From: Jim Peterson (jpeterson@TZNET.COM)
Date: Sun Jun 11 2000 - 15:53:02 CDT
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Lazell <rlazell@QED.NET>
><snip>
>Be that as it may, I agree, selection should be based on skills and
desire
>to help, but you, as a women cannot by definition have the "skill" to
be a
>man. That is what a SM or ASM needs to do his job of a positive MALE
>role-model. Boys need men in that position if you wish to be true to
what
>Scouting is all about. <snip>
I tried to stay out of this, but ... I'm looking at the Scoutmaster
Handbook, pg. 3:
"Scoutmaster Qualifications
These are the minimum requirements for becoming a Scoutmaster:
* Be at least 21 years of age.
* Be an American Citizen.
* Agree to live by the Scout Oath and Law.
* Be approved by the troop's chartered organization."
The book then goes on to suggest that "you should look into your heart
and give some real thought to your motivations.
*Do you care about young people? Assuring their well-being physically
and emotionally is a basic responsibilty of every scout leader.
* Are you willing to teach boys how to be leaders and then allow them
the opportunity to lead? The patrol method developed by Lord Robert
S.S. Baden Powell, Scouting's founder, provides clear structure in
which boys can exercise meaningful leadership.
* Will you serve as a role model for young people? The scouts in your
troop will look up to you for guidance on a number of levels, many of
them unspoken. The way you treat others, provide leadership, and act
during meetings and on Scout outings will influence Scout's actions.
What you do will be every bit as important as what you say."
I don't see anything in these requirements and guidelines that suggest
that women are unfit to serve as SM or SA. I believe that Scouters who
have the attitude that Scouting is a man's domain should especially
consider the last statement in the quote above ... "What you do will
be every bit as important as what you say." You may say to your Scouts
that women are equal and that they deserve their respect, but by
refusing to allow women who volunteer to be SM or SA to serve (and the
boys _will_ find out the Mrs. X wanted to be SA, but the committee
said no, because she's a woman) you send just the opposite message.
Page 8&9 of the SM Handbook discusses the methods of Scouting.
"Method 5 - Association with adults" (notice, it doesn't say "male
adults").
"Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves.
Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of their
troops. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys,
encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a
profound difference in their lives."
Once again, no mention of "positive _male_ role models". Just positive
role models. As a former day care provide and current elementary
school teacher, I have frequently been called a "positive male role
model," by the parents of the children I interact with and by my
employers. I'm not just a positive male role model to the boys I work
with, but also to the girls. Girls need positive male role models just
as much as boys do. By the same token, boys need positive _female_
role models as well as positive male role models to grow into men with
the interpersonal skills to function in today's society. What Scouting
needs, IMHO, is positive _adult_ role models of both genders.
YiS,
____________________________________________________
Jim Peterson Scoutmaster, Troop 379, Blenker, WI
Scoutmaster, Samoset Council Contingent,
National Jamboree 2001
reply to jpeterson@tznet.com
I used to be a "Singing" Eagle - C-8L-97
***********Character***********Fitness***********Citizenship**********
