Frat parties

I am trying to make my posts more intentional and actually talk about something other than ranting about my life. I was thinking a lot about the greek system last year when I was at Colorado College, and I developed some frustrations with how the greek system is set up to encourage rape culture. At CC there were 3 fraternities and 3 sororities. Each frat/srat had a house, but only the fraternities were allowed to a) live in their house and b) throw parties with alcohol in the house. This creates an uneven power dynamic from the beginning. The fraternity brothers are living in their house, so when they throw parties, it is much easier to take advantage of a girl. The bedroom is only a few feet away from the dance floor, and with so much loud noise outside the room, nobody would really know if the girl was being taken advantage of. If a frat brother decided to do something to someone, their brothers most likely would not check in on them in the room, and they have an added cushioned of a party going on right outside the door. The fraternity members can also control what is being put one the drinks, and how much is being served. This gives them an influence over how drunk people are getting, and allows them to possibly put something in someone's drink. By having the party take place in the frat house, the brothers are also able to have a say in who comes inside. They stand there at the door, and are the gatekeepers. This sears the tone for the brothers being in control from the moment party goers set foot in the house. I feel like if sororities were able to throw parties, they would be more in control, and it would allow women to have more power in an situation where they could potentially be preyed upon.

Most frat parties I have been to, I have had a pretty good experience with the members of the frat. Most are responsible when they host, and do not make inappropriate comments, or try to take advantage of people. However, that was at Colorado College, one of the most liberal hippie and socially conscious schools in the country. And there were still several rapes in the frats last year. So I can only imagine what a frat party would be like in a less socially aware college. I of course am not trying to make generalizations or comments on the character of men who are in fraternities. But I do think frat culture is sexually aggressive and poses a threat for women attending. I would like to see some changes in policies so we can start to even the playing field a bit.