Do Parents Understand?

I was wondering if anybody out there has had trouble getting support from their parents about going Greek. From my personal experience, my parents are glad that I am in a "club" and have a group of close friends on campus, but they make me pay my own dues. I tend to get mixed reactions from them. What about the rest of you? Do your parents support you? If so, how much?

[AZpinkkittie]

When i told my parents I was going to rush this year, I got the same reaction I've been gettig from every non-greek I tell, "Are you going to be drunk all the time and having sex with a bunch of frat boys?" I try to explain to them that they're just thinking of a very disgusting and unfair stereotype, but I've just decided not to talk to them about it anymore, at least until I know for sure that I'm in a house, then at least I can have them see my sisters and prove them wrong.

[33girl]

I would respond "you raised me to not be prejudiced against other races/religions/etc...why do you think it's OK to be prejudiced against fraternity & sorority members?"

A lot of the parents now grew up in the 60's & 70's when Greeks were not cool.

[MTSUGURL]

My parents do NOT understand. My mom went to a junior college, and my dad didn't go. They both had children when they were college age and were single parents. My mom gives me a blank "why are you doing this now" look whenever I bring it up. As for them being glad that I am in a club, I've always been in clubs. Nothing any different has happened in college so far - I've been involved with at least 3.

First of all, good luck with rushing! Secondly, it's hard to explain what you haven't experienced yourself. The bonds of sisterhood are far greater than those of any "club" members. Once again, good luck with going Greek. Those letters on your shirt will bring both smiles and criticism. I try to keep my attitude positive around my parents and show them pictures of the sisterhood or philanthropy events we partake in. That, and my paddle is a great way to show that someone cares enough about me to put that much time and effort into making me a present.

[astroAPhi]

My parents know that I joined for the right reasons. They also know that sometimes I am frustrated with my sisters because a few of them aren't on the same maturity level. They think the big sister I have found is an amazing woman and are glad that I can turn to her if I need anything. My boyfriend is also in a fraternity and they think he is the most polite and well-mannered young man they have ever met. They know that if it wasn't for his fraternity (and maybe even the fact that I was Greek), I wouldn't have met him.

As for paying dues, they offer to pay all of my expenses as long as I study my butt off, but I pay my dues with my work study job.

[GeekyPenguin]

My parents were very apprehensive about me going Greek, because I originally wanted to join a local sorority that enjoys hazing. They were pretty happy when they found out I rushed Gamma Phi Beta instead. They think sororities/fraternities can be good organizations, but would never pay my dues. I think they liked all the friendships I found within the house, and that it was somewhere for me to live other than the horrible situation I was in at the time.

[mu_agd]

My parents kind of pushed me to rush in a way. My dad wasn't in a fraternity and my mom had been a member of a local chapter. I went to school pretty far from home and didn't know a lot of people. They saw it as a way for me to meet people and find my place. My older sister had also been in a sorority when she was at school and my parents were very supportive when both her and I rushed, were members, and wanted to run for executive positions in the chapter. I was always very grateful of their support because I saw how it was for some of my friends whose parents were against it.

[MTSUGURL]

I like the freedom that paying my own way brings. Earlier in college when I wanted to join a sorority, my parents could not have afforded it. Especially since I went to a school where the dues were much more expensive! I can afford to do it myself now, which rocks.

[aephi alum]

My mother grew up overseas, so she doesn't quite understand the greek system. She's met a lot of my sisters and likes them... she is always keeping half an eye out for lily of the valley and giraffe stuff and I think she wishes she'd had the opportunity to go greek. (I'd suggest alum initiation, but I'm waiting for AEPhi to offer it )

My dad is vehemently anti-greek. He really buys into the "drunken frat boy/slutty sorority girl" stereotype. It didn't help that when he rushed, a brother of one fraternity asked him what he'd do if he was at a party and noticed a brother being sick because he'd had too much to drink.

[4RunnerStar]

my dad grew up overseas too and has only been in the country a little over 20 years so yeah he doesnt really understand it. my mom doesnt know too much about them i dont think because she didnt go to college. i know she wants the best for me i'll just have to convince her that what she already thinks about the partying, hazing, and other stuff just isnt true. she'll accept it once she sees the positive sides of it. she wont be able to help with dues but i'm sure that i'll be able to pay them myself. (theyre gonna be really expensive where i'm going to school)

[LeslieAGD]

At first my family was wary...my mom has seen too many Lifetime hazing movies and my sister thought I was joining a cult. They came around eventually.

[BluAPOcalypse25]

Yeah I had trouble with my mom when it came to joining a Greek organization.... However my dad didn't care since one of his closest friends was in Iota Phi Theta.... My church is pretty much anti-greek since some of the members were hazed badly and I ended up joining Alpha Phi Omega anyway. They said stuff like "it's an occult", "you shouldn't be saying oaths", blah blah blah.

[CarolinaCutie]

My mom was not Greek, but she was a Sigma Nu Lil Sis (or something like that). She doesn't really get the whole sorority thing, and a lot of times she playfully mocks the silly things that I have to do, like the chants or "secret stuff". But she supported me when I told her I was going to rush, she pays my dues, and she is completely thrilled at the fact that I am so happy. She sees that Phi Mu has made me so many friends and keeps me busy. She also likes that I do a lot of traditional college stuff, like going to basketball games, that I might not have done before. So while I can't say she completely understands, she is cheerfully clueless

[KappaKittyCat]

My parents were both in locals, but they didn't talk about it much when I was growing up. I think they were really surprised when I rushed Kappa. They thought I was in for being majorly hazed, though-- glad I got to prove them wrong. Now I think they'll both agree that it's been an amazing experience for me. They don't pay my dues, but they did buy my plane ticket to go to Orlando for Convention last year.