Language and gender (BSA)

I looked at the headers on my messages today ... one was " Cross Dressing
at Camp " and the other was " Cubmaster as Stripper "

Then I realised that the CubMASTER (sic) was female and not the cross dresser
at camp. <g> I know that Cubs are a bit young to have mistresses, but
stripping Cub Masters ? Maybe BSA needs to use the gender neutral Cub
LEADER ?

But on a serious note, I have always felt that the title Scout MASTER
(or Scout Mistress for that matter ) is inappropriate for the last five
hundred days of the twentieth century. Surely we are Scout LEADERS who
should be leading by example, not " masters " who impose authority on
inferiors ?

This is not a matter of gender PC, more a definition of roles and
relationships. As a LEADER I see myself as a counsellor / adviser /
facilitator and also as an adult who has a legal and moral responsibility
for the health, safety and welfare of young people entrusted to my care.
That does not mean that the relationship should be of a master and a
subordinate. What do others think ?

Ian Ford
London UK

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