There’s a lot happening in the world of Scouts these days!
Let me share a bit of my personal experience: in my town, Scouting is pretty popular. My daughter is thriving as a Brownie, thanks to the amazing moms who put their heart into the program. On the flip side, my son tried Cub Scouts but didn’t stick with it, which was a bummer for my husband, a former Boy Scout himself. It just wasn’t his thing, and while many of his buddies remained committed, he opted out.
Honestly, it was tough for me to decide to let him join. Joining Brownies was a no-brainer, but the Boy Scouts have had their share of issues with inclusivity. They only lifted their ban on gay Scouts last year, and there still seems to be some internal conflict about it. However, our local troop reflects the values of our community, and once I realized my son wouldn’t encounter any anti-gay rhetoric, I set my doubts aside and signed him up.
Today’s news highlights the stark differences between the two organizations and potentially their futures. What’s the latest for the boys? No more water gun battles. They can still shoot at targets, but not at each other—because Scouts are supposed to be kind, and shooting at friends, even with water, is apparently not kind.
People are chuckling about it, but I see where they’re coming from. Some types of play are rougher, but that doesn’t mean they’re unkind. I remember my daughter rushing in one day, excited to change into her bathing suit so my son could shoot her with a water gun. They both thought it was a great idea! No battle, just him kindly drenching her.
Meanwhile, the Girl Scouts are facing backlash for allowing transgender girls to join if they are “recognized by their family and school/community and live culturally as girls.” The American Family Association is leading the protests, raising concerns about the acceptance of transgender identities.
This is a complex issue, and diving into it would require more time than I have right now. As a society, we’re navigating a significant shift as gay marriage becomes normalized in state after state. Influential figures like Alex Morgan and Laverne Cox have shed light on the prevalence of transgender experiences, prompting discussions we’ve never had before about our laws and social values.
I truly want both organizations to flourish, but I see the Girl Scouts as forward-thinking, while the Boy Scouts seem lagging behind. They still don’t permit gay troop leaders (though changes are on the horizon), and while the water gun policy is well-intentioned, it feels a bit disconnected from reality. There’s nothing unkind about a friendly water gun fight, after all!
The Boy Scouts had it right when they acknowledged that “while people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting.” The Girl Scouts recognize the need for progress to remain relevant. As early as 2009, they focused on reaching urban and minority girls while covering essential topics like environmental awareness and engineering. As Eileen Doyle, vice president of program at the Girl Scouts of the USA, put it, “We can maintain consistency in our goals while being fun, edgy, and challenging for modern girls.”
So, Boy Scouts, take note.
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Summary:
The article discusses the distinct paths of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the context of contemporary social issues. It highlights the Boy Scouts’ recent policy changes and their struggle with inclusivity, while praising the Girl Scouts for their progressive stance and adaptability. The author emphasizes the importance of kindness in play and urges the Boy Scouts to learn from the innovative approaches of the Girl Scouts.