Anecdotal only but it seems inflation affecting Greek life recruitment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither of our DCs were interested, though we raised reasons why we thought they were good (DH and I both attended schools w/o Greek life), including friends for life, etc. DD said she didn't want to "pay for friends" and that most of the ones she knew of were pretty racially homogeneous (two of her close friends who are older both pledged). DS said he was concerned about the hazing as well as the ethnic/racial homogeneity.

Both of them chose schools with no Greek life.

And good for them they made a choice they ate happy with. What I don’t understand is “paying for friends”? How is it paying for friends any more than joining a club or dojng a sport?

Is this... a serious question? The whole point of Greek life is to categorized people into pre-ordained "friend groups" based on some contrived social hierarchy. Joining a club or doing a sport = finding commonality based on a shared hobby or endeavor.

I don't see it. You go through rush and get to know people, and those who you connect with ask you to join, you decide, and that's it. You're not walking in with a big check saying this is what I'm worth, bring me aboard new friends! The whole idea of "paying for friends" is just stupid, untrue and outdated. It's paying to be part of a social club essentially, which is the same as paying to be ... um part of a club. There is no social hierarchy unless the potential new member looks at it that way. My DS is in a lower tier fraternity and it's perfect for him. He doesn't need anything more than the friendship, events and opportunities that they offer. If your kid is going in looking for only a top house, then they are being more fake than the house they are looking at and you should blame your kid not the system.

My DS rushed this spring and spent at least two weeks going to an event every other day, really got to know the other kids very well. Made friends there that he connected with. Joined the frat, Then paid dues which keep the "social club" sustainable just like any other.