A fraternity is an organized society of men associated together in an environment of companionship and brotherhood; dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of its members. The development of Fraternities has started in England where trade unions and guilds appeared. These guilds were made to protect and care for their members who are in trouble and have problems. A lot of secret signs and handshakes were made to serve as confirmation of their membership.
In the Philippines, Spaniards and other colonizers have established several Philosophical and Fraternal Societies in our country as early as 1850′s but these groups are only limited for them and their allies. The first brotherhood to be founded by Filipinos is the Katipunan, short for Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Venerable Society of the Sons of the People) the main purpose of this group is to gain independence from Spaniards through revolution. As years goes by college fraternities began to form especially when American Education reached our shores. State Universities were the first to enjoy Fraternity Life, particularly in the University of the Philippines where the first Filipino Greek Letter Fraternity “Upsilon Sigma Phi” was established.
Being a member of a fraternity can also be a great advantage for they can have a large group of friends they can gain and a great networking potential. Members often develop long lasting friendships they continue until they become adults. College can be a frightening proposition for a shy freshman but fraternities could help you develop your communications skills, both oral and written and many members can learn how to be more at ease in social situations and others will gain valuable leadership skills. Members can also participate in charitable events, parties, academic dinners or just a simple bonding time with members. Fraternities can also give you Aid in desperate needs.
Anyone who wants to become a member of a fraternity must undergo an initiation or pledge, wherein they will have to do activities or challenges that are humiliating or physically challenging. On what type of activity or challenge you will do, would depend on what fraternity you’re joining. In fraternity pledges: pledgers will basically be a servant to a different brother every day, or will drink excessive amounts of alcohol or large volumes of water from a large barrel, or will be paddled in any part of the body and many more.
Unfortunately, for some pledgers, what was considered to be “safe” has ended unto death. There have been numerous deaths from initiation activities like excessive alcohol consumption, excessive forced water consumption, paddling (that causes severe bodily injuries), etc. So before joining a fraternity you should decide if which one you will fit into best and which initiations or pledges you wont suffer much.
No comments:
Post a Comment