Brian King Source 3

Brian King Source 3

What is the worth of Fraternity / Sorority life?

Corprew, Charles S., and Avery D. Mitchell. "Keeping It Frat: Exploring the Interaction Among Fraternity Membership, Disinhibition, and Hypermasculinity on Sexually Aggressive Attitudes in College-Aged Males." Journal of College Student Development 55.6 (2014): 548-62. Web.

The source explores only fraternity life and not sorority life, and how fraternity affiliation affects sexual aggressiveness and masculinity. Hypermasculinity is defined as the "exaggerated adherence to traditional male gender role beliefs". This article also explores how hypermasculinity leads to sexual aggression. The article explores the results of a study conducted which hypothesized that "the interaction among fraternity membership, hypermasculine attitudes, and disinhibition would significantly predict attitudes toward sexual aggression." While it was found that hypermasculine attitudes and disinhibition on sexually aggressive behaviors did have a positive correlation, the hypothesis that tied fraternity membership into the picture was not supported. 

It is refreshing to learn from this source that fraternity membership does not necessarily indicate higher levels of hypermasculinity or sexual aggression. This went against my preconceived notion that I hoped to do away with at the start of my research. While this article does give me information on my question, it does not fully answer it. The study  was conducted among 3 southern U.S schools. I would also like to search for other information with a broader scope, perhaps in different areas in the U.S. This also brings makes me consider if there are any similar correlations between sexual activity and sorority membership. This study also only researched heterosexual relationships, which makes me wonder if there is any correlation not covered in this study between homosexual relationships and fraternity membership. 

This source, again, covers a topic that was not covered in any of my other sources, which leads me to a broader understanding of my question. So far, I can conclude from my three sources that greek life may inhibit academic success and help social abilities, have no effect on cultural sensitivity, and have no correlation between hypermasculinity and sexual aggression. So far, the sources I have chosen have helped disprove most of my preconceived notions about fraternity life and helped form a more informed opinion on them. 

I still have questions on drug use in fraternities and sororities and if the two a correlated. I also have more questions to be discovered or topics that I have yet to think about until I may find them in my future research.