Coming out Greek

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I only know one person who struggled to "come out" as a member of a GLO. This person's parents were opposed to Greekdom for religious reasons.

You must be talking about my mother! She was really opposed to the whole idea. She went to a Bible college that had no greek life. She said that her school justified no greek system with "We do not want any organization that separates man." I can't really see how that is the case when most orgs pride themselves on unity.

The good part is she is "slowly" changing her way of thinking.

[LTA4]

i think that being greek is something to be proud of-- an accomplishment, a commitment, and a lifestyle that at its best is not only beneficial to those that are Greek but also to those surrounding them. And I'm sure that most everyone who is Greek feels the same way, or else they wouldn't have joined their org.

I would just try to stress the positive aspect of Greek life-- the service, philanthropy, sisterhood/brotherhood, networking, and positive life experiences. Typically people who are anti-Greek have only been exposed to the negative/stereotypical idea of Greek life, and perhaps trying to educate them will help. Otherwise, I would just let them feel the way they feel and still be proud of it, because obviously if they care about you then hopefully it won't affect your relationship with them either way.

[Pike_Cardinal]

As far as my parents knowing I was greek, it wasnt a big deal because they dont really understand. In fact, I was really proud of my accomplishment, but they really werent because they didnt know what I had done. My dad called me a couple of weeks later and was like "Is everyone in the fraternity an alcoholic" to which I said no and he said alright ill talk to ya later. He called me one more time because he had been talking to one of his company partners who had a bad greek experience and he was making sure i wasnt a "frat boy". It was much harder to tell my non-greek friends, they just dont understand either.

[cheerfulgreek]

My parents are both greek so they were really supportive of my decision to pledge a sorority. They were both really happy for me when I came back home for the summer, greek.

[guardedbystars]

Originally Posted by Pike_Cardinal

As far as my parents knowing I was greek, it wasnt a big deal because they dont really understand. In fact, I was really proud of my accomplishment, but they really werent because they didnt know what I had done. My dad called me a couple of weeks later and was like "Is everyone in the fraternity an alcoholic" to which I said no and he said alright ill talk to ya later. He called me one more time because he had been talking to one of his company partners who had a bad greek experience and he was making sure i wasnt a "frat boy". It was much harder to tell my non-greek friends, they just dont understand either.

My parents didn't/don't really understand all about it so like Pike_Cardinal said, they weren't upset, but they weren't super excited about it because they had no idea what I was doing. My mom is more interested in it because she's met some of my sorority sisters and she knows that they're great friends and awesome people all around. My biological sisters don't understand at all--my older sister will ask how it is, but that's about it. I want my younger sister to rush, but ultimately it's her own choice.

I got a lot of backlash from my high school friends; most of my college friends kind of already figured I was going to rush/pledge (even before I knew I wanted to!!). The week I put it in my AIM profile/Facebook, I received a lot of messages and IMs from people saying "I can't believe you did this, you're a bad person" -- I don't really talk to these people anymore because they clearly didn't support me.

My high school friends that I still hang out with have come to accept it and I still see them all the time even though I have 90+ sisters that they don't know

[SnuKnight172]

When I rushed I got the "why are you doing that you should concentrate on school" from my Dad. My Mom was cool with it she didn't have any problems or concerns. My Grandparents were a little concerned as well. I guess everyone was concerened about the partying, drinking, etc.... My Grandfather went as far as to say "you are already Greek (by blood) why join a fake Greek group."

All of the critisism stopped when they realized there was a philanthropical side to being Greek. My Dad actually hired some of my Bros and they were the best employees he has ever had. He still calls asking for phone numbers of guys looking for jobs.

My Grandparents became cool with it when they meet my wife (girlfriend at the time) who was an Aphi.

To add to my Dad's approval, he coaches a traveling men's baseball team and 50% of his players are from the Fraternity. He also plays in the chapter's golf tourney every year.

My family was so supportive come time for my sister to go to school (my Senior year) they wanted to make sure she rushed. She is now an Aphi. The only thing that concerns them about her is the Spring Breaks in Mexico..

You just have to get everyone over the initial shock and stand your ground. You joined a worldclass organization and they will see that in a short amount of time.

[jennie3576]

Neither of my parents went to college - I was the first. My dad never had an opinion about it, but I don't think he understood it. My mom was completely against it because she saw her friend's 2 daughters have really negative experiences. But I told them before I rushed that I wanted to do it. My dad, like I said, never had an opinon. My mom opposed it, but figured I'd do it anyway. Once I brought my mom to campus to meet my new sisters, she got it! And dad got it when he met my husband (obviuosly boyfriend back then!). He said "thank god you joined that group with the funny letters - so you could go to a party for another group with funny letters to meet him!"