Sorority PNMs at my school are urged to keep in touch with their parents throughout formal recruitment. They also used to be able to defer their bids for a few days, so they could talk things over with their parents before accepting if they wished.
When I called my parents to let them know that I was rushing, that's when I found out my father is anti-greek. (My mom, having been educated overseas, didn't really have an opinion about the greek system.) I got an earful. It was a happy day for him when I dropped out of FR (for reasons unrelated to him being anti-greek). He went ballistic again when I accepted a bid from my local. But a few weeks later, during parents' weekend, my sorority held a brunch for all our parents. My parents got to meet all my sisters, and were impressed. So I was "allowed" (like they could stop me
) to continue pledging. I was responsible for my own dues, but that wasn't a problem.
I did meet a parent once who was upset because her son had pledged a fraternity and moved into the house without telling her. She showed up at his temp dorm to learn he'd moved out and into a fraternity house. He'd rushed and pledged without telling her because he was sure she'd disapprove. She was upset, all right - not because he joined a fraternity, but because he didn't tell her anything about it, not even "Oh yeah, by the way, I'm living across the river now." !!!