My family has proudly been involved with scouting for three generations. My grandfather joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1960, marking a significant year for the organization. Due to severe asthma, he couldn’t partake in sports, so scouting became his gateway to adventure, purpose, and lifelong memories. One of his treasured moments was when he presented our son with a neckerchief slider from the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1964. Shaped like a fist, my son wore it proudly to his first meeting when he joined scouting in the BSA’s 100th anniversary year.
My grandfather achieved the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout, and when we cleared his closet after he passed away in 2012, we uncovered countless memories he had meticulously preserved from his scouting days. Being a Boy Scout was integral to the man he became, and he wore that pride until the end.
Just like him, my siblings and I were enrolled in scouting from an early age. I was a Girl Scout while my grandfather served as the Cub Master for my brothers’ Cub Scout pack. I fondly recall watching him lead songs, preside over ceremonies, and return home from camping trips covered in mud. Family was always included in Cub Scout meetings, and I still cherish the camaraderie from annual Blue and Gold dinners and popcorn sales at local stores.
Naturally, when my son was old enough, he was eager to join a Cub Scout pack. I felt a wave of nostalgia at our first pack meeting, seeing the Cub Master lead songs and watching my son proudly earn his ranks. I can only imagine how much joy it would have brought my grandfather to share those experiences with my son.
While I appreciate the Boy Scouts for the invaluable experiences they’ve given my son, I cannot overlook their troubling gender policies. My daughter has grown up attending Cub Scout meetings, participating in activities, and befriending the boys in their blue and tan uniforms. She has raced Pinewood Derby cars and contributed to the annual Scouting for Food drive since she was four.
She loves Boy Scouting. She’s enthusiastic about it and supports their initiatives. Yet, she is barred from joining simply because she is a girl.
We enrolled her in Girl Scouts when she started kindergarten, and I treasure all the memories she’s made with her troop. Her leaders have instilled confidence in her, and the friendships she has formed are invaluable as she navigates the tricky tween years. However, my daughter will not receive the same recognition as her brother when he achieves the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.
Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a considerable accomplishment, recognized widely in society. Many influential figures, including politicians and CEOs, proudly claim this title. When my son shares he is on the brink of achieving this rank, he is welcomed into a respected community.
It’s a clear reflection of systemic bias. The Girl Scouts have their own highest honor, the Gold Award, which requires significant effort to earn. But let’s face it: it doesn’t carry the same societal weight. When was the last time you heard about a girl earning the Gold Award? Now consider how often you see news stories about boys earning their Eagle rank or working on their Eagle projects. The disparity is glaring, and the Eagle rank is simply held in higher esteem.
Only boys have the privilege of listing the Eagle Scout rank on their resumes, a distinction that opens doors and signifies capability. Only boys can walk into a job interview and know their interviewer might also be an Eagle Scout.
Hey, BSA, it’s 2023. The outdated notions of misogyny and exclusion need to be dismantled. Women today are breaking glass ceilings in all fields, and yet we continue to uphold the idea that boys and girls must be separated in scouting.
What’s the justification for excluding my daughter? The notion that she might somehow corrupt the boys is outdated and frankly absurd. This isn’t about mixed sleeping arrangements or shared bathrooms; it’s about creating a level playing field where girls can excel just like boys do. Girls are interested in archery, hiking, and campfire tales too. They deserve equal recognition for their efforts.
It’s time for the BSA to allow my daughter the opportunity to earn the Eagle rank and to have the same doors opened for her as they do for her brother. If that means I have to be the mom who fights to remove every barrier in her way, then so be it. As a proud Girl Scout, I’m ready to pave that path.
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In summary, it’s time for the Boy Scouts of America to embrace inclusivity and acknowledge the need for change. Girls deserve the same opportunities as boys, including the chance to earn the Eagle Scout rank and be recognized for their achievements.
Keyphrase: Boy Scouts gender equality
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