Calling new members "baby"

[psusue]

Our national headquarters discourages the use of 'baby violets', 'baby sailboats', etc. I personally think it's ridiculous for our organization, because we don't have an animal mascot, we have a sailboat and a skull and crossbones. Neither of which has been or will ever be a baby. I don't mind the idea in theory, as all new members are 'babies' in their new organization, but I also know that it sounds demeaning and infantilizing to others.

I kind of wish we could do something like ADPi or Phi Mu and call our new members 'alphas' or 'phis', however that is the unfortunate downside of only having one letter.

Also, a pledge is a promise, not a person. What I learned from my new member period.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by psusue

Our national headquarters discourages the use of 'baby violets', 'baby sailboats', etc. I personally think it's ridiculous for our organization, because we don't have an animal mascot, we have a sailboat and a skull and crossbones. Neither of which has been or will ever be a baby. I don't mind the idea in theory, as all new members are 'babies' in their new organization, but I also know that it sounds demeaning and infantilizing to others.

I kind of wish we could do something like ADPi or Phi Mu and call our new members 'alphas' or 'phis', however that is the unfortunate downside of only having one letter.

Also, a pledge is a promise, not a person. What I learned from my new member period.

I think just "violets" would work, though, wouldn't it? Or do you have a jewel? I think the jewel always works.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I think just "violets" would work, though, wouldn't it? Or do you have a jewel? I think the jewel always works.

I've heard them called "new violets" or "new pearls" because chapters are starting to see that "baby violet" is frowned upon.

I really don't have a problem with new pearl/violet. Much better than being called a baby.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by psusue

Our national headquarters discourages the use of 'baby violets', 'baby sailboats', etc. I personally think it's ridiculous for our organization, because we don't have an animal mascot, we have a sailboat and a skull and crossbones. Neither of which has been or will ever be a baby. I don't mind the idea in theory, as all new members are 'babies' in their new organization, but I also know that it sounds demeaning and infantilizing to others.

I kind of wish we could do something like ADPi or Phi Mu and call our new members 'alphas' or 'phis', however that is the unfortunate downside of only having one letter.

Also, a pledge is a promise, not a person. What I learned from my new member period.

I think I've pretty much established my anti-babyness, but when I started thinking about Sigma's mascots as you noted them, "Baby Skulls" went through my mind. I mean no disrespect, but I did giggle a little.

[LouisaMay]

The baby thing was big when I was in college. Chapters often gave their new pledges big toy baby bottles filled with candy in their sororities' colors.

("Thetartots" cracked me up!)

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Jen

It's like when I saw "baby hooter" in a thread here.

Oh, me too on that one, especially when it's written in the plural.