take place in the future. This outrage can decrease with the extinction of fraternities and the control of drinking among college students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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