Where Do Men Fit In?

It's widely recognized that a boy is socialized to become strong, tough, unemotional. As he grows up, he often views women as weak, submissive sex objects, and even if he genuinely cares for someone, he is influenced to keep his feelings to himself ostensibly so that he can be "one of the guys" who take pleasure in exaggerating sexual exploits. So there arises a conflict between the macho image he thinks he must maintain to compete with, and be accepted by, his male peers, and his genuine feelings of love, respect and courtesy for the women dear to him, such as his mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, girlfriend. Suddenly on his own, surrounded by other unchaperoned men and women, he faces an "anything goes" sexual culture where it's easy to forget that women, often struggling with how to say no without hurting the other person's feelings, should be treated with respect, even when they are perceived not to "deserve" it.

But when he is introduced to Sigma Nu, he is reminded that this fraternity is his family away from home. For many, it will only reinforce those strong values already taught by parents; moreover, for the rising number today who come from dysfunctional families, it can, if one lets it, prove that family values of Love, Honor and Truth are constants that can be relied on as beacons on stormy seas. One burdened by emotional problems can find in the tenets of the Sigma Nu Creed a source of vision, strength and stability. Whenever we find one of our brothers tugging at his conscience in the face of temptation to go along with the unprincipled crowd, we reach out, give support, and, if needed, help him seek counseling. If he needs correcting,we do it in a determined voice tempered by caring.