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One of the great things in Scouting is that we are a movement with very broad
shoulders. There really is and should be room for everybody.

As I see it, there are two examples to be set; adult leadership and male
leadership

Examples of adult leadership can be set by all adults -- I don't know of any
organization who believes that both men and women are not equally capable of
providing and setting the example for adult leadership

Male leadership -- ah, there's the rub. This can be an area of some
substantial disagreement. Personally, I believe that the styles and
examples set by women of leadership are every bit as valid for "male
leadership" as are the styles and examples set by men. But I understand
that for some organizations, some religions and some persons, there are very
strongly sex determined leadership roles -- Men do this; women do that -- and
both the men and women in those organizations accept and by and large embrace
those roles.

And this is, I believe, why the matter of "male leadership" can be very much
a matter of sponsor choice. If the sponsor strongly believes that men and
women are equal in their leadership roles and responsibilities, then that
should be reflected in their Troop's leadership and in the example that they
set for their youth. On the other hand, if the sponsor strongly believes
that men and women have leadership roles which are very strongly sex typed,
then it is likely very appropriate for that sponsor to choose and recruit
leaders for their Troops based on sex (among other characteristics) and to
set the example for their youth that men and women have very different roles.

I would be very troubled if a woman were told "You are not permitted to be an
assistant Scoutmaster anywhere." But I believe I would be equally troubled
if a sponsor were told "You must accept this woman as an assistant
Scoutmaster even though her serving in that position is contrary to your
beliefs." A woman and a mother should be able to find a unit where she can
participate as a leader if she so chooses and where her son will enjoy
Scouting in that environment. It might not be the Troop which her son first
joins. I do acknowledge that in a small town, particularly a one Troop town,
things might get challenging.

Scouting is not a social welfare group and really, it is not in the forefront
of social progress. Rather, it reflects community standards and provides
its participants and sponsors with a powerful tool to work with their youth
and to provide them citizenship, character and fitness flavored with their
unique beliefs. It is a big tent and my Troop provided by my sponsor in my
community may do things very differently from your Troop provided by your
sponsor in your community.

Best wishes,

Neil Lupton

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