Sororities are often perceived as a negative organization, or an organization that is formed on superficial beliefs. The way that movies and social media portray sororities as well as other Greek organizations is why there is usually a negative connotation with the word sorority. After I started going to college and saw what sorority life was actually like, I realized you cannot always believe what you see or hear on television. Sororities were formed hundreds of years ago to get collegiate women together to discuss education, politics, as well as their personal life. Sororities focus on education, developing women, as well as giving back to the community. Below I clarified some stereotypes against sorority women.

Party Girls:

Movies and television shows always portray sorority girls to be avid party goers who get drunk and reckless. Although sorority girls may go to parties, they also spend hours of their time dedicated to volunteering, studying and spending time with their sisters.

Wealthy:

Sorority girls are always thought to come from wealthy households where their parents pay for everything. In my own personal experience, I pay my dues with money I earned from working part-time jobs. A majority of girls have part-time or even full time jobs to pay their dues and living expenses.

Dumb:

Every sorority chapter has a set GPA requirement for members. Most chapters expect at least a 2.5 or higher. Some chapters set higher requirements because they have high expectations for members, and want their members to strive academically. I always hear the “sorority girls are dumb” stereotype and I love to bring up that last fall my sorority had the highest average GPA out of all sororities, with 3.5 being the average.

Hazing:

Most people associate hazing with Greek organizations, however hazing is against the law, as well as against code of conduct for all Panhellenic sororities. Chapters promote no hazing, and if a chapter were caught hazing they would be fined and possibly kicked off campus. At some universities like the University of South Florida, there are anti-hazing efforts, as well as an online course you have to go through before becoming an official member of a Greek organization.

Appearance Obsessed:

Movies always portray sorority girls as girls who only care about their looks and appearance versus their education. Sororities do not choose their members based on looks, nor do they consider that when picking out potential new members. Members come from all different backgrounds, making each chapter diverse.

Paying For Your Friends:

This is a saying I always hear in regards to Greek life. I always hear people say I pay for my friends because I pay monthly dues. Dues goes toward events that I attend, T-shirts, and socials that occur every semester. If you think about it, you probably spend that much money a semester going out to eat, getting new shirts or going out with your friends on the weekends. If I “paid for my friends,” I sure did not pay enough, there is no price to the friendships I have made or the endless opportunities that I have because I am a part of my sorority.