OK this is super long........
It would be easy to say that being in a sorority should not affect your dating/personal life, but in all reality, it can. Depending on your school's culture, there are some issues you may run into.
Some schools' GLOs have an a more inherent influence on individual members' personal relationship statuses. For example, a sorority may be "informatlly" tied to a fraternity, and mixers and other events are pretty much exclusively held with that fraternity. Many older sisters might only date from a certain fraternity (as opposed to other GLOs or non-greeks). There may be a lot of pressure to date only within certain perameters, especially if you live in a House. One major issue is that most Houses have a no-boys-over rule/curfew. Another issue is sleeping at the boy's room/house and doing the "walk of shame". Some chapters have strong (unwritten) understandings about what is and is not appropriate.
At my first school, there were no houses, but I can tell you that there was a lot of "influence" on pledges and younger sisters to date (or rather, not date) members of certain fraternities on non-greeks. Of course, NO ONE should let anyone influence their personal choices, but there is a lot of pressure, and at 18, 19, it is hard to do "what you want" when there is a group mentality/understanding.
At my second school, where I became a Gamma Sig, the greek population was very very small, and having a boyfriend, greek or not, was not much of an issue. I held several offices, and was an editor of the school paper and in several clubs, so I had to become a master of time management.
The bottom line is that Sisterhood does require a time commitment, regardless of existence or residence in a House (the building). Some people are better at balancing academics/ sisterhood/ activities/ relationships. You are the only one who can decide what your priorities are.
As a 30-something, my "wisdom and experience" (I am air-quoting here) would suggest to you to keep your mind open to new experiences (it doesn't have to mean breaking up). Any serious relationship in your late teens/early 20s is confusing enough. Many couples grow apart, while a small percentage stay together and become part of the "I married my high school sweetheart" club.
Figure out what is most important to you, and be honest with your boyfriend. Titles don't mean anything; being honest with your priorities does. If he is cool with you spending x amount of time with your sisters (for official/mandatory business, and socially), then I think it's a moot point.
You are at an amazing time in your life. Learn, grow, live. Whatever you decide, do it for yourself. You have the rest of your life to give to others.
|