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Specifically the membership-based fraternal private societies, like the ones you mentioned? They were started at the same period of American history, and I only
by legerdemain 4y ago
Specifically the membership-based fraternal private societies, like the ones you mentioned? They were started at the same period of American history, and I only know of one exception that doesn't have "faith in a higher power" as a tenet of good citizenship. Heck, even the Jaycees, who explicitly target younger people.
The exception is the Rotary Society. The average Rotarian is male, white, and 58 years old.
- tomhoward 4y agoRotary has been open to women since 1989, and it welcomes anyone who fits the membership requirements - "adult persons who demonstrate good character, integrity, and leadership; possess good reputation within their business, profession, occupation, and/or community". I was actively involved in Rotary in the 90s/00s via a Rotaract Club (for 18-30yos), and even then, there were many women, many non-white members, and plenty of people under 50 in the Rotary clubs I visited. If some clubs/areas are still dominated by white, older males, it is mostly due to the difficulty in attracting any new members into volunteer organisations these days (mostly as it's unfashionable and people have other things to do), not due to any exclusionist policies.