Debunking the Sorority Women Airhead Myth

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

For what?

The best way to debunk myths is by continuing to be successful in what you do without needing to say "hey! I'm not a dumb sorority girl...I'm an engineering major." That screams airhead to me.

I've managed to challenge a few stereotypes individuals had about sorority women (NPC mostly because we're most visible on my campus) by just being me and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't hide my affiliation, but it isn't the first thing about me that I tell people about. Usually when they say "but you're so smart and not <insert insult here> (drunk, skanky, air headed, boy crazy)" they realize that was kind of an assy thing to say. It is really annoying when you work hard in school and the community, and all it takes to tarnish your good image is some idiot driving drunk, hitting a fire hydrant and flooding the local hospital (true story) or someone to come to class in letters, hungover and unprepared, and if they aren't sleeping talk incessantly about how trashed they got at the TriLambs.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I've managed to challenge a few stereotypes individuals had about sorority women (NPC mostly because we're most visible on my campus) by just being me and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't hide my affiliation, but it isn't the first thing about me that I tell people about. Usually when they say "but you're so smart and not <insert insult here> (drunk, skanky, air headed, boy crazy)" they realize that was kind of an assy thing to say. It is really annoying when you work hard in school and the community, and all it takes to tarnish your good image is some idiot driving drunk, hitting a fire hydrant and flooding the local hospital (true story) or someone to come to class in letters, hungover and unprepared, and if they aren't sleeping talk incessantly about how trashed they got at the TriLambs.

Ouchie. It would be tough to be part of the Greek system that had that image. Do you think it's more of a problem on your campus or just a general problem with Greek life?

Is it mainly a question of how the negative things ellipse the positive in the public mind?

ETA: I think that what might contribute is that people see what they expect to see and ignore what they don't. If you expect to see Greeks in easy majors, looking for MRS degrees, then those are the ones you notice, even though there aren't that many of them. If there's an idiot kid in class, hungover and chatty, people notice the greek shirt and if there isn't one, just kind of assume the person is Greek anyway because they fit their idea of the type. Unless the aeronautical engineering majors advertise their groups, no one knows how different the reality is.

And I don't know if hyping the high average GPA is enough because so many of those doing the stereotyping just kind of assume it's because the women are in easier classes or have access to test files, etc, whatever else confirms the stereotype. Maybe CPCs should start hyping the accomplishments of the women in hard sciences, etc.

[SWTXBelle]

I was always amazed when people thought they were being complimentary when they said "You are in a sorority? Wow - I never would have guessed!", or worse "You're smart for a sorority girl". HUH?

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I was always amazed when people thought they were being complimentary when they said "You are in a sorority? Wow - I never would have guessed!", or worse "You're smart for a sorority girl". HUH?

Instead of being insulted I revel in the person making the statement coming to terms with their own stereotyping issues.

[SWTXBelle]

Oh, I did - I'd ask them "What exactly do you think a sorority girl is like?"

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Instead of being insulted I revel in the person making the statement coming to terms with their own stereotyping issues.

I like the way you handled that.

They probably learned more too.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I like the way you handled that.

They probably learned more too.

Well let's be honest, there are members of the Greek system who behave in ways that taint all of us. I'm not saying that these people are 100% wrong, because there are obviously students who behave in a way we're not thrilled about, but they aren't 100% right either.

I wonder who will have their stereotypes challenged when I wear my badge to class and work tomorrow?

[OhSoVeryLadylike]

Elementary Education is CAKE major??