by Jinianne Lutz

Created on: September 28, 2009

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.

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