Preview

Common Stereotypes Of Binge Drinking

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
868 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Common Stereotypes Of Binge Drinking
A basis on truth for stereotypes was mentioned earlier. Despite mainstream media’s exaggeration for several of the most popular stereotypes of fraternities, there is some truth. First and foremost, binge drinking is recognized by most articles concerning fraternities. Even with this acknowledgement, it is not uncommon to find a college student who drinks quite heavily, whether it is during parties or not. According to College Magazine’s online article, 5 Stereotypes Frat Guys Will Drink To Forget, Mike Brest stresses that, “It’s true–fraternities sometimes host late-night events with alcoholic beverages. Maybe the bartenders turn a blind eye at checking IDs every once in awhile. But frats definitely aren’t the only college kids to do that. …show more content…
Contrary to popular belief though, it is not a daily occurrence, at least not at most fraternities. Due to the immense amount of other responsibilities, it is doubtful that partying and binge drinking is number one on a to-do list for most Greek houses. Fraternity members dislike the common stereotypes formed by the general population, yet do not help themselves by partying, drinking, and behaving like wild animals. It is fine to have social gatherings occasionally while enjoying cold alcoholic beverages and talking to members of the opposite sex. It is not fine to do have parties so often that all that is accomplished is finishing the stock of beer in the basement and having someone go and purchase more. The final most common stereotype for fraternities is hazing. Hazing is a common tradition for plenty of fraternities, but according to BurntX’s online article, 10 Common Misconceptions About Greek Life, Angela Bonilla clears the issue by reassures that “Hazing a huge issue that is taken seriously by both the University and the national board of that specific sorority and …show more content…
It is an issue that spans across society, but only a handful of people truly understand it and are able to see past what is taken at face-value. They are able to see underneath the surface. Stereotypes and misconceptions are quite unalike. Stereotypes are based on truth, misconceptions are not. Fraternities have done their fair share of ridiculous acts to cement any stereotype that could have been made. Nevertheless, the stereotypes only apply to a fairly small amount of the fraternity members. A party occurring often is an accepted stereotype because it is true, plain and simple. Binge drinking also happens often, but other college students do so as well, and the blame is placed on fraternities in order to use them as a scapegoat. Fraternity members are guilty in at least participating in one of the preceding activities, but that should not define them as people, they are fine young adults who boast morals, a hard work ethic, and amiability. The general public has placed fraternities in a negative light because of true, if barely, stereotypes amplified beyond what is rational, yet what is not recognized is the countless hours spent on charities, service hours, and helping others and each other and that is not

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Binge drinking is a reality of college life in America and perhaps the central focus fraternity life. In Henry Wechsler’s article entitled, “Binge Drinking Must Be Stopped” Wechsler discusses that freshman’s learn during the first week of school where the alcohol and parties are and often has a binge drinking experience even before purchasing a text book. The argument is that freshman’s know where to get alcohol at their first week of school, so they often come back for more and become abuse of alcohol. Wechsler argues that Universities and Colleges presidents should take care of abuse drinking. Wechsler present very little of the opposing side.…

    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In an article entitled “University Greek Life”, Lucier discusses that for many students, one of the highlights of their time in school is their experience with and membership in a fraternity or sorority. She states that joining a fraternity or sorority during your college years is a big decision. In addition, she feels that since someone is in college, they know how important it is to research and think critically before making a decision one way or the other. Lucier also identifies that even if you have the most positive, supportive fraternity or sorority in mind, there has been a culture that has historically supports hazing in higher education. (Lucier)…

    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Rid Of Fraternities

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page

    Alexandra Robbins and Georgianna L. Martin argue in their The Wall Street Journal 2015 article, “Should Colleges Get Rid of Fraternities?” if colleges should remove fraternities. Especially, Robbins believes that fraternities harm college community and involve in risky situations. However, Martin thinks that fraternities are an important part of university life. Robbins states that some fraternity members show some serious misbehaviors and danger their and other students’ lives by supplying alcohol, committing rape in order to prove fraternities are dangerous and should be removed. On the other hand, Martin reveals that they are academically successful and respectful community and they offer an experience in a unique community based on social…

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Frat Boys Research Paper

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The term frat boy is associated with dozens of negative synonyms. They are categorized as boisterous, foolish, and immature. None of the terms identified with men are personality traits of fraternity members. It is commonly known that those who are inexperienced with the world, or are too insecure tend to gravitate towards each other in order to fit in and feel normal. With this psychological burden, fraternities are born. Those who claim themselves as leaders have a dominance over the newcomers affecting the excessive peer pressure found in these types of organizations. Once welcomed into the fraternity, the heavy episodic drinking, smoking, and partying begins, and once these inhibitors are introduced, the chain reaction of events leads to sexual assault. At least one-half of all sexual assaults or violent crimes involve the perpetrator drinking, or both the victim and perpetrator having alcohol in their system (Alcohol). This can be translated to prove that drinking increases the possibility of a sexual assault by 50 percent, and at parties where all people are dinking, the risk increases even further, and substances like marijuana, farther yet. There is a definite correlation between alcohol abuse and sexual violence. Not only can peer pressure be a factor, but also the psychological side of how frat boys are…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Based on a student athlete’s perspective, a member of a fraternity or sorority would drink much more heavily than someone competing in NCAA competitions every weekend. Their belief is such because there is much more opportunity to partake in drinking activities. Many studies have been done, such as one by Yusko and his colleagues that was published in the Journal of College American Health, to show that “during the week consumption is typically similar to that of a non-athlete non-Greek student.” However on a typical weekend a student athlete may binge drink the entire weeks’ worth of alcohol in one night, and then some. This can even out frequency of drinking of one group with a lower quantity with quantity of beverages consumed by another group less frequently. Due to this a Greek life member would be inclined to argue that athletes drink just as much as sorority and fraternity members. Yusko’s study contributed the unique factors of their environment such as “heightened stress, time constraints, social environments, and an increased physical demand” playing a role in how alcohol…

