“Do you think banning fraternities within universities should be done in order to deter its culture of violence, even if it would mean disregarding one’s freedom of association?”

“While I don’t believe that fraternities should be outright banned within universities, I do think that they should be regulated or even limited by a form of authority free from bias. Never mind that some say this defeats the purpose of having something like this in the first place. Fraternities can become a brotherhood, or even a second family. However, if we want to cultivate this positive essence and do away with the negative stereotypes, some form of control needs to be established. I think the recent incidences of hazing and such should serve as proof that our laws, and their enforcement, are not enough yet. That being said, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide to join one.”

Jiggy de Asis

1 AB PSY

“I believe that fraternities can still be permitted as long as the current system of violence and hazing in fraternities is abolished.  However, many fraternities’ activities are underground and operate without the university’s knowledge.  To resolve this, university authorities can develop a system to monitor fraternities and pinpoint violent activities. After all, initiation rites are part of fraternities’ culture and they should not be completely banned.  As a result, only violent initiations and violent fraternities should be banned while the peaceful ones can function normally. This can be done in order to preserve one’s freedom of association and restore the true meaning of a fraternity—a brotherhood that supports one another.”

Mikaela Magpayo

1 BS HS

“In my opinion, fraternities should not be banned within universities. If your goal is to deter its culture of violence, then you can’t just ban fraternities. Rather, the authorities and the staff of the universities should properly educate their student leaders regarding leadership, and the values that should be incorporated within organizations and fraternities. An initiation is a vital part of a fraternity, but the university can be more of a help by educating them how these actions could actually affect their applicants.

Second, the university should focus more on monitoring and being involved in these fraternities while at the same time maintaining the freedom that they wanted [sic]. There’s a clear line between being caring and being over-the-line or threatening their privacy. And since fraternities are also part of the heart and soul of the university, they should not consider removing it, rather, they should help on bringing it back to life, helping it endure the criticisms and judgements that everyone is throwing at it.”

AJ Canlas

3 AB PSY

“I don’t think [fraternities] should be banned. I have friends who are in fraternities, and it’s a bit admirable how much love they have for their brothers. But I question that love sometimes—it seems as if it’s just because they invested so much, as if they owe themselves to have this dedication because they’ve sacrificed so much for it. Also, I guess they should re-evaluate their procedures. I feel like hazing, especially when it involves physical and mental harm, is unhealthy no matter the cause.”

Margaret Quimpo

3 AB COM

“I’m not for the outright banning of fraternities within universities since it’s here that freedom of association is exercised. Moreover, banning these may possibly aggravate this culture, since many would still persist in clandestine ways. However, considering our context, I think what needs to be fixed is the regulation of these fraternities. There should be an agreement between the university (since the people involved are, more or less, still students bounded by university rules and regulations) and these fraternities. Additionally, in a sociocultural level, perhaps there is a need to address future institutions like law and medical schools, and business companies, about the reputation of these fraternities. If these institutions know that the fraternity has [a] questionable reputation, i.e. a more prominent culture of violence, this may discourage members from taking the risk; the important thing to know is which ones are really worth the prestige and the fellowship, without compromising personal integrity.”

Dorothy Claire Parungao

3 BS CH-MSE

“I believe that fraternities should be banned within universities, especially with all the recent and past cases that has [sic] shown how the culture of violence has been proliferated and abused by some, if not most, of these fraternities. Furthermore, the freedom of association is not limited [or] restricted to such organizations, and therefore I believe it  should not be a major issue. Although, I recognize that this is a right of every individual and should be taken into account either way, and so, if not banned, fraternities should be strictly and heavily regulated in such a way that acts of violence committed in the name of this so-called ‘brotherhood’ is put to an end.”

Lorenzo Pastor

3 AB COM

“[Yes, I agree] because if it’s about ‘freedom of association,’ there are other ways to exercise that. Like for example, in Ateneo, we don’t really have any ‘frats,’ but people still have circles of people they can count on or be friends with.”

Nicole Dominique Quiambao

4 AB COM

“Personally, I think a stricter implementation of the Anti-Hazing Law and its corresponding penalties should be implemented; work with the existing fraternities to encourage their members and officers to change their practices with regard to their recruitment process. If these measures will still prove to be ineffective, then a ban of such organizations should be considered.”

Antonio Miguel Lagura

3 AB EC

“Often, getting into a frat involves violent rituals, which are termed as hazing. If we take this as a fact, as backed by real events as well, then we can accordingly label fraternities as violent. Therefore, I think that banning of such hosts to violence will deter the culture of violence. However, because fraternities are unrecognized, institutions must come up with better methods in preventing the establishment of fraternities

Banning fraternities within universities does not necessarily disregard one’s freedom of association, because there are other means to achieve this. Individuals should instead opt to join organizations that are within recognized organization that adhere to the rules of the constitution.”

Danica Viovicente

3 AB MEC

“[I] don’t think banning fraternities will help, [to be honest], kasi alam ko people will do anything to be involved or included in a certain kind of group that would promote a certain kind of ideology that counters the reigning institutions. Violence tends to be part of a fraternity’s application kasi they want to find out how far a person would go to support their group. In a way din naman, kahit mga organizations mismo, nagkakaroon ng certain kind of sacrifice para makita ng officers kung hanggang saan ‘yung kayang gawin ng isang tao para sa kanila.

Violence, I think, is a byproduct of being part of a community or being associated with a group. I agree na there are a lot of victims from the violence brought by applying to a fraternity, and it is bad. The media just sensationalizes it. I just do not agree with the amount of violence a person has to go through to be part of a fraternity. Banning fraternities all together, I don’t agree [with it].”

Kim Bernardino

2 AB COM

“I believe that disregarding one’s freedom of association is violent in nature and may only contribute to newer and more violent groups. There are fraternities that do not allow violence in their activities.”

Karl Andrei Aparece

3 AB-MA POS

“Maybe for now the answer is to look into or investigate fraternities who are known to be violent, then take legal action from there given the assurance that no other fraternity alumni [or] member is involved with handling the case to avoid bias or corruption.”

Rafa Habana

3 AB POS