BRINGING WOMEN IN, KEEPING WOMEN DOWN

Abstract

Little sister organizations are groups of women who are affiliated with men's social fraternities on college and university campuses in the United States. This study analyzes the structures and dynamics of these groups with attention to how they reflect, create, and institutionalize gender inequality. The data come from participant observation, open-ended depth interviews, official reports and documents, newspaper articles, and a survey of 110 undergraduates. The authors interviewed 17 women who were little sisters, 7 other students, and 13 campus officials and engaged in participant observation at fraternity parties and little sister events, primarily in five public universities in the Southeast. They conclude that little sister groups encourage women's subordination to, exploitation by, and dependence on, men.

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