Something that we didn’t really get to in class is the social atmosphere on campus, primarily because (I think) we’ve been emphasizing that the average college student is no longer the 4-year residential student in Harvard-esque dorms and leafy green fields. And while we at a commuter campus may not feel the same atmosphere of “college” as some residential schools do, I think it’s an interesting topic nonetheless and speaks to the students of this generation.
This Times article from a few weeks ago, entitled “When a Feminist Pledges a Sorority,” talks about the seemingly contradictory values of feminism and Greek life. For some reason, over the last few years, sorority pledging has spiked significantly, much to the dismay of the feminists of the 70s and 80s. While many feminists (especially of generations past) see the sorority structure as an expression of white male dominance–many sororities have strict standards for dress and makeup, and national chapters still prohibit alcohol in their houses, for instance–today’s undergraduate feminists aim to redefine the role of the sorority. Many sororities have coordinated networking events for their members, held discussion forums on gender and sexuality, and act as a support system for young, ambitious women. And while the desire to be part of Greek life may seem like playing into male supremacy, many of these young women speak about today’s sororities as a way of destroying the patriarchy “from the inside.” After all, fraternity alumni make up a huge part of Fortune 500 CEOs, and many Silicon Valley success stories (Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram) had their base in a frat house. Undergraduate women see today’s sororities as their opportunity to build up lasting connections and advance their professional careers.
Before I read this article, I think I had a negative view of the whole pledging system and Greek life–who would want to stand in front of a bunch of judgmental women in heels and makeup, waiting for an evaluation? It feels so demeaning. But reading about these young feminists and the potential they view in sororities, I feel more inspired. Of course, sororities still have what to improve on, like broadening their inclusiveness and removing the ban on alcohol (which would give sororities control over parties, likely diminishing cases of sexual assault), but they could be heading there. Maybe there’s still a way to go until a college startup run by sorority women turns into the next Facebook, but I’d be very excited when it happens.
