21-year old law student, Marc Andre Marcos joined the fraternity convinced that he would find brothers in studying and eventually in his chosen profession. In the same vein, another law student ended his search for “blood” brothers through the rootless end of the paddle. They followed a long line of men idealistic to a fault, thinking that brothers are what they needed to achieve their dreams. Unfortunately, their lives ended earlier than their aspirations. Today,fraternities have taken on a whole different meaning—one that goes far beyond than just mere camaraderie but rather one that is centered upon inflicting pain, dying in the name of the brotherhood and one that rises to a level that would make people consider it to be banned.
Fraternities and Sororities were originally defined as organizations that provide limitless opportunities to develop one’s leadership skills as well as to build strong relationships (University of Alabama). These organizations originated in ancient Greece as institutions that serve as lay allies to the church. Some of the most well known Greek organizations in the Philippines include: Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Phi Beta and Lambda Rho Beta.
The question of why students still choose to join fraternities despite the controversies surrounding it is one that could easily be answered by Abraham Maslow’s theory of human motivation which states that we humans, have an unconsciously high need for love and acceptance. By understanding this theory, it is easy to conclude that by joining these frats, students seem to think that that void is filled.
Here in the Philippines, being in a fraternity is a means of obtaining confidence and security. Most of the people who join are those coming from rural areas as well as freshmen that wish to be accepted in their new social environment.
One of the benefits of joining a fraternity is that it opens more opportunities. Having existed for decades, fraternities have come to produce many of the most powerful and richest icons in the industry and if one becomes part of that same group, strings can be pulled and many doors will open. The many influential connections can assure any frat member a good future after law school.
Although these privileges may sound wonderful, it is definitely not self-fulfilling. In the world outside of the school halls, it is important that we learn how to be independent and that could only be attained if a person starts to practice doing things through his own hard work and perseverance. It is indeed a very rewarding feeling if at the end of the day, you can say: “I actually did it!”. But someone who relies on what others can do for him would never know that.
Many say that fraternities and sororities are good platforms for creating life-long relationships. In these organizations, one can meet people who share the same interests and who would accept them despite cultural differences. Being part of the brotherhood gives one a feeling of comfort and belongingness that is not easily found within the large confines of the university. It certainly is a good feeling to have people who will guide you and go through everything with you.
However, like in the first argument, this could also be achieved even outside of the pledge. Friendships with people also outside of a frat are more convenient if you prefer to be with people who are not bound by a set of rules and beliefs different from yours. Since most frat members are encouraged to stick to the brotherhood’s rules, it is very hard to find some common ground with them. According to a study done by the American Psychological Association (2001), members of fraternities and sororities are prone to bad health habits such as alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse. This is called the “Greek Effect” wherein the perceptions of one’s fraternity brothers affect his own habits and perceived social norms. In this case, the relationship formed did more harm than good.
The best benefit that one can get from joining a Greek organization is the formation of a strong character. Fraternities and sororities are known for molding their members to become citizens with great leadership skills by teaching them how to use their time wisely and to sort their priorities. The fraternity sets a schedule for the member to follow so that he would have enough time for himself, his studies and the brotherhood. These skills are taught through the branding process, which orients the neophytes on the rules and standards of the organization.
Ironically, the best benefit can also be the worst effect. One issue is that of individualism. Fraternities teach its members control, preventing them from making decisions out of their own free will, brainwashing them of their own beliefs and replacing it with what the group choose to believe in. It is reminiscent of training a puppy on how to act on command—instinct over will.
Perhaps the biggest issue at hand, especially here in the Philippines, is hazing. The Anti-Hazing law was issued in 1995 shortly after the death of Lenny Villa, a law student from Ateneo de Manila University who was a neophyte of the Aquila Fraternity. The following procedures of the initiation rites was included in the formal court hearing:
“The neophytes were subjected to traditional forms of Aquilan “initiation rites.” These rites included the “Indian Run,” which required the neophytes to run a gauntlet of two parallel rows of Aquilans, each row delivering blows to the neophytes; the “Bicol Express,” which obliged the neophytes to sit on the floor with their backs against the wall and their legs outstretched while the Aquilans walked, jumped, or ran over their legs; the “Rounds,” in which the neophytes were held at the back of their pants by the “auxiliaries” (the Aquilans charged with the duty of lending assistance to neophytes during initiation rites), while the latter were being hit with fist blows on their arms or with knee blows on their thighs by two Aquilans; and the “Auxies’ Privilege Round,” in which the auxiliaries were given the opportunity to inflict physical pain on the neophytes.” The same routine was repeated on the second and third day.
One would assume that this revelation would put an end to the immoral initiation but sadly it did not stop there. Although the law was issued in the mid-90s , it was not strictly enforced by the government therefore placing the issue of death by hazing out of the public’s eye for some time. Now, the subject has risen again and the government is scrambling to find someone to blame—the schools, the fraternities—anyone but themselves, who chose to ignore the extent of how badly this situation is. It is also shocking to know that this does not only happen here but also in every other country that tolerates the rules of a Greek fraternity.
Should fraternities be banned? I believe it should. Although banning it would not stop all other heinous crimes of murder in the country, it is definitely a step towards justice not just for Marc Andrei Marcos but also to those who died before him due to the same torture that they have to gothrough just to feel accepted. Besides, everything that a fraternity can provide, you can provide for yourself with just a bit of hard work. So, if you are planning to join a fraternity in the near future, think twice. Are you really willing to put your life on the line?
References
American Psychological Association (2001). Short and long-term effects of fraternity and sorority membership on heavy drinking: a social norms perspective. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 15(1). http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun01/fraternities.aspx
Gonzales, C. (2009, December). Being in a fraternity builds friendship and character.
Daily Titan. http://www.dailytitan.com/2009/12/being-in-a-fratenity-builds-friendships-and-character
Mendoza, A. (2011, August). The Psychology of Joining Greek Life. The Collegian (California State University-Fresno, http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2011/08/29/33867/
Robles, C. (2006).Republic Act No. 8049.
PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES AND CODES CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY, http://www.chanrobles.com/antihazinglaw.htm#.UCWteWOowVk
Supreme Court of the Philippines (2012, February 1). G.R. No. 151258. Supreme Court of the Philippines, http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/february2012/151258.htm
University of Alabama (2008).Fraternity and Sorority Life. UAB Student Affairs. Retrieved from http://main.uab.edu/Sites/students/life/leadership/greek/
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