Smoking Scouters
Jon R. Smith (jrsmith@MAIL.GTE.NET)
Sun, 30 Mar 1997 19:53:01 -0500
Well, I'd like to jump into this fray and offer my opinion.
With the recent Liggett news, I think it's fair to say that smoking is
not good for you (is that understatement?). The Surgeon General has
been saying it for years and there's the warning on the side of every
pack of cigarettes. But I don't think that this point is necessarily
the issue here. The issue is smoking at Scouting activities.
The viewpoint I'd like to raise is one of reviewing the basics of
Scouting, i.e., the Aims and Methods of Scouting, and what that means.
The Aims of Scouting are:
Growth in moral strength and character.
Participating citizenship.
Development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
The Methods of Scouting are:
Advancement Method
Adult Association
Personal Growth
Ideals of Scouting
Patrol Method
Outdoor Activity
Leadership Development
Uniforming (or positive youth image)
After reviewing these, I would venture to say that the smoking incident
in question violates both the Aims and Methods of Scouting. Remember,
we are showing boys how to be men, good men, men of character,
forthrightness, and ideals. We do little to advance that goal if we do
not practice what we preach. In fact, we show ourselves to be
hypocrites who say "Do as I say, not as I do." I fully understand that
we are not, by any means, perfect, and that we will make mistakes. But
I think, given that, the characteristic we would want the boys to
emulate is one where we adults recognize our mistakes, apologize for
them, if necessary, and try to get it right the next time.
I truly am sorry for those who are smokers and cannot quit, probably
through the influence of other adults before you. But one's "right" to
smoke is not a right to pass on that habit to the next generation. The
boys need the "Adult Association" for the examples we adults set on how
to live and act as an adult. If you're a Scouter, you live in a
Scouting fishbowl. The boys will be watching, and not just at Scouting
events, but everywhere! Ask yourself, are you the model that you want
to boys to emulate? Do you display the traits and characteristics you
would like the boys to have? It's not easy and sometimes a pain because
we all have our moments of weakness, but I think, if you try, the boys
will be better for your trying and so will you. And it only takes an
hour a week!
YIS, Jon Smith, ASM, T-11, Brandon, FL
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
