“Step up and Do It”: Fraternity and Sorority Members’ Beliefs About Citizenship

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to investigate fraternity and sorority members’ beliefs about citizenship and how students’ involvement in fraternities and sororities contributed to shaping their views on citizenship. Through focus groups and individual interviews with fraternity and sorority members at one private, research university in the Midwest, this study revealed students’ opinions on how their involvement in fraternities and sororities raised their awareness about social concerns, shaped their values, and modeled the necessity to take action in their community. Following a discussion of these findings, the authors propose suggestions for student affairs administrators to develop the role fraternities and sororities must play in fostering members' citizenship development.