The Fundamentals of Sex

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The desire to be part of group can stop fraternity members from calling out unacceptable behaviour.

Men should take responsibility for their own behaviour, particularly if that behaviour is harmful.

Those with higher status in a fraternity should act as a positive role model for those below them.

Recent headlines about behaviour within college fraternities have reignited a familiar debate about frat culture. Repeated incidents of misogyny, harassment, and sexual misconduct suggest that fraternities can foster unhealthy and, at times, deeply harmful group norms.

At their best, fraternities have the potential to model positive masculinity by creating communities where young men support, encourage, and challenge one another to be their best selves (Matthews, 2022). However, at their worst, loyalty to the group can be seen as more important than responsibility to others, particularly women. This creates a culture where problematic behaviour, including sexual misconduct, is too often excused, minimised, or even encouraged (McCready, Schutts & McCreary, 2022).

Change requires action at every level, from how men reflect on their own behaviour to how friends, fraternities, colleges, and wider communities respond when boundaries are crossed. Here are 5 places to start:

1. Men Must Take Responsibility for Their Own Behaviour

Those who engage in sexual misconduct are responsible for their actions and should be held accountable for the choices they make. However, this alone is not enough. We must also examine the attitudes, behaviours, and social norms that make such misconduct possible, by creating a culture where such behaviour is deemed to be acceptable.

This requires men to honestly reflect on their own beliefs and behaviour. Do they view women as equal human beings with their own wants, boundaries, and autonomy or do they see them primarily as potential sexual partners, conquests, or sources of........

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