When I tell people that I am in a sorority I get mixed reactions. Some people think it is interesting or really cool that I am involved at college. On the other hand most people immediately think of negative stereotypes that the word "sorority" brings. People begin to assume things about me as a person based on these stereotypes and in reality if they actually knew me at all, they would know those stereotypes are just stereotypes. Movies, television, and the media in general depicts one image of sororities or Greek life in general, and they are all negative images. There are many stereotypes against sororities, but here are a few that are common that are completely wrong.
1. "All sorority girls party a lot"
This stereotype is the most common one shown in movies. Every movie that shows a sorority house shows them partying and getting drunk. For example, the new movie Vacation shows a mom visiting her old sorority house and they show up in the middle of the day and the whole house is outside having a party. Does this actually happen? No. Being a party girl is not a priority or a requirement for joining a sorority. Just because I tell you I am in a sorority does not mean I drink or get drunk every weekend at the frat house. I am very proud of being in a sorority and we do such great things for the community and university its saddening to see people assume the worst about us because of how movies portray sororities. Do you believe everything in the media is true?
2. "Sororities haze new members"
No, we will not haze you. If you attend Shawnee State University, we actually have a zero tolerance policy for hazing and it is not allowed at all. Many sororities have national headquarters who have strict rules on hazing and regulations. Even without the rules, we respect and love our sisters and wouldn't want to haze anyway. We wont make you swallow a goldfish or force you into anything. If you want to haze, do not join a sorority.
3. "You pay for your friends"
Yes, joining a sorority is not free but that does not mean we pay for our friends. We have dues per semester or academic year, but this money is not to gain friends--it helps go towards events, philanthropies, educational foundations, t shirts, and more. The money we spend is used for a greater cause and purpose. Have you ever gone to an event and paid money to attend? Did you think that money was to gain friends? No, you used it for the event and to enjoy it by having a good time. The same goes for sororities.
4. "Sorority girls are rich"
Just because we are in a sorority does not mean we are rich. Most girls in a sorority work extra hours to pay dues or participate in fundraisers to help lower the cost. Every girl works hard to be where they are and nothing is handed to them. We are college students too who pay for books, tuition, housing, food, and everything else. We are just like everyone else in college, and most definitely not rich.
5. "Sorority girls are dumb"
The girls I know who are in sororities are the farthest from being dumb. If anything they are smart, driven, leaders, motivated, determined, and the list could go on and on. Most sororities have a GPA minimum requirement to join the organization and there are consequences for sisters who fail to meet the requirement during the school year. We have study hours to complete every other week in the library and at home.
(Fun fact: Greek life organizations typically have the highest GPA on campus.)
6. "All girls in sororities are girly girls"
Yes, there might be a few "girly girls" who are in a sorority, but not every girl is. One of the many great things about being in a sorority is the amount of diversity within the organization. Everyone is different with different personalities, backgrounds, and interests. Labeling us all as "girly girls" is just not right. Each individual sister is unique in their own way.
7. "Sorority girls only date frat guys"
There is no rule or obligation for a sorority girl to date a guy in a fraternity. Multiple sisters within the sorority are in long relationships from high school, and who are engaged or married to non Greeks.Yes, girls in sororities can date men in fraternities and there is nothing wrong with that but saying we only date "frat guys" is a misconceptions.
Being in a sorority should not be viewed as a negative thing. When I tell you that I am in a sorority do not automatically assume that I party a lot, do not care about academics, and date only frat guys. Don't believe what you see in the media about Greek life.
