Quote:
Originally Posted by sasquatch
I was answering in the context of the original question. I wasn't saying it's better or worse, just that people (greek or non greek) view Greek life entirely different in the South for that reason. Most people here in the South who have little to no knowledge of Greek life don't view members of fraternities and sororities as drunken slobs, but as huge SUV driving, trust fund having rich kids. I'm not saying it's always true and I'm not saying it makes it better, I'm just saying that in the minds of non-Greeks that's how it's viewed. Therefore it's more respected by the community as a whole, because these kids are viewed (and are) as the future of the community (the lawyers-turned-judges, local politicians, doctors, mayors). I was answering the question in regards to why it is viewed in an entirely different light for the most part, by the communities as a whole. Hope that clears some things up.
|
I think that the issue a lot of people have with that concept boils down to this: that if you don't have a trust fund or a family name, you're not going to get anywhere in the community.
I mean, what's the point of wasting money going to college (rather than a business school) if you're going to end up being president of the bank anyway?
Being from a small town, I do understand where you're coming from - if you say your last name (or in your case, Greek affiliation) is this or that, it immediately opens doors. You either find that nice and comforting and traditional, or you find it stifling and confining and kind of sickening.
I mean, I certainly didn't join my sorority to get ahead in my career - especially considering (at least when I pledged) the majority of the alumnae are teachers. I would rather stab my eyes out with a flaming stick than be a teacher. If someone HAD joined my chapter because she wanted to "network" among the teachers in the state, well, we'd have kind of looked at her funny and thought she was pretty shallow. People here tend to join a Greek group because they like the other members, not because it will help them "get ahead" in life.
If the main point of joining this fraternity or that is to further your social life and career, are you really close friends, or is it more like in Heathers "our job is being popular"? I'm not being rude, I'm honestly asking. I know guys and girls are different in the way they interact socially, but the whole thing is just 180 degrees from what I experienced.