From: Pam Glidden (pglidden@YAHOO.COM)
Date: Sun Jun 11 2000 - 13:04:28 CDT
--- "Daniel E. Smith" <dansher@SPRYNET.COM> wrote:
While in principle, I share Mr. Lazell's opinion on
the fact that Scoutmasters should be men because the
service as a male role model is fundamental to our
wonderful program, I disagree strongly that women can
not serve as Assistant Scoutmasters and in many other
vital roles within Scouting.
Good Morning,
I am trying to be as unemotional as possible. After
reading both Dan and Bob's posts this morning, I am
struggling to understand this mentality that only
males can turn boys into men, by being a positive male
role model. And that women should not serve as
Scoutmasters, or ASMs.
Gentlemen, I have to ask you, having faced such a
situation.....So what would you suggest when a brand
new troop is being started and none of those "positive
male role models" is willing to step forward and serve
in the position of Scoutmaster? And what is so
positive about that type of role model?
Because of exactly such a situation, I found myself in
the position of Scoutmaster. It had never been in MY
plans nor had it been a dream of mine. However I
discovered quickly that it was one of the most
fulfilling things I had ever done! I did not
volunteer for the position, I was requested by our DE
to fill it.
So then imagine my dismay when two years later, two of
those "positive male role models", went to the Troop
Committee Meeting and announced that they were
starting their own troop because "the boys are
uncomfortable at summer camp with Mrs. Glidden as SM.
She can see their feet under the wall of the kybo and
thus knows who is in there."
For Pete's sake, like I would care who is in there, or
like I would have the time or interest to sit there
watching the kybo just to see who was using it!
Besides, after the Committee did a survey of the boys,
it turned out that it was NOT the boys that felt that
way.
So again I ask, what is so positive about such a role
model and what would YOU suggest when faced with the
original situation of no males willing to serve as SM?
Should the boys have been turned away to different
troops rather than have a woman SM?
Still struggling to understand such thinking,
Pam Glidden
District Commissioner
Green River District
Chief Seattle Council
Washington State
PS - Thank goodness for all of my male friends in
Scouting that DID act as positive male role models and
helped me out during a very trying time!!
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