I am all for equality between genders. That’s why I thought it was a good move for the century- old Boy Scouts when I first read they will be allowing girls to enroll in the organization. But after thinking about it, it actually comes across as a disservice to the girls of Girl Scouts and the women who support them.
“The values of scouting — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, brave, and reverent for example — are important for both men and women,” said Michael Surbaugh, chief scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America in a statement. “We strive to bring what our organization does best — developing character and leadership for young people.”
Mr. Surbaugh, have you read what the Girl Scouts program is about? The Girl Scouts website states they seek to encourage young women to “unleash her inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader).”
Are women not capable or raising leaders the same way men are? Can being loyal, helpful, kind or brave not be taught by women as well as men?
It is important for girls to learn from women in leadership who are proof that they can grow into being the go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders they want to be.
The Boy Scouts may be welcoming girls, but they are not welcoming what a supportive all-girl setting can offer for young girls. By allowing girls into the Boy Scouts, they are creating an environment in which girls can feel discouraged, unattended to or too shy to build themselves up in front of young boys who may not have the maturity to allow a girl to do the same things they do or to even be better than them.
I believe in the importance of girls supporting girls, especially at a young and impressionable age.
Yes, I agree that children can learn valuable lessons from men and women. I am a product of what I have learned from my mother and father, but a lot of who I am comes from the women with whom I surround myself. They are intuitive and encouraging.
Boy Scouts allowing girls is not all that it seems to be. This may physically be putting young boys and girls on the same level as they work their way from scout to Eagle Scout, but as girls enter into the ranks, I don’t see the Boy Scouts being able to accomplish what the Girl Scouts can.
The Boy Scouts need to supply the same support, nourishment and attention to the girls admitted into the program that Girl Scouts already provides.
There is a reason why these programs have been separate and there are reasons why they should remain separate.
