The link between Greek membership and social conservatism

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Little32

I guess for me this about sums it up. I think most NPHC organizations, and I single them out because they are the ones that I am most familiar with, are quite progressive on social issues, while at the same time having members that socially conservative in their own lives (which I think is what the OP refers to--the body of members). It certainly isn't a black or white issue.

And again, based on the demographic studies of Delta, I do know that the vast majority of our members are liberal in their own lives. So I am beginning to wonder it you are equating conservatism to elitism or classism.

[Taualumna]

I wouldn't say that NPC/IFC GLO members are super-conservative. Many immigrant cultures are super-conservative, and the parents would freak out if they find out that their children (especially their daughters) went Greek. To these parents, school is meant for studying, not having fun. Also, the partying repuation that GLOs have (whether it be true or untrue at the campus the kids attend) may be against their values at home.

In any case, all NPC groups were founded at a time when women only made up a small percentage of college students, so just BY being college students, these girls' parents were no way extreme conservatives during their time.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And again, based on the demographic studies of Delta, I do know that the vast majority of our members are liberal in their own lives. So I am beginning to wonder it you are equating conservatism to elitism or classism.

No, I think that we generally are saying the same thing. Of course, it goes back to your statement about the definitions of liberalism and conservatism (and, actually, I don't know if a straight juxtaposition of those two ideas is as useful as it could be) and I think that things have changed pretty significantly with regards to definitions of conservatism even within the last ten years.