That's it though, you used Pledge Mom for your NM educator. We can't even do that. It brings up the idea of Mom vs children. This isn't new. Your seeing it more wide spread because of social media, not because we call pledges NMs. It was there all along. That is the argument. Sorority women have wanted to call pledges/NMs cutesy names forever.

I would have to agree with 33girl. I don't think "baby" was as widespread, regardless of social media blowing up. My chapter just started using this term a year or two ago, but AST came out with their own statement about it recently, stopping my chapter (and many others) from using it.

I also know 2 Chi Omegas, biological sisters, from 2 different chapters. They always post or share pictures from their alma maters. Only recently did the word "baby" start showing up in those pics.

It's not as though Facebook was just created yesterday. I started using it in.. 2004? I met and became Facebook friends with many ASTs from other chapters in the area. They would post bid day pics, none of which displayed the word "baby." Some of them have even shared their pain regarding the use of "baby" among their chapters within the last year. They were thrilled when the sorority attempted to put an end to it.

This is why we have an entire thread about it, with many alumnae upset/confused about why their chapters (or other chapters of their sorority) are using the term.

I stand corrected. I really don't know, then, why "baby" wasn't a thing when I was a collegian. We definitely DID use the pledge mom/pledge dad terminology.

There is nothing new under the sun. Trends come and go. Your chapter didn't use this, but others did, and over time it has spread until it hit a tipping point. Also, just because banners on bid day didn't say Babies on them doesn't mean that pledges/NM weren't called that. I had never seen a banner for bid day at all until recently. That is a recent trend except on the larger campuses. Since "Baby insert mascot/symbol" is at a tipping point, it would make total sense that you would suddenly see banners at every chapter welcoming them. As with all trends, this too will play out and go away when people get tired of the cheesiness of calling people babies.

This is my point. That it has spread. I thought that you were saying that it's always been a problem to the extent it is now, but we've only now realized it because of social media. But maybe you weren't? I don't know.

All I'm saying is, I've noticed it blow up and spread to other campuses where it was never used before.