One quote from the article:
Most of them are awash in alcohol. And most if not all of them are bereft of any meaningful adult supervision.” As for the risk-management policies themselves: “They are primarily designed to take the nationals’ fingerprints off the injury and deaths, and I don’t believe that they offer any meaningful provisions.” The fraternity system, he argues, is “the largest industry in this country directly involved in the provision of alcohol to underage people.” The crisis-management plans reveal that in “the foreseeable future” there may be “the death or serious injury” of a healthy young person at a fraternity function.
I read that long, and worth the time, article. The author makes a strong case that the fraternity system is deeply flawed. She also hits pretty hard on much of the problem being alcohol. Since college students can’t drink on campus at school sponsored events (most students are under 21), they will go off campus to the parties at the frat houses. The drinking age being 21, and the whole cascade of other factors the author lists, cause the crazy fraternity situation.
The drinking age should be lowered to 18. Alcohol should be deglamorized. It should be more common and less mysterious and romantic.
It is an insane public policy that will require the Deuce to register for the draft when he turns 18, but will not allow him to legally buy a beer.
It is also insane, I’m looking at you feminists, that the Deuce has to register for the draft but the Ace gets to skate on that requirement.
Go read the whole thing: The Dark Power of Fraternities – The Atlantic.