I. Positive Aspects & Benefits:
* Socialization and Development: Studies exploring the development of social skills, leadership abilities, and networking opportunities provided by Greek life. This often focuses on specific programs and initiatives within organizations. Look for keywords like "leadership development," "social skills training," "networking," "mentorship."
* Academic Achievement: Research on the correlation between Greek membership and GPA, graduation rates, and academic involvement. This area is often debated, with some studies showing positive correlations and others showing negative ones or no correlation, depending on factors like chapter characteristics and selection processes. Keywords: "GPA," "graduation rates," "academic performance," "academic support."
* Philanthropy and Community Service: Analysis of the charitable contributions and community engagement of fraternities and sororities. Look for data on volunteer hours, fundraising amounts, and the impact of their service projects. Keywords: "philanthropy," "community service," "volunteerism," "social responsibility."
* Alumni Network and Career Advancement: Examination of the long-term benefits of Greek life membership on career paths and professional networks. This often involves surveying alumni and tracking career success. Keywords: "alumni network," "career advancement," "professional development," "networking."
II. Negative Aspects & Criticisms:
* Hazing and Risk Management: Extensive literature exists on hazing, including its prevalence, forms, psychological effects, and efforts to prevent it. Research also examines alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and other risky behaviors within Greek organizations. Keywords: "hazing," "alcohol abuse," "risk management," "sexual assault," "substance abuse," "bullying."
* Social Inequality and Elitism: Studies analyzing the role of Greek life in perpetuating social inequalities, including issues of race, class, and gender. This may involve examining membership demographics, social exclusion, and the financial burden of membership. Keywords: "social inequality," "elitism," "diversity," "inclusion," "equity," "access."
* Academic Pressure and Time Commitment: Research on the potential negative impact of Greek life on academic performance due to time commitments, social pressures, and extracurricular activities. Keywords: "time commitment," "academic pressure," "stress," "burnout."
* Mental Health: Growing body of research examining the mental health of fraternity and sorority members, exploring potential links between Greek life and stress, anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Keywords: "mental health," "stress," "anxiety," "depression," "body image," "well-being."
III. Methodological Considerations:
When reviewing literature, consider the methodology employed in each study. Were the studies quantitative (using statistical data) or qualitative (using interviews, observations)? What was the sample size and how representative was it of the broader Greek life population? Was there a potential for bias?
IV. Finding Relevant Literature:
To conduct a thorough review, use keywords mentioned above in databases like:
* Google Scholar: A free search engine for scholarly literature.
* PubMed: For studies related to health and mental health aspects.
* ERIC (Education Resources Information Center): For research on the educational impacts of Greek life.
* JSTOR: A digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources.
* ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: For doctoral dissertations and master's theses on the topic.
Remember to specify your research question before you begin your literature review. This will help you focus your search and identify the most relevant studies. For example, instead of "fraternity and sorority review," you might focus on "the impact of hazing on the mental health of fraternity members" or "the relationship between Greek life membership and academic performance among female students."