Rush to Straightness: Compulsory Heterosexuality in Greek Letter Organizations

Abstract

The social power observed within collegiate fraternities and sororities has long been a source of interest for social psychologists in observing their organizations’ social influences and ability to foster group mentality amongst their members. Limited research, however, has been conducted in analyzing how the powerful socialization of fraternities and sororities can influence the behavior of their queer members and their ability to instill an environment for compulsory heterosexuality within their spheres. This literature review seeks to define and investigate the role of social-collegiate fraternities and sororities in influencing compulsory heterosexuality behavior in their members. This review breaks down the components of compulsory heterosexuality and addresses the ways in which collegiate Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs) adhere to this phenomenon by examining their influence on identity formation, heteronormativity, and sexism and gender expectations. This review also warns against leaving this environment unchallenged by examining the relationship between compulsory heterosexuality, the fostering of toxic masculinity, and the prevalence of rape culture within fraternities.