The Impact Of Sorority Rush On Self-Objectification Of Women

The basis of what many people think of sororities are simple. Emphasis on partying, a “hook-up” culture, social hierarchy, discernment based on appearance, competition between women, and a fairly obvious one, the objectification of women’s body types. What I think of a sorority is strong, intelligent, independent women who strive to participate in philanthropy events for various causes, creating an significant impact by doing charity work with “sisters” we love. Many sororities have connections to jobs, and the idea of having a “sisterhood” and a relationship with women across the U.S and Canada who share the same values and secrets is remarkable in my eyes.

Rationale Research is the epitome to support and answer topics regarding the correlation
“Here’s looking at You: Self Objectification, Body Image Disturbance, and Sorority Rush” by Ashley Marie Rolnik, Renee Engeln-Maddox and Steven A. Miller. Personally having never experienced issues regarding self-objectification and body image, I was surprised when I came across this article and thought it made an impact on my research. This article is able to help me identify two very significant issues surrounding women that I completely disregarded. Sorority membership has the ability to influence body image and sexual objectification in women. This study investigated the impact of sorority rush on self-objectification as well as body image disturbance. The study consisted of first-year undergraduate women who were either participating or not participating in sorority rush at the Midwestern university in the U.S. Surveys were completed online. The prediction was that rush participants would lead to an increase in self-objectification, which would also lead to increases in body shame and eating disorders. The results supported these predictions and it also showed that body mass index predicted dropping out of the rush process. These results were extremely appalling and although I believe that the study was accurately done and the results are true, this article forced me to accept that people may always think that sororities are based on appearance as suggested in the article due to 2 minute conversations in the rush process. However, in my methodology and interviews, I can argue the improvements and changes sororities are making towards these stereotypes of judging women by appearance. Through personal experience, I can argue that we look above and beyond beauty, and that my chapter has accepted women of all sizes. In fact, we have recently argued to the Panhellenic council about giving all sorority women the