The link between Greek membership and social conservatism

[Dionysus]

Going by what I read on GC and other Greek message boards, Greeks as a whole tend to be more socially conservative compared to non-Greeks. Most of the Greeks I know/knew in real life are more on the conservative side also. I took a class last semester, we read a lot of research on different student groups. There was research that said Greeks are one of the least socially progressive student groups.

In other words, it's obvious that Greeks as a group are more socially conservative than non-Greeks. What I have trouble understanding is what is it about fraternities and sororities that attract more conservative people. Maybe I have trouble understanding because I was a social Greek for a short period of time, and missed out on a lot of stuff. It seems that the things fraternities and sororities provide (brother/sisterhood, leadership development, networking opportunities, etc.) would attract anyone, regardless of political and social views.

[Animate]

Huh?

[Benzgirl]

I think it's like saying the dress code for sorority recruitment is to wear pearls and white gloves. No, the Greek system does not attract people with more conservative views.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I think it's like saying the dress code for sorority recruitment is to wear pearls and white gloves. No, the Greek system does not attract people with more conservative views.

Yeah. You should probably come to the South.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I think it's like saying the dress code for sorority recruitment is to wear pearls and white gloves. No, the Greek system does not attract people with more conservative views.

Uh...yes it does, in general. What a horrible analogy.

[AGDee]

In general, they do. This is why greek membership suffered so in the early 70's. The greek system was seen as part of "The Establishment" and the vast majority of college students wanted nothing to do with "The Establishment". There are certain standards we are expected to uphold as members of our organizations and they tend to be pretty conservative. The true irony in this phenomena, for the women's groups anyway, is that our organizations were founded by women who were attending college during times that it was not encouraged. So, they were very progressive women who set out to develop our organizations.

That definitely doesn't mean there are no liberals in GLOs and it definitely varies by region, but extreme liberals (think anarchy types) aren't going to be interested in joining a group where they are told what they can wear when they drink, etc.

[Little32]

Conservative does not necessarily equal negative. Also, I think that most folks assoiciate greek life with a degree of conformity (whether that is true or not), and the notion that one has to conform to be a member overrides the other positives that might be associated with greek life.

Also, conservative is relative. In the black community, NPHC organizations are often considered conservative because of some of the values they espouse. However, when considered in relation to other GLOs, NPHC organizations might be considered down-right radical.

As my grandfather used to say "It's all relative."

[Scandia]

My family is very conservative overall- and not fond of GLOs at all. I am a fence-sitting moderate, and I am an A Phi O brother and am pursuing AI as well.

[PiKA2001]

Well most fraternities strive to live up to values and a set of beliefs that were established 100+ years ago, a time when American culture was conservative, so this is not at all very surprising. Also, if you look at the things that most Greeks do, (serenades, pinnings, date parties,etc) it is kind of a throw back to an older generation.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

Going by what I read on GC and other Greek message boards, Greeks as a whole tend to be more socially conservative compared to non-Greeks. Most of the Greeks I know/knew in real life are more on the conservative side also. I took a class last semester, we read a lot of research on different student groups. There was research that said Greeks are one of the least socially progressive student groups.

In other words, it's obvious that Greeks as a group are more socially conservative than non-Greeks. What I have trouble understanding is what is it about fraternities and sororities that attract more conservative people. Maybe I have trouble understanding because I was a social Greek for a short period of time, and missed out on a lot of stuff. It seems that the things fraternities and sororities provide (brother/sisterhood, leadership development, networking opportunities, etc.) would attract anyone, regardless of political and social views.

the demographics for my sorority dispute this. But then it is probably understandable since out first official act was to participate in the suffragette movement and march the streets of DC.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AGDee

In general, they do. This is why greek membership suffered so in the early 70's. The greek system was seen as part of "The Establishment" and the vast majority of college students wanted nothing to do with "The Establishment". There are certain standards we are expected to uphold as members of our organizations and they tend to be pretty conservative. The true irony in this phenomena, for the women's groups anyway, is that our organizations were founded by women who were attending college during times that it was not encouraged. So, they were very progressive women who set out to develop our organizations.

My college banned general GLOs for that very reason during that time period. Not so coincidentally, a lot of extra liberal feminist student affairs people joined the staff at that time. Luckily, the last of them just retired so hopefully with new leadership we can revisit the GLO issue -- especially since both AEPi and another NIC org have official (for the org) unrecognized (by the school) chapters there.

[UGAalum94]

I think private social clubs are going to be more resistant to social change because of the self-selected nature of members. The present group of members looks for a new set most like them, which tends to perpetuate holding the same ideas and values over time.

There's also a principle that suggest that being in groups with people who are politically the same makes the positions of the group members more extreme than being in groups that are mixed by ideology. (It makes sense. Your constantly reinforcing rather than challenging each other, if nothing else.)

So if the same idea is true in purely social groups, the prevailing ideology of the group may perpetuate itself. Since the groups have set traditions and history, it attracts traditionalist and the cycle continues.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

the demographics for my sorority dispute this. But then it is probably understandable since out first official act was to participate in the suffragette movement and march the streets of DC.

So you wouldn't say that Delta has some values that might be considered conservative in this day and age?

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by Little32;1510274

Also, conservative is relative. In the black community, NPHC organizations are often considered conservative because of some of the values they espouse. However, [B

when considered in relation to other GLOs, NPHC organizations might be considered down-right radical[/B].

Assuming you mean NPC and IFC groups...how? I don't see it.

[Little32]

Well that comment is based on the way that I see things talked about on this site. I have read threads and posters who suggest that NPC and IFC do things very differently and have very different values in relation to NPHC organizations.

Also, simply the nature of our histories, the social contexts in which they were established, and the purposes for which our organizations were established inherently suggest a difference in values. That gap may be more narrow, wider, or unchanged today, depending on who you ask.