Frat Parties in BtVS

[Cast No Shadow]

After reading MarkWatches review of Reptile Boy (http://markwatches.net/reviews/2012/01/mark-watches-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-s02e05-reptile-boy/)

(https://www.buffy-boards.com/showthread.php?p=1015712#post1015712 our thread re: the reviews)

I was compelled to ask: other than the obvious supernatural plot, is the way frat parties are depicted what really happens?

As some of you know, I'm from the UK, and therefore don't know much about American party culture (I assume it's somewhat similar to ours in the UK) but have any of you been to a frat (or sorority) party?

Is their interpretation of the pledges accurate? Because that seems a little cruel.

A frat party also takes place in "Where the Wild Things Are" - which I think depicts the party as alcohol fuelled with lashings of sex and drugs (more than a lashing of sex for Buffy and Riley 😛).

Is this an overexaggeration?

 

[zobothehobo]

Well for the couple frat parties I've been to... it's a SLIGHT exaggeration. Frat parties are indeed fueled by booze and sex. And they are horrible places. But they're also fueled by dancing... which on second thought, is also sex... because the dancing is really just grinding. So yeah. Booze and sex. Pretty much... that's it.

As far as pledges... I don't really know, but it is my understanding that every frat and every branch does things slightly differently. The pledge rituals are traditions passed down and a couple variations depending on the bunch of pledges (or so I have gathered). So some of them could be that cruel and humiliating as depicted in TV and movies, some might be more tame. And from what I've heard, some frats don't even really do them anymore. So I guess it depends on the frat and the branch.

 

[Gum Gnome33]

Like Z said, in some cases it's fairly accurate. Some frat parties basically unfold exactly like that, (I mean everything going on above the basement); the only real exaggeration there was the literal demon. I would never want to go alone, or with someone I couldn't rely on, (like Cordy at the time). And you never, ever take a drink you didn't make yourself, and no punch!!
Others can be really tame like the parties thrown by Riley's frat, (sex curse notwithstanding!)

 

[sisterofmercy]

Sounds a bit like Skins parties/parties at halls over here.

 

[kittenpoker]

First of all, I keep seeing you guys talk about this reviewer but I've yet to read any of his reviews. I like that this was the fist one I read, as I love this ep. And his review was awesome!!!!! And he wants to hug willow. don't we all! 🙂 Ok, now to the question....

I don't have a wide experience with frat parties but I do have a somewhat limited experience. That is to say I dated a frat guy who was a member of one particular frat for a few months so I know about that. He went to a big school....I suppose the parties were typical but I can't really say. And yes, they were filled with music, alcohol, drugs and sex... I think maybe my personal experience is different because I was there with my boyfriend so I wasn't like navigating the jungle the way I might have been if I had gone alone or with girlfriends..... also, I don't think my bf was the typical frat guy. I mean he was actually a really nice sensitive guy who's motivation to join the frat was to have a sense of brotherhood (as he grew up an only child). But anyway, that's my experience for what it's worth.

 

[brinkster130]

While every frat parties are different, I don't think it was an overexaggeration or misrepresentation. Many frat parties are fueled by booze and the possibilities of hookups just like we saw in BTVS. While most Frats and Sororities probably don't take part in hazing their pledges in such cruel ways, it does still happen. It's not uncommon to hear a news story about hazing that went to far and someone ended up dead or in the hospital. That being said, not all frats and sororities are that way. Many of them are all about brother/sisterhood and wouldn't tolerate that type of behavior.

 

[BuffyElevated]

It really depends on the fraternity... I've been to a lot of parties like the ones shown on the show, where everything was completely wild and out of control, but I've also been to ones where everyone was chilling and playing games, having a good time.