Within pop culture and throughout college campuses, fraternities and sororities are often portrayed as the epitome of manhood and womanhood, stressing traditions of brotherhood and sisterhood. While these traditions define what make these organizations great, it’s important to stay up to date with the world around us, especially when it comes to issues of gender.
Times are changing, definitions and tolerances are expanding and the freedom of gender expression is now a very real part of college life. What better way to learn more and apply more to our lives in the Greek system than through taking one of the many Women and Gender Studies (WGS) classes offered at OU?
Although fall of 2013 was my first semester at OU, I already appreciate the benefits of taking a WGS course. The experience came unexpectedly. I needed an English credit and Expository Writing was the most attractive option. When scrolling through the options for subjects, the course Transcending Gender taught by Professor Eric Bosse stood out and sparked my curiosity. I knew the writing prompts would be interesting, to say the least. My decision to join the Greek community came later and I had no idea these two choices would affect each other as I learned more about each.
As I poured myself into all the traditions, clichés, and fun of my sorority, I found myself faced with the stereotypes and expectations I'd always known would come with Greek life. However, being in the Transcending Gender class gave me a new lens with which to view everything. I discovered that some traditions could be considered outdated in terms of feminist values. I also noticed that certain rules prevented more open and unique gender expression, and certain expectations of both fraternities and sororities could be harmful toward women.
What I observed, at first, was simple but the ability to take a new perspective on gender in relation to social structures social structures and apply that to my experiences in Greek life developed into a vital tool for making personal changes. However, I realized that real understanding and progress would only result from a larger number of people being exposed to new persepctives on gender.
When asked about the benefits of taking WGS classes, especially for those involved in Greek life, Professor Bosse stated that, “WGS classes could prove invaluable to students in the Greek system, since these classes tend to cast a critical eye on the traditions and conventions our society hands down to us, especially as those traditions and conventions relate to gender, power and privilege. If a few people in sororities and fraternities were to take the perspectives and lessons from gender studies classes and apply them within the Greek system, there's potential for some powerful and empowering change there.”
Now, I see the world differently and I see my chapter, and other Greek chapters, differently. I see their value as a community along with their current structural flaws, and, most importantly, their potential. Taking more WGS courses would benefit us, as individuals, by teaching us more about ourselves and others. What better way to help the organizations you love than by being informed and understanding and respectful toward every person willing to love and be a part of them.
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