What's the point of Houses?

[bibphile]

No: HPFGUIDX 75669

greatlit2003:
>I understand that the students need to be placed in groups for the 
sake of organization, but why does that organization (i.e. Sorting) 
depend on their personality? Why can't the Hat just randomly select 
students for each House? A lot of bad will seems to crop up at 
Hogwarts in large part to the House system. Any thoughts?
> 


Mandy
> It's pure British tradition and a very old fashioned one that 
still exists at many schools today.  Being British and having went 
through a girls school that has Houses, I can explain that its used 
to create loyalty, to encourage strong fraternity/sorority, promote 
competition.  As well as stimulating segregation and the need to 
socialize 'only' with ones peers.  
> 

me(bibphile)
Yes, but I think greatlit's question was "why are they sorted by 
personality?".  

Short answer:  Because that's what the founders did.  It sounds like 
originally the houses didn't have classes together.  Each founder 
thought his or her own house.  It seems like it was basically four 
schools in one building.

I agree that the current sorting system does more harm that good.  
The "do anything to win" atmosphere that we see in Slytherin house 
would encourage cheating (at quidditch and in life) even in the 
students that would be uncomfortable with it.  By the same token, 
the atmosphere in Gryffindorhouse would encourage reckless and rash 
behavior.  

If they were sorted randomly, it wouldn't be a problem.

I do think the houses will be abolished eventually though.  I have 
nothing to base that on though except the Sorting Hat thinking 
sorting was a bad idea.

bibphile