Sororities and Feminism

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by als463

As far as DGTess is concerned, I'm glad that you were not sexually harassed while in the military. That's great. In my nine years in the Army, I was. It appeared in your response that you were insinuating that I did something to make the males in my unit believe I was a "weaker" sex. Last time I checked, that was called victim-blaming (though I never viewed myself as a victim). I never gave that impression. When you are in a unit of nothing but men and you deploy with them to a war zone, you see the true colors of many of these "happily married men" who attempt to see how far you will go. Thankfully, I have my integrity and would never have done anything with anyone---especially with people who were married or attached in any way. Please don't assume that because I had been sexually harassed on numerous ocassions, that I "asked for it" or that I conveyed a particular image to get unwanted attention. I could tell you horror stories of the things that have been said to me by people of the same rank and even superiors. I once had a Captain poke my breast, while in PT clothing, and ask if they "were real."

I meant to imply no such thing. Nor did I wish yours to be the only voice from the American military. My experiences were very different, and probably neither of us can say ours were typical; we probably don't have that much information.

The strengths I brought to college, the strengths I learned in college and as a DG, and later those gained in the military, enabled me. What shaped your experiences, I don't know and won't speculate since I don't know you.

[AlphaFrog]

I feel like this, as many things are, is a swinging pendulum.

Sororities definitely started off feminist. I think every chapter older than 10-20 years had a time in its past (though the time period may vary by region) where it was about getting the MRS Degree, because that's what college was about for many women (Greek or not). I think we're mostly swinging back towards feminism. Less hazing, less "formalized" interaction with Fraternities (except philanthropy - which is a good thing), and more emphasis on health & safety programming, grades, and community service.