(no subject)
Rick Seymour (Rick@INQUIRY.NET)
Wed, 3 Mar 1999 17:50:16 -0500
Scouting should be a safe haven, not a source of shame. A Scout's
values are expressed by his actions, not by what he wears. This is
the Spirit of Scouting.
A dedicated Scouter writes:
> The BSA has designed a sturdy uniform.
There are no objective criteria by which the sturdiness of the BSA
Uniform compares favorably with the 41% cheaper USA made BDU.
Just to say it is sturdy 'don't make it so. For close-up photos of
the construction of the BSA Uniform vs. the BDU see:
http://www.kudu.net/uniform/bdu.htm
> It is the uniform of a Scout. I am proud to wear it. If it
> were kilts and a sash, I would be proud to wear it
> because it represents being a Scout.
It is not a uniform *worthy* of a Scout. It is a uniform designed
by a dress designer, Oscar De Laurento. It is a piece of puff
designed to be worn indoors for what Baden-Powell dismissed as
"parlor scouting."
Adults could learn to be proud of a Uniform that boys want to wear.
A good Uniform would represent the same core values and maybe
something more.
But go back and read between the lines. What we are saying is that
if Irving decided the Uniform were a kilt, we would force our
Scouts to wear clothing that to American boys looks like a *dress*.
When we don't look at the Uniform from the Scout's point of view we
are talking about force, be it ever so subtile. To force an
adolescent boy to cross gender roles is the most clear-cut example
of hazing imaginable. This is a good example of how Wood Badge
peer pressure fosters blind obedience to the authority of Irving
against the best interests of the Scouts.
Try this experiment: at the next Wood Badge gathering you attend,
boldly announce, "I am proud to wear my Uniform. If it were kilts
and a sash, I would be proud to wear it because it represents being
a Scout." Someone won't be able to resist making a witty quip at
your expense, but someone else will be quick to congratulate you on
your "loyalty to Scouting" or your commitment to the Uniform. The
majority of them will utter murmurs of agreement.
Yeah, someone may joke that its hard enough to get them into
Uniforms as it is, but will anyone make a statement from the Scouts
point of view? Will anyone spoil the moment by telling you that
Scouting is not about how choked up we adults get about what the
Uniform means to us? No.
We need more Baden-Powell in Wood Badge and less "Eleven
Skills" nonsense. How about changing it to "Three Skills of
Leadership" and read a chapter of B-P's *Aids to Scoutmastership*
each night as a bedtime story?
> The comment above quoted [high school pledging]
> is misplaced to say the least. The military does the
> same thing, and are the most authoritarian of all adults.
Our own Black Eagle makes the same mistake. To wear clothing
designed to withstand the rigors of war is not to adopt the
military method of basic training. Baden-Powell, the most famous
general of his century, broke off his association with the Boys'
Brigade because he felt that drill was not appropriate training for
boys. B-P would not even use drill in training his army scouts
because it dulled their "pluck" and judgement.
> The writer of the above quote has at least got part
> of it right, whether he knew or not. It is about fashion,
> nothing more.
What is wrong with fashion when form follows function?
Is there a downside? Better Scout pants already exist, why
reinvent the wheel? All Irving need do is change suppliers
and call it Official. Why do you suppose they don't?
> Current youth fashion tends to Army surplus like pants.
> So thats what is desired. Thirty years ago Scout pants
> were nerdy because they were loose when tight pants
> were fashionable. Now they are tight when loose pants
> are fashionable.
Thirty years is twice the average age of Scouts. Why should
the boys now involved in Scouting have to suffer because their
grandfathers liked tight pants?
Tight clothing increases heat loss and restricts the free flow of
blood. It is a hazard in cold weather camping.
> ...I never got cold, cause I didn't get wet. So the idea
> is to get a kid to give up his cheap cotton underwear
> and buy expensive polypro. And this at the same time
> that we are saying the problem with the uniform is that
> it is not something everyone can afford? I'm missing
> something.
Here we cross the line. Hazing is no longer acceptable in the
armed forces and in many University frats because it gets out
of hand. Bad judgement causes death. Cotton underwear may
be acceptable for young Scouts camping in heated cabins, but
it can also cause death. When we adults role model an inferior
Uniform we teach the Scouts not to trust their own judgement.
When we then encourage cotton long underwear that can kill them,
what are we doing? Scouts are safer trusting their peers than
trusting the judgement of adults who do not respect their feelings.
If a Scout buys USA made BDUs rather than Scout pants, he
can invest the $14 savings on polypro. It might save his life.
I have found good *medium* weight polypro marked down to as little
as $6 per top and bottom at this time of year. Now is the time to
look. If you care about the safety of your Scouts, do it this
week.
> If we have program, boys will come. If we have adventure,
> boys will be interested. If we can teach something, we will
> have been successful. And if they learn and if they are truly
> inspired by the adventure and the program, they will wear
> the uniform.
If we don't make our Scouts look like fools, our program will be
even more attractive and change the lives of many more people.
Even Irving believes in numbers.
> Wood Badge is correct. Setting the example is worthwhile.
This is the dark side of Wood Badge. We should all be ashamed.
I receive a lot of private Email from Wood Badgers who quietly
agree that the Scout Uniform should be a source of joy for Scouts,
as Baden-Powell intended. Thank you all for your encouragement,
but you need to stand up for what you know is right.
> The only thing I do not wear regularly are the socks....
Scout socks cause blisters because they are made out of cotton.
No Scout should ever wear them.
Congratulations on not wearing the socks! You know what they say
about the longest journey :-/
Yours in the Spirit of Scouting,
Rick Seymour
"He never made a Scout feel *awkward*. He was always at the back
of you, urging you on!"
