Fraternity/Sororities

Depends on the child. If it was my daughter then yes I would.. I think it is an important part of that whole experience. I guess it would depend on the school to...

Elizabeth is a discussion leader for arizonamoms she writes about everything from her needing mommy advice to crazy and silly stuff that happens. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and 3 children.

I'd encourage my son to do whatever he wants to do.....I want him to have the full college experience, since I never had that(I never lived on campus and I went to ASU).....I think fraternities can give you lifelong contacts to network with. If he's not into it when he's at that age, I won't push it. As long as he goes to college, I'll be happy.

Personally I would not want my kids to have to buy their friends. I think that is what fraternities and sororities are about, I had my experience with them. Yes, they say that they are all about bonding and sisterhood/brotherhood. I met alot of my friends whom I still keep in contact with and visit regularly at events, classes, the gym. But it all depends on the individual, I hope I didn't step on any ones toes with this comment!!

I would have to say that I would not encourage it. There were some bad incidents in a couple of frat houses when I was in college (a local teen was raped, an underage brother drank himself to death, a menengitis scare with a promiscuous "little sister" and the like). Also, I did have friends in the sorority system, and I didn't see the value. It was unbelieveably expensive. $2000/yr in the 1990s, they had an installment plan for poorer sisters, but they realy didn't get a whole lot for their money. They mainly had to go to meetings and got the right to buy expensive T-shirts and sweatshirts with their letters on them. It's true that there is a networking component to it, but I get the same thing just mentioning the name of the college I went to.

I was a member of APhiO, the national service fraternity. That was relatively inexpensive, but there was a hierarchy of people who did more service than others. So sometimes I got attitude if I hadn't been involved with a project in a month. But you know what, I didn't major in APhiO, and never felt bad about it at all

I was in a sorority in college and loved it. Yes, it is expensive, but the whole experience was well worth it. You will always have the "promiscuous little sister" and those who make dumb choices like drinking too much.... but that is not what sororities are about. It is a way to have a home away from home (not to mention, friends for life). I would let my child choose what she wants to do, and if she did choose to rush I would definitely support her.

I was in a sorority and to this day it still a gift. I have moved across the country and found an instant place to connect with people and make new friends. Our sorority (and I have been out of college MANY years :), does a lot of work with literacy and so, in addition to the social aspect, we contribute a lot to the community. That being said, I would still let my children make their own decisions, but I certainly won't oppose it.

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.