My parents actually encouraged me to go Greek. But that is probably because I didnt my freshman year and ended up having a really really bad year and being miserable in college. So to my parents it was a blessing to get me involved in something. I think most of my problem my freshman year was taht I was definitely not adjusting well because the only people I met just wanted a constant party. I was never like that in high school and I was always very involved. I guess i went into a depression because I basically had NOTHING to do. That brought my grades down and made me withdraw from many people that I had always been close to. I know I am one of the few exceptions to the rule that collge kids try to follow about not beinng to involved their first year in school. I feel though that it has made a 100% positive change on things in my life. I now have an opportunity that not many other college kids have and I am able to learn many things that are going to be helpful to me in the future. I know that I will be a much better teacher in the future because of the leadership and philantrophy skills I have picked op over the year I have been involved in my GLO.
I know some of the girls that pledged in our spring class didnt tell their parents they went greek until after they were initated. These parents then had to accept the fact that their children had done this. I think this should be used in extreme cases though. so if you were super involved in high school I greatly encourage you to go Greek or else find something else on campus that interewsts you. But going Greek is only something will truly be able to describe once they have joined because it is a beautiful thing. I think your parents will be able to appreciate your involvement especvailly if you have really really good grades! If anything I have to say about GLO's it is that I became less of a partier after I joined and I feel that is because I had a little better self-esteem because I was a member of a group that will accept my differences. Someitmes the people that oyu meet arent at all like this. And without joining a GLO you might have a better opportunity to fail into the wrong crowd.
I think a good idea would be to check out the sororities at your schools national headquarters website and show them to your parents. Maybe they need to see what these organizations are all about! Or there are also 800 numbers as Delt Alum mentioned.
I would keep in mind though that it is your money, and your college experience. What ever you feel like you need to do I would do. Despite what my parents would have said I would never had not gone Greek. It truly has been the greatest experience in my life.
Keep us all posted on what goes on!
