Good debate and to go back to my original comment, thank you for putting forward an explanation of Morally Straight that I have not hear or considered.

Yours in Scouting

K
http://www.jabbering.co.uk

“Scoutmasters who are role models to these young men should be men. Is that discriminatory?”

Well yes, you are suggesting that a woman can not be good role models to young men. I bet every single mother in america agrees with me, I would also suggest that all those women who have been beaten or abuse by MEN would suggest that maybe MEN are not the best role models all of the time.

With regards to your idea that rough and tumble and manly things are what a BOY needs to be a MAN well I look at the Programme in the UK and believe that we provide that for all and would suggest that in most case the girls who join scouts are looking for that same rough and tumble. I would also ague that there is a proportion of young men who feel uncomfortable with that element and are far happier with maybe a more creative aspect.

I would also suggest that in every other walk of life social, employment etc these boys will need to interact, compete with the opposite sex. if Scouting in whatever country you are from is about developing young people into the adults of tomorrow then interaction and understanding of the opposite sex at as young an age as possible can only be a benefit. (I am 35 and I still have not managed to understand women they are very complicated things)

as you say – Just my opinion. Not always popular or right.

K
http://www.jabbering.co.uk

Firstly thanks, it s a good explanation and coming from outside of the US where the Morally Straight is not part of the Law it is very interesting to understand how it is viewed.

However, Not wanting to open a real can of worms but…

If as you say the Morally Straight is about “how we act towards women” surely as an organisation the BSA should give equal respect to both boys and girls who wish to partake of the programme and opportunities that scouting has to offer.

Respect is about acceptance, I have been married to my wife for six years and she is my best friend. I respect her views even if they are different to my own and would support her choice to the end. The same with my daughters, when they get to an age where they will be able to join beavers, I would love them to come into the Scouting programme but if they chose to go down the Guiding route I will respect there choice.

I know a little while ago Phil from 2.33 gallons wrote about the problems faced by female leaders in the BSA (http://www.2point33gallons.com/2011/08/the-problem-with-women-in-the-bsa.html).

I would ask is it not slightly hypocritical to be preaching about respect to the young people when that respect does not seem to be reciprocated at a senior level in Scouting?

I guess we can only hope that you youth of today will be the commissioners and chiefs of tomorrow and the lessons taught now will stay with them through life.

Yours in Scouting

Kiff

I know that all volunteers are stretched in terms of time, but during my tenure, I haven’t seen what our commissioners do. It would be nice if one of them visited all packs at least once a year.