Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities

By Alexandra Robbins

Book Overview

Alexandra Robbins wanted to find out if the stereotypes about sorority girls were actually true, so she spent a year with a group of girls in a typical sorority. The sordid behavior of sorority girls exceeded her worst expectations -- drugs, psychological abuse, extreme promiscuity, racism, violence, and rampant eating disorders are just a few of the problems. But even more surprising was the fact that these abuses were inflicted and endured by intelligent, successful, and attractive women. Why is the desire to belong to a sorority so powerful that women are willing to engage in this type of behavior -- especially when the women involved are supposed to be considered 'sisters'? What definition of sisterhood do many women embrace? Pledged combines a sharp-eyed narrative with extensive reporting and the fly-on-the-wall voyeurism of reality shows to provide the answer.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401300464
• ISBN13: 9781401300463
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Fast Engaging Read

This was a terrific read, whether you're a member of a sorority or not (I am actually a member). MAybe some of the things that happen inthe book aren't true of every sorority but come on, we all know that this stuff does go on in some places. I was fascinated by this book by the stories that sounded familiar to me and the ones that didn't. It was better than fiction.

It's not only about being Greek, it's about being female

As Alexandra noted in the end - it's not a book merely about the sororities, it's a book about women treating women. Yes, there is hazning in other organizations, clubs and such, but since they're not exclusively female they wouldn't be so helpful in analyzing the group dynamics. I've been working with the Greek houses on a state school campus for a while, and The book is very true. I can see how someone who's Greek could be offended by it, - maybe you don't see the bigger picture? I personally didn't even think the book was to critisize the Greeks - just give an overview of a group often overlooked.

sadly accurate

I am a currently graduating member of an NPC sorority at a large campus. I read this book out of curiosity, but I came out feeling like I'd just seen my life in the mirror. "Dress Checks",binge drinking, and "selling the sorority" were what I endured for several years. I did not encounter everything that Robbins talked about, like hazing and drug abuse, but I absolutely believe that this book is a fairly accurate representation of what goes on in these societies. I don't think that Robbins is trying to say that every sorority is like this, but the abuses she sees cannot be ignored in good conscience. Sororities will probably never change, but I hope that sisters will read this book and allow themselves to recognize their own lives in it.