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Unfortunately, there will always be stereotypes about every group of people and social sororities and fraternities get a bad rep from those that don't know much about the Greek system. I understand your parents' concern, particularly because they'd likely be funding your experience. However, if it's important to you, spend some time researching sororities, the role they play in your school and community, their philanthropies, etc.
A lot of times, opposition stems from ignorance. If they don't know any of the merits, of COURSE they're going to think sororities are all about partying (which they definitely are not).
Sit down with them and tell them why you're really interested. Go online with them and show them the websites of chapters at your school --or national websites! They can read about all of the GOOD that sororities do.
If you need someone here to list the merits (so you can get input from sisters), let us know!
Also, if they're concerned about grades, talk to them about how sororities can actually HELP with grades. Of course, sororities provide strong social networks so there are more opportunities to go out and party, hang out, and so forth, but all Panhellenic sororities require a minimum GPA to stay in the sorority and many require mandatory study hours. Sorority membership provides a great incentive to keep up with grades because you can go on academic monitoring or probation within the sorority if you don't keep them up...so basically, if you like going to socials and all of those great perks, you're inspired to work hard!
Also, sorority meetings and events can teach you a lot about responsibility, etiquette, networking, and dealing with groups of people. You can take on officer positions and be a role model and a leader within your organization and university. I have definitely grown tremendously since I joined my sorority.
Of course, we DO have socials and we do have a lot of fun! But that's not all that the sorority is about...that's only a part of it...so make sure your parents know this.
If you try really hard and show them the great things sorority life has to offer and that still doesn't work...try taking them to an information night so they can learn more about it firsthand.
If nothing works, work and pay for it. Trust me--it is definitely worth it. I always hear fellow Greeks saying, "If I paid for my friends, I surely didn't pay enough" and for me, that is so, so true.
Good luck and I hope you do go through recruitment. Let us know what you end up doing!
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