Sorority Rituals - Reflections On Rites of ... - Mari Ann Callais

ecome productive and caring people. Sororities have an opportunity to provide this type of
experience as long as it is true to the real purpose of the organization and its original intent.
Over the years, markers for adulthood have changed. The rites of passages that once were
significant for previous generations are being prolonged, or in some cases, no longer exist. With
people delaying marriage until their late 20’s or early 30’s and the drinking age being raised,
people taking longer to complete a college degree, etc, many individuals moving through the
adolescent to adulthood process are very unclear as to when the transition occurs. Newton (1995)
explains that "the lack of a clear entry to adulthood status sends ripples of confusion back
through the adolescent period" (p. 29). The opinion of many university administrators,
community members, parents, and even students is that this same uncertainty of transition to
adulthood often times is what happens in sororities and fraternities. These organizations,
structurally, can provide this type of environment. The question that continues to be a challenge
is: do they? Are these organizations establishing environments that challenge young men and
women to hold themselves and others accountable and are they making the transition to
responsible young adults?
Newton (1995) refers to Gilligan’s distinction between male and female development to
describe how the stages that he presents have addressed sex differences as they relate to the
transition from adolescence to adulthood and the concept of rites of passage. He states that the
young female can continue a close relationship with the mother as a role model and supporter for
her own female development. Expectations for females involves nurture, relationship, and
cooperation (Newton, 1995). This could relate to the sorority experience for a young woman who
is away from her mother figure and looking for a role model, or in the case of a sorority, “role
models” who will be involved in the nurturing, caring relationship. Newton (1995) reminds us of
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