For years, the media has continuously pushed the idea that being a part of Greek life means constant partying and life-long bonds. However, the media often ignores the deeper issues that actively exist in these spaces.
“In a frat culture, there’s all these norms that are seen as okay or disregarded because they’re like ‘well this is just what happens.’ It’s brushed off, and it’s not as looked at in big institutions,” Berkeley High School sophomore Talula Price said.
In a recently publicized case, a young woman accused seven Cornell University students of raping her at a fraternity party. Fraternities are often depicted as the center of college partying; inherently glossing over the harmful aspects of that culture, including the possibility of physical harm.
In the “Legally Blonde” movies, the main character, Elle Woods’ sorority is portrayed as a place of tight-knit sisterhood. In “Monsters University,” the main characters Mike Wazowski and Sulley find brotherhood within their fraternity of misfits.
“The stories are up-played to seem like it’s a community of sisters or brothers …and that it’s something to aspire to,” BHS junior Nina Jacobsohn said.
Movies often depict the homogeneity of Greek life members while ignoring the discriminatory practices that also exist. Specifically, membership dues can add up to thousands of dollars, making Greek life economically inaccessible. Additionally, “rushing,” the process of joining sororities and fraternities, is often based on unspoken and unfair rules. While sororities and fraternities legally can’t discriminate, sororities frequently seem to curate their appearances — accepting only white, thin, and affluent girls.
Movies depict fraternities and sororities as brotherhoods and sisterhoods, but ignore how only some people are accepted into that ‘family.’ When Greek life is glorified as the ideal college experience, it can create a sense of inferiority for other students.
“(Being in a fraternity or sorority) is a status symbol that could be projected onto the rest of campus, especially freshmen,” Jacobsohn said.
As a result of glorifying Greek life, and making it seem crucial to the college experience, society brushes off the many problems associated with it. Instead of holding fraternities and sororities accountable for sexual assault cases, hazing rituals, and centuries-old racist traditions, many people treat them as college students just having their fun.“(The media) portrays the people involved in a way that excuses their actions,” BHS junior Deco Berczynski-Seely said.
Our media needs to stop romanticizing Greek life and normalize questioning the issues embedded in the system. Without critical criticism, the flaws and faults of Greek life will continue to be upheld.