Berkowitz and Padavic's research shows how prior status and economic security of black and

Question

white females carries over to influence key values and behaviors in the college context.
Describe the process through which this occurs.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Berkowitz and Padavic's research portrays the process through which sorority system
structure and process differs according to the socio-historical roots of their members. White
females orientation toward the sorority was very life phase oriented (mainly for the college
years), in which they viewed the primary purpose of the sorority experience was social
–dating and snaring a husband—which promoted values toward passivity, subservience, and
domesticity in marriage and life. Sororities were a means toward establishing and promoting
social prestige, learning to promote one's attractability toward men, and for having a fun
experience during the college years.
Black college female sororities were very different, in that black women viewed the sorority
as a mechanism to enhance life career opportunity, and to network for the betterment of the
person, race, and community. Black sororities were very career and success oriented, with
limited interest in social prestige and dating activities. Black females had historic images of
strong, independent, self reliant black women, and did not expect to count upon men to
support the family or necessarily to be life long partners. Berkowitz suggests the difference in
values is a reflection of the historical condition of the different categories, in that historical
slavery limited the capacity of black males to provide for the family unit, and it was necessary
for females to provide essential economic support. Thus, black mothers taught their daughters
to be self-reliant and career oriented.