Chapter Six brings my research to its conclusion. This section briefly mentions my conclusions about male bonding. I view male bonding and inter-male conflict as part of the same process. The conflicts create a temporary sense of unity, but the rituals used also contain the seeds for future problems. (more…)
This section looks at ways that fraternities could break the perpetual cycle of conflict. It explores how rituals are passed from one generation to the next for the sake of tradition, but the power of their fraternal bonds is not necessarily linked to their rituals. How can they promote more constructive bonds in the future? (more…)
Fraternities and their alumni will most likely continue as powerful forces at United States universities. They have survived many conflicts throughout history, and all evidence suggests they will remain campus strongholds in the future. However, the vital questions are what type of male leader does the fraternity system want to produce? Will these leaders be best equipped to respond to a rapidly changing world that promotes racial and gender equality? Will they just stick to traditional power roles and the usual elitism? The choice is theirs to make? (more…)
As more and more university students enroll in US universities, the percentage that actually become fraternity members is waning. The cost of tuition is rapidly increasing, making the payment of fraternity dues less desirable. Since fraternity houses operate like a business corporation, they will need to find news ways to attract recruits for pledging or risk a loss in revenue. Fraternities are also suffering from the legal costs of alcohol or hazing-related lawsuits. Insurance rates are skyrocketing for them as well. Ultimately, fraternities may have to reevaluate the type of bonds that they promote. (more…)
Why does a destructive act happen at one fraternity while not at another? How does male bonding differ between a model fraternity and one where violent hazing takes place? What is the nature of female bonding at sororities and how does the dynamic of power and hierarchy play out inside these female-run households? How are the rituals at sororities different than at fraternities? More research needs to be done to answer these questions. (more…)
This section is comprised of my bibliography and lists the resources used for research. (more…)