Outline:
Topic : Should fraternities and sororities be banned in the
PH?
Title : Redefining Brotherhood
I.
INTRODUCTION
a. Death
of Marc Andre Marcos due to frat hazing
b. What
people currently think of fraternities because of the incident
c. THESIS
STATEMENT: Today, it seems that fraternities have taken on a whole different
meaning—one that centers on inflicting pain, dying in the name of the
brotherhood and one that has risen to a level that invites it to be banned.
II.
BACKGROUND
a. Fraternities
i.
Definition
ii.
Famous frats in the PH
iii.
Reasons people
join
III.
1st Argument
a. CON
- being in a frat opens more
opportunities (i.e holding events, having powerful connections)
b. PRO
/ refutation – this could be very expensive and time consuming but could also
be attained through self-effort and perseverance
IV.
2nd Argument
a. CON
- Fraternities build friendships among people who share the same interest
b. PRO- have normal friends not bound by rules
i.
(Refute) stats on health issues in universities
involving those in frats
V.
3rd Argument
a. PRO-
builds strong character
b. CON-
builds independence
i.
(refute) hazing
1. Anti-hazing
law
VI.
CONCLUSION
a. Who
to blame for the incidents involving frats in the PH
b. Do
frats really need to be banned?
The 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 is centered upon inflicting pain rising
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 (Greek Affairs, 2012). 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. Moreover, the idea of fraternities is not
very foreign in our country. The same ideologies can be found as early as the
formation of the KKK where Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo led a secret
group of “blood brothers”.
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 (1943) 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 who 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. Some of
these political personalities include Leila De Lima, the Justice Secretary as
well as former US president, John F. Kennedy.
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 (Battle Branding,2007).
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
from the Supreme Court of the Philippines (2012):
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 is back 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 had go through just
to feel accepted. Besides, everything that a fraternity can provide, one can
provide for himself with just a bit of hard work. So, before deciding to join a fraternity,
think twice. One oath can put a 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). Retrieved From: http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun01/fraternities.aspx
Gonzales, C. (2009, December). Being in a fraternity builds
friendship and character.
Daily
Titan. Retrieved From: 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, Retrieved From: 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, Retrieved From: http://www.chanrobles.com/antihazinglaw.htm#.UCWteWOowVk
Supreme
Court of the Philippines (2012, February 1). G.R. No. 151258. Supreme
Court of the Philippines, Retrieved From: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/february2012/151258.htm
University
of Alabama (2008). Fraternity and Sorority Life. UAB Student Affairs.
Retrieved from Retrieved From: http://main.uab.edu/Sites/students/life/leadership/greek/
No comments:
Post a Comment