BARBIE themed recruitment???

phimuatdrex · #1 07-26-2010, 09:45 AM

any ideas?! thanks!

Drolefille · #2 07-26-2010, 09:54 AM

I'll be the Debbie Downer on this one. I don't like the idea. I think it plays into the stereotypes of sororities by non-Greeks and I think it's immature/childish as a theme for recruitment. They're not really "retro" toys and they're not really one of those things that is coming back to be cool again like I don't know Strawberry Shortcake or something (and I wouldn't recommend a SS theme either.)

Are you wanting to have a Barbie themed overall recruitment or just a party for your chapter?

AlphaFrog · #3 07-26-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'll be the Debbie Downer on this one. I don't like the idea. I think it plays into the stereotypes of sororities by non-Greeks and I think it's immature/childish as a theme for recruitment. They're not really "retro" toys and they're not really one of those things that is coming back to be cool again like I don't know Strawberry Shortcake or something (and I wouldn't recommend a SS theme either.)

Agree x 10

Miriverite · #4 07-26-2010, 10:15 AM

Was there any particular reason why this theme was chosen? I can definitely think of ideas, but like the two posters above, I feel that exemplifies the "fake, image-obsessed" sorority stereotype.

AlphaFrog · #5 07-26-2010, 10:33 AM

If it is something that Panhel has already stuck you with, and you can't do anything about it now, how about something like "All XYZ friends and accessories included" (playing off the commercials where they have Barbie & Co in some fabulous setup, and they tell you at the end of the commercial that it's all sold separately).

Drolefille · #6 07-26-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

If it is something that Panhel has already stuck you with, and you can't do anything about it now, how about something like "All XYZ friends and accessories included" (playing off the commercials where they have Barbie & Co in some fabulous setup, and they tell you at the end of the commercial that it's all sold separately).

I think if you are committed this is a good (ish) idea. It also matters whether this is Panhel's theme for recruitment in general, your theme for the entire recruitment or your theme for one night.

You could also focus on all of Barbie's jobs and how you have people in all sorts of majors and alumnae in all sorts of jobs.

However, I still think it's a BAD idea. I can think of several themes, including Wizard of Oz that I've seen PNMs react negatively to. You don't want to be that group. If you're absolutely committed you need to make it spectacular, and you need to get your chapter behind you in it.

DrPhil · #7 07-26-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'll be the Debbie Downer on this one. I don't like the idea. I think it plays into the stereotypes of sororities by non-Greeks and I think it's immature/childish as a theme for recruitment. They're not really "retro" toys and they're not really one of those things that is coming back to be cool again like I don't know Strawberry Shortcake or something (and I wouldn't recommend a SS theme either.)

Ditto. I can finally breathe again.

33girl · #8 07-26-2010, 11:35 AM

OK, please explain why Barbie is teh devil but Sex and the City is OK? They're just giant Barbie dolls, and they're slutty Barbies at that.

Or why is Victoria's Secret OK and Barbie is not? VS doesn't exactly give out an "empowering women" theme - it's all about looking sexy for men.

As far as it being "childish" this is the generation running around with all things Hello Kitty (past age 7) so I don't think that argument holds water.

I don't think it's the most fantastic theme either, I just don't understand the vitriol for it when similar things are apparently OK fine.

AlphaFrog · #9 07-26-2010, 11:39 AM

For the record, I'm not a fan of the VS or SatC themes either.

MysticCat · #10 07-26-2010, 11:43 AM

This bearer of a Y chromosome feels the need to ask: Why have themes to begin with?

DrPhil · #11 07-26-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

OK, please explain why Barbie is teh devil but Sex and the City is OK? They're just giant Barbie dolls, and they're slutty Barbies at that.

Or why is Victoria's Secret OK and Barbie is not? VS doesn't exactly give out an "empowering women" theme - it's all about looking sexy for men.

As far as it being "childish" this is the generation running around with all things Hello Kitty (past age 7) so I don't think that argument holds water.

I don't think it's the most fantastic theme either, I just don't understand the vitriol for it when similar things are apparently OK fine.

outsider's opinion/

Barbie = SATC = VS = not good themes

But, as Drolefile stated, you can pick things from these categories and make a theme out of them. I just wouldn't call it Barbie, SATC, or VS. Seeing those titles would make me cringe as a nonmember, not like what would make me cringe matters.

On a Delta note, some chapter advisers and alumnae chapters would trip if a collegiate chapter used any of those themes for a program, etc but they would be more understanding if the theme was to take a FUN women's liberation approach to Barbie, SATC, or VS. That's something that has previously been done by researchers and so forth.

/outsider's opinion

33girl · #12 07-26-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This bearer of a Y chromosome

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This bearer of a Y chromosome

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This bearer of a Y chromosome

That should answer your question. LOL.

In all seriousness, it's used to sort of "break the ice" and get conversations going. It used to be connected with the skit but that isn't true for all campi anymore as many of them have eradicated skits.

DrPhil · #13 07-26-2010, 11:50 AM

Well, I don't see the point of themes, either, but having a theme is the theme of the thread.

AlphaFrog · #14 07-26-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This bearer of a Y chromosome feels the need to ask: Why have themes to begin with?

Why do we match our handtowels to our shower curtains and send "Thinking of You" cards to our friends? It's a girl thing, just play along.

MysticCat · #15 07-26-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

That should answer your question. LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Why do we match our handtowels to our shower curtains and send "Thinking of You" cards to our friends? It's a girl thing, just play along.

LOL. I know, I know. I almost typed "It's a rhetorical question."

I am not meant to understand, just like my wife doesn't understand how I can find a Home Depot wherever I am.