    • 1305 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    A renowned feminist author, Alexandra Robbins states that “Many sisters told me that their sororities have swept these issues under the rug, insisting that the public – and, in some cases, the university – shouldn’t know about them.” (Source D). This demonstrates how important social statuses are and also hints at the corruption of the whole system. Frats and sororities have been becoming more independent of the colleges they reside in, and because of this they are allowed to hide the uglier parts of greek life. In fact, sororities and fraternities deal with housing costs that help universities.…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Alcohol and drug abuse are probably the two most controversial topics when considering Greek life. Those who are not in a fraternity or sorority just think we party all night and pick on the pledges whenever we can. However, most frats and sororities actually are not allowed to promote drinking or drugs. In fact, my sorority, Sigma Kappa, has a strict no tolerance policy, and if we are caught engaging in any of those activities, we are sent to “standards” (our board of chairmen, who make sure all rules are being enforced) and suspended from the chapter immediately. I can’t say that parties don’t happen, but when they do, you must be 18 to enter and if you are 21, most parties will give you a wrist band indicating that you are allowed to drink. Therefore, Greek life members are drinking no more than any other average college kid would. Another thing many people might not know is that…

    • 1745 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Despite widespreadknowledge that fraternitymembersare frequently involved in the sexual assaults of women, fraternities are rarely studied as social contexts-groups and organizations-that encourage the sexual coercionof women.An analysis of the normsand dynamicsof the social construction of fraternity brotherhoodreveals the highly masculinistfeatures of fraternitystructureand process, includingconcern with a narrow,stereotypicalconceptionof masculinity and heterosexuality;a preoccupation with loyalty, protection of the group, and secrecy; the use of alcohol as a weapon against women 'ssexual reluctance;the pervasiveness of violence and physicalforce; and an obsession withcompetition,superiority,and dominance. Interfraternityrivalry and competition-particularly over members, intramuralsports, and women-encourage fraternitymen 'scommodification women.Weconclude thatfraternities of will continue to violate…

    • 6200 Words
    • 25 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    As I am a dual-enrollment high school senior I do not participate in on-campus clubs and activities, so seeing how different groups are treated gives me an insight on what campus life will be like after I transfer to a four-year university. I do not plan on joining a sorority so this study will help in my understanding of what different types of fraternities and sororities stand for and represent. For example, in this study, it was found that black fraternities are more career oriented and concerned about racial issues while white fraternities are more concerned about “living the college life” by doing things such as partying and sleeping around. While this study may not hold true to every college and university campus it is very informative in providing information, especially to someone like me who has no previous knowledge of what actually happens on college…

    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    The Benefits Of Greek Life

    • 2567 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Each fraternity and sorority has a unique executive structure for each college or university, but also a national entity. Fraternities and sororities each have their own developmental curriculum and guidelines that each member must learn and follow, but academics still hold to be the most important priority (IFC 2012).…

    • 2567 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    In an article written by Holly Eagleson, I was able to learn the truth about sororities and see the different stories behind both opinions. The scary side of sororities consists of peer pressure, hazing, binge drinking and drug use along with harsh criticism. The purpose of sororities is to build each other up and to form some type of bond similar to sisters. Instead you have some illegal and embarrassing “group exercises.”…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    At the beginning of my research I started by looking up a statement that would catch my attention, I went page by page until I stumble across (Cohen 1997). The statement he had caught my attention it said "One college fraternity pledge, for example died after a seven hour drinking binge and approximately 24 drinks. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.58, which was six times the legally establish limit to drive a vehicle (Cohen, 1997)." I proceeded into looking up the references which was about Cohen A. (1997, September 8) Battle of the Binge, time, pp. 54-56.…

    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Stereotypes Of Greek Life

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Greek Life is considered to show that anyone involved will not have a successful future. Right off the bat research shows that more than 85% of student leaders are also involved in Greek community, according to East Carolina University. (Holmes) Also, since 1825 all but three U.S presidents have been members of a fraternity. (Glass)…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Rape Myth Campuses

    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Fraternity membership creates a double standard wherein men who have sex are ‘‘studs,’’ and women who have sex are ‘‘sluts’’ (Adams-Curtis & Forbes, 2004). Some fraternities perpetuate this double standard more than others; Boswell and Spade (1996) found that college women were able to identify differences between high and low risk fraternities on their campus. Next, fraternity men and sorority women are more likely than independent men and women to use alcohol before having sex (Lanza-Kaduce, Capece, & Alden, 2006), which may contribute further to the perpetuation of rape culture on college campuses. Previous research has found a correlation between alcohol consumption, sexual violence, and rape culture. When studying unwanted sexual experiences on college campuses, including date rape, Banyard et al. (2005) reported that almost half of unwanted sexual experiences involved alcohol use. Lastly, the presence of rape culture influences not only the risk factors related to sexual violence, it influences post-rape behaviors, so as to conceal and perpetuate rape and the culture of rape. Importantly, rape culture appears to foster silencing. A national survey of college women found that fewer than 5% of sexual offenses are reported to law enforcement (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000). The presence of alcohol makes…

    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Henry Wechsler’s, “Getting Serious about Eradicating Binge Drinking”, he discusses the issue of binge drinking. Binge drinking is an extensive problem on college campuses. The majority of colleges merely focus on the student, rather than what encourages students to drink. Fraternities, sororities, and athletics are huge sources of the students on campus who drink. There are many approaches colleges can take to decrease the problem, and many colleges are already getting a head start. It is also important to not ignore how often colleges indirectly encourage students to drink (20).…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays