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| Yes | 32% | 7 votes | Total: 22 votes | |
| No | 68% | 15 votes |
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Add to FavoritesGirls are allowed in the Boy Scouts currently as a part of the Venturing program. I worked at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch for a summer. I was a card-carrying Boy Scout for the summer, and I am a woman. And as far as I know, my presence (along with the many other women working there that summer) caused no undue stress or complication for the young men.
The main skills and requirements for the Scouts of all genders and ages (at least from my experience at Philmont) are to be able to come together as a group, work together, support each other, and perform outdoor tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to hiking, cooking, cleaning up after a meal, pitching a tent, packing a backpack efficiently, hanging a bear bag, and reading a map. The tasks are challenging for all members, and from my observation and experience, the young women performed just as well as the young men did.
To go to Philmont, you must be 14 or older; this is also the age when young women can join the Boy Scouts of America. So, at that point, there is no formal rule or barrier that prevents young women from joining the Scouts. The only thing stopping them at that age seems to be the ideas of those in charge, the adults who perhaps don't want, or are afraid of, change.
That said, I feel that boys should be able to join the Girl Scouts. Whatever group has the activities and focus that you're most interested in, you should be able to join that group, and not have the decision made for you because of your gender.
The skills that are developed in Scouting are stated in the Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Are these not the same qualities we want in our young women and not just our young men?
The Girl Scouts promote many of these same values. I don't feel that the concern should be whether or not girls can join the Boy Scouts, but to move toward allowing young children and young adults to join the groups that most interest them. There are young boys and men who may more enjoy the activities currently connected to the Girl Scouts.
Girls and boys, men and women are biologically different, but difference shouldn't mean exclusion. The stigma of a girl wanting to be a Boy Scout or a boy wanting to be a Girl Scout seem nothing but harmful for the child as the develop into an adult.
Celebrating those of your own gender is important; there is a special bond between women in groups, and I assume it is the same for men. But don't let that celebration keep children in a set and rigid gender role. Allow for freedom of interest and expression. Without change and difference, there is no growth.
Learn more about this author, Kristin Conard.
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No
Boy Scouts are for boys and Girl Scouts are for girls. Neither should be allowed to join the other group.
Boy Scouts are an active group, spending a lot of time in the outdoors learning camping and hiking skills. They have fun, partake in sports, and learn how to get along with others and help those less fortunate.
Children in the age range of Boy Scouts need to be differentiated in an effort to allow them to focus on their own gender and how to make good choices because of their gender. Mixing boys and girls together in the intensity of Scouts' programs may result in a propensity towards sex at an early age. With sex and inappropriate language so prevalent in society (television, movies, music), the fact that the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts remain separate from each other is increasingly important. Pushed together at too early an age is a recipe for teenage pregnancy, sexual diseases, and violence.
Girl should not be allowed in the Boy Scouts, but the Girl Scouts should have similar programs in order for girls to learn the skills and sports in which they want to partake.
If the question of girls being "forced" to learn only traditional women things, such as cooking and cleaning are the issue, then the whole concept of Scouting perhaps needs to be reconsidered. Girls should be allowed to learn hiking and camping skills and take part in programs that are generally more physical. Girls are capable of handling difficult issues, enjoying outdoor activities, and should be involved in healthy competition.
Girls have their own group and that group is geared toward them in a unique way. Girls and boys have different needs when growing up and those needs should be discussed and understood by each group individually. Putting girls and boys together in one group may cause embarrassment or ridicule from the other gender at a time when privacy is important and should be respected.
As the girls and boys reach teenage years, there should be controlled and supervised interaction between the groups, yet each gender should stay in their respective group. Learning to interact socially and morally can, and should, be a part of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Some sharing of programs can be allowed in these years, but both genders need to be properly chaperoned at all times.
Parents should seriously consider if they truly want their young daughters to join the Boy Scouts. In my opinion, it is not a suitable arrangement. And, parents should consider if they truly want their sons to be distracted by young girls. The distraction could cause accidents or injuries through showing off or pride.
Keep the girls out of the Boy Scouts. If parents of girls feel that Girl Scouts do not offer activities that are intense enough for their daughter, then the parents need to speak with the local girl Scout troop leaders. If no solution is found, look into other programs such as through offered your local YMCA.
Learn more about this author, Jinianne Lutz.
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