CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

A fraternity is a local or national organization of male students, primarily for social

purposes, usually with secret initiation and rites and a name composed of two or three Greek
words. These organizations are referred to as ‘Greek’ because their names consist of Greek
letters that serve as a reminder of the group’s value. The members of the fraternity share their
efforts, friendship, and knowledge. Together, they learn, grow, and make the fraternity
stronger. These men make a commitment to each other for life.Social opportunities are a
typical reason for membership, the basic elements of fraternities are friendship and social
contact. Students who feel like part of the community at their school are more comfortable.
Fraternities often offer assistance in academics. There are frequent chances for service and
professional growth in fraternities. Despite the fact that social motivations are more common,
several fraternities require community service as a requirement for membership. Students can
advance both personally and professionally by taking advantage of opportunities for
community service and leadership.

Fraternities are organizations that have been around for centuries and are often associated
with college campuses. Fraternity membership offers many benefits, including a sense of
belonging, increased socialization, and the development of leadership skills. However, joining
a fraternity can also have negative consequences, such as hazing incidents that can lead to
physical and emotional harm. Fraternities and sororities hold a contested place in higher
education and society. Proponents argue that these organizations foster positive relationship
with other students, provide a connection to college, and promote increased engagement;
whereas detractors suggest that members frequently abuse alcohol and largely ignore
academics (Robbins, 2015). Despite the negativities, many students still believe that joining a
fraternity brings significant benefits.