Re: Body piercing (health risks vs. self-expression)
Jan Mussler (mussler@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Sat, 27 Sep 1997 07:11:57 -0600
Hi Bob and all! One way to educate the Scouts on these issues is to have
a frank discussion about these issues and be allowed to give some input as
the adult leader. With Cubs, being less "boy-run", I can "lead" the
conversation a bit. I try not to however.
My Scouts and I, to qualify for the National Den Award, did our three
Ethics in Action. One of those was the one which required making a public
service announcement. While making our storyboard and posters and kicking
around ideas, one of the boys came up with "No Tattoos" as his PSA. I
thought this was novel and certainly in keeping with the current fads. We
took some time to talk about why they thought it wasn't a good idea and I
added some knowledge about needles, infection etc. It took all of 5
minutes.
This past week, one of the Scouts mentioned that Arnold Swartzenegger (sp)
was in the hospital, presumedly for abusing steroids. This was during our
Opening Remarks during den. We digressed from Showman puppet instructions
to a discussion on why steroids wouldn't be a good thing for growing
bodies. Again, no lecture, a dicussion.
If jewelry comes up (and aren't our neckerchief slides jewelry), we will
discuss what is safe and what is not for the activities we are doing. If
we are having a running game, then that long Native American necklace
might not be appropriate to wear for safety reasons. Same with dangling
earrings. I don't wear them to work with my Scouts. I might get hurt.
I've also showed the boys how to tuck the tails of their neckerchief
when sawing. After one of the boys cut his hat with scissors, we sure
can't have any more mishaps with uniform parts.
YIS,
Jan Mussler, Webelos Den Leader, Pack 170
Nederland, CO - Long's Peak Council
Arapahoe District
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
