Sororities And Stereotypes Essay

Stereotypes are a form of prejudice everyone will once experience in their lifetime. Stereotypes are centered around an individual's race, gender, social class, religion, and age. They have been known to be elements people use to make judgments and subjectify people to one key feature. As Gordon Allport states, “ To state the matter technically, a noun abstracts from a concrete reality some one features and assembles different concrete realities only with respect to this one feature”(364). Mr.Allport’s words can be summed up to say stereotypes have been used as key fundamentals to associate one feature or aspect of a person with a group that represents it, typically in an unfavorable way.

As a young woman who strives to make a difference both locally and globally, I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will aid in accomplishing my life long goals. The emphasis this organization places on assisting and supporting others through the Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, is truly a reflection of the public service initiatives that I make an effort to take part in. The opportunity to form a lifelong bond with other college educated women, who share some of the same morals and beliefs as I do, is phenomenal. I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will mean taking that initiative to become a part of something that’s bigger than myself, because I certainly can’t take on the world alone. The incredible

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated purpose is to be of service to all mankind dealing with critical issues in communities domestically and internationally. What I have grown to understand an envision a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be, I accredit largely to the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter. This has the result of attending many of the chapter’s events during my time at Hampton thus far. One of my favorite events was a screening of a documentary Girls Rising. I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge because in some parts of the world girls are restricted from receiving an education. A

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

This definition Ross provides and informs one with the true and deep meanings of what the “sisterhood” may define sorority. A sister may tell one that a sorority may appear as a partying thing, but in reality a sorority is a group that gives back to the community while having fun at the same time. Many resources do not talk about sororities in general. The resources mentioned a special group called the Divine Nine. Together these nine societies make up what is known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (Barker 17). The NPHC contributes abundantly to the community from: improving health care, raising scholarship funds, and promoting literacy to working for women’s rights, aiding the NAACP, and organizing social justice and civil rights, … (Fine 2). There are only four societies in the Divine Nine that are sororities. These were the first sororities formed on college campuses and have successfully made a massive impact in every community.

All around the world sororities are a subculture or “a segment of society’s population” on most college campuses (Macionis 64). These sororities have their own language, norms, beliefs, and values. Most college campuses have many charters or different sororities to choose from when a student wants to pledge a sorority. On the Saint Francis University campus, there are seven sororities that a female student can belong to. Each sorority has a different philanthropy which is a foundation that the sorority stands behind. For example Delta Phi Epsilon stands behind the Educational Foundation, this foundation helps women get the education that they deserve. Sororities are known for creating a bond between girls that last a life time.

A "stereotype" is a social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes. Stereotypes are generalizations made about a group and then attributed to all members of that group.

The Greek communities that have risen across the country have created huge impacts on every university that they have established themselves on. Historically, fraternities were designed for students to discreetly meet to discuss issues and host debates that their members believed would be deemed inappropriate by their collegiate faculties. Since their founding, fraternities and sororities have completely revamped their focuses. They are used as social, professional, and honorary organizations that promote many different combinations of community service, leadership, and academic success. The ideas of brotherhood and sisterhood have also transcended the college experience,

Delta Zeta, 2017, described their sorority as different, always there for each other, and a support system. Individual members said, “my favorite part are the friends I have made,” “they are so strange, but they are the best,” and “people who don’t expect me to be something I’m not” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3MfD6lvt3w).

Walking around a university’s campus any day of the week, one sees an array of Greek letters worn proudly by young men and women in the Greek system. Fraternities and sororities play a big part in a university. The Greek system can also be an easy target to direct criticism. There are those who oppose the Greek system and those who embrace it. Evan Wright opposes the Greek system in his article “Sister Act” that was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine. He uses examples from students at Ohio State University in Columbus to show his disapproval of the way sororities are now days. He portrays sorority girls as catty conformists who are obsessed with partying with fraternity

The article by Carly Stern entitled “The Outdated Double Standard Plaguing Greek Life” has a clear theme, her title states just that. The double standard that exists in Greek Life, chapter recognized organizations, is the limitations Sorority houses have. She starts out stating that “the majority of the 26 recognized sororities are forbidden from hosting parties deserving alcohol in chapter houses… even if residents are 21”. While Fraternities are given permission to host parties by paying extra in insurance to cover the cost of damages, Sororities are not allowed to do so, many of these Sororities are not even allowed to have male guests in their home as guests. With this being the 21st century women are more proactive and independent and they are breaking barriers in academia and I the professional world, but yet under national chapters Sorority sisters are being restricted.

Being in a sorority is very rewarding yet can be very time consuming. Each member that is part of a sorority has a huge role to play even if you do not hold a position within the organization. Alpha Sigma Alpha is a national sorority who is heavily involved with community service and their three national philanthropies, St. June Smith, Special Olympics, and Girls on the Run, as well as local philanthropy year after year. This source is located on Alpha Sigma Alpha’s national website that is dedicated towards the sorority’s service and giving. In this section their philanthropic statement states, “Life is not taking in only; it is giving out too. It is giving ourselves - freely - to other people, giving ourselves in comradeship, in understanding,

Target Audience In this memo, I will discuss the stereotypes of sorority girls do to the public and media. Also, I will discuss what sorority girls believe in and what they do in their chapters. I created a Sororities Life PSA to target market girls who are afraid of joining a sorority because of false accusations they hear and see about Greek life. I chose this PSA because I was one of those girls who were afraid of joining a sorority because of all the negative effects it had.

Stereotypes can be defined as sweeping generalizations about members of a certain race, religion, gender, nationality, or other group. They are made everyday in almost every society. We develop stereotypes when we are unable or unwilling to obtain all the information we would need to make fair judgments about people or situations. By stereotyping, we assume that a person or group has certain characteristics. Quite often, we develop these ideas about people who are members of groups with which we have not had firsthand contact. Stereotyping usually leads to unfair results, such as discrimination, racial profiling, and unnecessary violence, all behaviors which need to be stopped.

Little did I know, the incredible role models of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Ms. Nicki Harper and Ms. Loretta Bookman, wanted to stress the importance of being a lady, a leader and a well-rounded individual. These ladies and the Delta GEMS program influenced my curiosity so much that toward the end of high school, I researched and learned more about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I learned the members exemplify 3 of my core values: service, leadership and excellence.