Why doesn't the UK have fraternities?

Answer 1

Although they are not popular like in the United States and Canada, univerisities and colleges in the United Kingdom do indeed have fraternities. A notable fraternity chapter in the UK is the chapter of Zeta Psi who have made Oxford University their home. The most probable reasoning for the unpopularity of "Greek life" in the UK is that students do not share the same unit cohesion to other members of their respected post-secondary institutions as seen in the United States and Canada. Many people in the US and Canada often reside at, or close to, their institution, which is uncommon in the UK. An example of how this works is quite similar to boarding schools in the UK. The fact that Americans and Canadians are essentially emmersed in their university for at least four years (if successful) breeds the possibility for a lot of unit cohesion from various students in the form of clubs. Hence, the popularity of fraternities. As well, although going on to post-secondary education is relatively common of all Canadians, (I don't want to speak on behalf of Americans, due to the fact I'm Canadian, and haven't researched the commonality of secondary schoo grads going to post secondary institutions) there is still a high level of status to going to university, which many are proud of. Many people in Canada are very proud of being able to say "I go to Queen's" or "I go to McGill" and having been in a fraternity is just another way of showing that you're proud to have gone to university, and essentially made the most of it.