Greek Life Benefits

All around the country incoming university freshman make the decision of whether or not they will rush a sorority or a fraternity. In their decision making process, they weigh the pros and the cons and make their final decision, with thousands deciding to rush. This decision sets of their next four years. Scholars and parents of the children who decided to rush watch to see how that decision affects the rest of those student’s lives. In their study, “Fraternities, Sororities and Binge Drinking: Results from a National Study of American Colleges,” Professors Wechsler Kuh, and Davenport research the negative effects of a fraternity or sorority membership on binge drinking. Their findings focus on one aspect of Greek Life, whereas in her article, Jackie Burrell, outlines the many benefits of Greek Life that are often overshadowed by the negative focus on binge drinking. Wechsler et al. claims that the correlation
Ignoring the stereotypes for sororities and fraternities, Burrell focuses on the often overlook positive qualities of Greek life that pertain to both fraternities and sororities. She gives examples illustrating the benefits of Greek Life that have no relationship to the allegations of increased partying given in Wechsler’s et al. study. These benefits include fostering philanthropic interests, friendships, leadership attributes and social skills. These things, and more, help not only to ease the transition from life at home and living at the university, but also to prepare Greek Life participants for life after school. These leadership opportunities and business connections through the alumni of sororities and fraternities give participants something that non-fraternity and non-sorority members do not have. Because of the abundance of benefits to Greek Life, Burrell believes that, “there’s a lot more to Greek Life” than partying, and the benefits outweigh the