What is the purpose of a fraternity?
The idea of “the modern-day Fraternity” has deep roots in history dating back for centuries. It is important to keep in mind that the “Animal House” stereotype did not exist until almost 200 years after the founding of the first American Fraternal Secret Society. Most of the common fraternities of today were founded during the period from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. Fraternities represented a venue by which a gentleman scholar could discuss his political views, dreams, values, interests, and talents with other gentlemen of similar stature. Similar to the present day “Dead Poet’s Society,” the fraternity represented a means of protection of intellectual freedom, as well as a place of worship. The fraternity thus bonds together gentlemen as if they were true blood brothers, united as a family under one order. The benefits of joining a fraternity today are overwhelming when compared to the early days in fraternal history. Today the fraternity offers gentlemen the o