The link between Greek membership and social conservatism

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Little32

Also, I am sure that Delta as an organization has certain expectations surrounding behaviors and activities where members are concerned that many do feel are conservative.

But then not really, because imo we have done a good job in changing our old protocols to today's way of dress, and have broadened them to basically just saying wear your symbols with respect.

As for behaviors, I don't think a prohibition against public drunkeness, or not running to the store with rollers in your hair while wearing letters would be considered conservative--just common sense. And what internal dress codes we still use or more ritualistic rather that a matter of liberalism or conservatism. Because there is a special meaning behind them--know only to us.

And again I will point to our social action thrust and the issues we endorse are not socially conservative by anyone's definition. For example No Child Left Behind. We are still a sorority where the majority of our members are in the field of education. And as an organization, we challenged the Act, because of what it would mean in communities of color.

Another example, when I was on the national board we invited Clarence Thomas to speak with us before his confirmation. (He had been a law student of one of our past national presidents.) We challenged him on his views and although we cannot endorse candidates, he knew that the message would go out that we did not support the issues he championed. (And neither did his old law professor who was the first Black woman appointed to the US Civil Rights Commission.)

This is not to say that we don't have conservative members in our sorority who are also given the opportunity to express their views, but when it comes right down to our resolutions the over whelming majority vote on the ones that are socially liberal.

So again, I think it boils down to one's definition of liberalism and conservatism. But to me Delta is a liberal and very tolerant organization.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

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.

It was the Republican party who pushed the Suffragette agenda...Harding was a huge supporter of Sufferage!

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

It was the Republican party who pushed the Suffragette agenda...Harding was a huge supporter of Sufferage!

oh noez! not Harding!!!

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

It was the Republican party who pushed the Suffragette agenda...Harding was a huge supporter of Sufferage!

You are aware that at one point in this country, the republicans and democrats were the polar opposites of what they are today.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Originally Posted by AlexMack

You are aware that at one point in this country, the republicans and democrats were the polar opposites of what they are today.

Well by 1912 the Republicans turned pro-business and kicked out the progressives...the modern Republican party took hold around the time of Taft....

I'd rather not get into a political history debate here though...

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

It was the Republican party who pushed the Suffragette agenda...Harding was a huge supporter of Sufferage!

Yes, and my liberal parents were Republican, because it was the party of Lincoln. My reference had more to do with the liberal thinking (not party affiliation) of my Founders. And my guess is that many of their families were Republicans and liberal, too.

[skylark]

I certainly haven't observed that NPC and IFC fraternities and sororities tend to attract more conservative people (my sorority had many liberal people, and this was in a very conservative red state). However, I do see that the fact that sororities and fraternities may attract people from higher income levels, which may make sense with the original poster's claims. One thing I would be curious about is whether there were "christian" sororities and fraternities included in the statistics. That would certainly make the statistics come out more conservative, I think. Also, are the Latino/Latina and African-American groups included? If not, this might make the statistics skewed, as well (since at least I've heard that NPC and IFC frats and sororities tend to be whiter than the average college population, unfortunately).

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by skylark

Also, are the Latino/Latina and African-American groups included?

In my experience, I haven't run into too many conservative LGLO members (with the exception of some from Texas). I'd say the vast majority of LGLO members that I know personally are liberals.

[Soliloquy]

I can see some truth in it, but I really think it depends on the region a chapter is located. There are some basic principles that can be upheld by everyone, such as acting with class and dignity, but you can't really make a blanket statement like that.

You will find more conservative people in the south, logically there will be a higher percentage of conservative people involved in any form of a GLO. However, that's not always the case! I would imagine that you would also find more diverse chapters in larger cities based on demographics.

Just my two cents though

[SoCalGirl]

I think on a National level all GLOs lean more conservatively than the individual chapters. Probably because older generations are more actively involved the higher up you go in the organization.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

In my experience, I haven't run into too many conservative LGLO members (with the exception of some from Texas). I'd say the vast majority of LGLO members that I know personally are liberals.

I agree... that was why I was asking. If they aren't included in the statistic that would be highly likely to make it skewed, I think.

[violetpretty]

This is from my NPC perspective:

I think it has to do with how sororities are portrayed to the general population. How do they see us? Think of every sorority stereotype. Rich, exclusive, obsessed with looks, only in college to find a husband, parties, objectifying ourselves, etc. We are part of "the establishment" to the general population. I think conservatives tend to be more attracted to (or at least more okay with) this image than liberals.

However, if sororities were perceived as organizations to develop female leaders, organizations that are based on non-political values like friendship, loyalty, service, scholarship, etc. our chapters would be composed of a more representative microcosm of the particular campus.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Most California greeks I know....like most California college students are woefully liberal. The greeks however seem to be more moderate Democrat than their non-greek liberal to commie student counterparts. So it's all relative but I think in general you're right.

Conservative people tend to be attracted to organizations which have limitations and conformity (the Military, GLOs, Country Clubs, etc), and no I don't think there is ANYTHING wrong with that.

Also I think being in a GLO(especially as an exec) teaches you about human nature, why it's a bad idea to let random dudes into events, and how to run finances. I think all three things tend to make people a little less naive and trusting about the goodness of human nature....and thus more conservative.

I think Liberals tend to see human nature as generally good and after having a few computers, DVD players, and stereos stolen at parties and see sleazy stranger guys try to date rape girls at your house that whole fluffy world view begins to change....and you become more cautious.

[LegallyBrunette]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

Most California greeks I know....like most California college students are woefully liberal. The greeks however seem to be more moderate Democrat than their non-greek liberal to commie student counterparts. So it's all relative but I think in general you're right.

Conservative people tend to be attracted to organizations which have limitations and conformity (the Military, GLOs, Country Clubs, etc), and no I don't think there is ANYTHING wrong with that.

Also I think being in a GLO(especially as an exec) teaches you about human nature, why it's a bad idea to let random dudes into events, and how to run finances. I think all three things tend to make people a little less naive and trusting about the goodness of human nature....and thus more conservative.

I think Liberals tend to see human nature as generally good and after having a few computers, DVD players, and stereos stolen at parties and see sleazy stranger guys try to date rape girls at your house that whole fluffy world view begins to change....and you become more cautious.

Damn, I lost my whole first response to this. Anyway, I agree with the general proposition that conservative individuals may be initially more comfortable with the idea of an institution like Greek Life. However, I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that liberalism somehow equates to irresponsibility and naivete. If anything, in looking at the current administration's fiscal policy, the opposite seems to be true (ex: hemmoragic spending in the face of an enormous deficit). If somehow having a chapter composed of liberals meant huge RM issues and lack of financial stability because of their naivete and unwillingness to impose rules (which is what I took away from the above post), every chapter in every blue state (except for those chapters entirely composed of Republicans) would be in ruin. And, despite what rumblings I've heard from time to time on here about Greek life in the West and North, they are not.

Kyle, please correct me if I've misinterpreted you.

[Tom Earp]

So, does all of this make NIC and PHC members Republicans?

I have run the gamut over the years from semi liberal, to moderare to conservative.

Maybe some feel GLOs are conservitive because we are more regimented within our organizations.