The Influence of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement: A Critical Analysis of Research (1996–2013)

Abstract

Critics of the value of fraternities and sororities have considerable evidence to support detrimental aspects of membership. Advocates counter that findings represent isolated cases comparable to the same rate of incidents by nonmember students or students in other campus organizations. The continued recurrence of the argument highlights a persistent difficulty confronting those interested in research and practice related to fraternal involvement. North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) President and CEO Pete Smithhisler recently stated, “often, arguments both for and against the fraternity experience focus on personal experience and anecdotal information” (Pendry, 2010, para. 2). The persistence of these arguments was most recently affirmed in a New York Times column (2011) asking experts to comment on the question, “Should Colleges Ban Fraternities?” Further, research about the legal risks associated with fraternities on campus has done little to convince the public of the value of such organizations (e.g., Elkins, Helms, & Pierson, 2003; Hennessy & Huson, 1998), neither have popular books (e.g., DeSantis, 2007; Nuwer, 2001; Robbins, 2005), nor highly trafficked websites (e.g., http://totalfratmove.com/) that showcase the detrimental aspects of membership. Yet, students continue to join.