In a significant shift, the Mormon Church has announced its decision to sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), marking the end of a partnership that has lasted over a century. This announcement comes amidst a series of transformative changes within the BSA, which has been re-evaluating its policies on inclusivity and gender.
In recent years, the BSA has made headlines for its progressive moves: in 2014, it lifted its ban on gay members, and by 2015, it also allowed gay leaders. The organization took further strides toward acceptance when it announced, following a legal case involving an 8-year-old transgender boy, that scouts could join based on their self-identified genders. Most recently, the BSA revealed plans to welcome girls into its ranks and will rebrand itself as Scouts BSA starting February 2019 to reflect these inclusive policies.
The Mormon Church, historically one of the BSA’s largest sponsors, currently has around 425,000 boys enrolled in its programs. As of December 31, 2019, all boys from the LDS community will transition out of the BSA and into a newly developed “uniform youth leadership and development program” tailored by the Church. This initiative aims to provide leadership and life skills training in alignment with the values of the Church.
A statement from the Church outlined its intentions: “For years, Church leaders have been preparing a new initiative to teach and provide leadership and development opportunities to all children and youth, to support families and to strengthen youth everywhere as they develop faith in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” This new program is designed to help both girls and boys understand their eternal identity and develop character and resilience.
However, many are questioning the timing of this announcement, which comes right after the BSA’s decision to allow girls to join and its name change. Critics on social media have suggested that the Church’s split with the BSA is more than just a coincidence.
This departure represents a substantial loss for the BSA, which may struggle to sustain its membership numbers without the support of its largest troop sponsor. Nevertheless, the BSA’s initiative to include all children, irrespective of their gender identity, could lead to a more diverse and vibrant organization.
In this evolving landscape of youth organizations, those interested in family and parenting topics can check out other related resources, such as an excellent guide on pregnancy and home insemination at Healthline. If you’re considering home insemination, you might also find value in exploring our post about artificial insemination kits, which can be found here. For more insights on family dynamics and parenting, don’t forget to visit Modern Family Blog.
Summary
The Mormon Church has decided to cut ties with the Boy Scouts of America after over 100 years of partnership, coinciding with the BSA’s recent inclusivity changes. The Church plans to create its own youth development program, which aims to instill leadership and faith in children. While the split is a significant loss for the BSA, the organization’s move toward inclusivity may help it adapt to changing societal norms.