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Social
I believe there is merit in both. Networking and sharing camaraderie with your members is an integral part of the fraternal experience that results as a product of grouping but equally as important is the interpretation of the word "Social", as it relates to a fraternal society. The true act of being "Social" as it applies to a fraternity has Philanthropical meaning as it relates giving back to Society, thus, being "Social".
I have found over the years that many outsiders like putting a bad stereo type around Social Fraternities and assume our purpose is to be party animals.
Here's a quick glance at a few factors driving this:
The whole "Party Fraternity" idea is a misrepresentation of what Social fraternities truly represent. The stereo type of the typical "Party" fraternity idea resulted as a product of the hazing escalation continuum that evolved with many Greek Letter Organizations. After World War II lauched off, universities and colleges experienced a surge in enrollment due to the many Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen that returned back to school with the assistance of the Montgomery GI Bill. Most of these men (maybe some women but mostly men at that time) joined Greek Letter Organizations and brought back the "camaraderie" they shared out in the battlefield or at sea so that they could "enrichen" the experience in building the bonds in their Fraternity. For example, it could have been as easy as putting the new "Recruits" or pledges through stereo typical excercises like doing pushups or waking up guys at the crack of dawn. This escalation continuum picked up steam around the 60s and 70s with the media's introduction to movies like "Animal House". However, if you research these same "Party" type groups before World War II you will find that their Ritual ceremonies were very similiar in that they consisted of no more than "Religious" type Rites of Passage like lighting a candle and taking vows for the advancement of mankind in one form or another (i.e. philanthropic). Some of my friends in the real world that belong to other Social Fraternities on National IFC will agree that the purpose of their existence is not about networking and drinking beer. That is an added benefit that comes with joining the organization.
Fraternally,
Boodleboy322
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Hybrid Mode
