Re: Some motivational help needed here (Don't mandate the Eagle
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Mon, 12 Jan 1998 16:23:20 -0700
Robert, et al
Your point is well taken (i.e., "never say never") but in general, I would
have to respectfully disagree. I will not presume to express an opinion
about the particular situation you describe since I have no concept of the
details or chronology. I can only base my comments on considerable years
of experience and events which have firmly convinced me that negative
reinforcement such as the "deprivation of the privilege of a driver's
license to mandate earning an Eagle award" is inappropriate.
The situation you describe does seem to be a somewhat more positive
approach. (I assume the "negative" was that if you didn't earn Eagle, you
would have to remain in Scouts until you "aged out?") Moreover, it would
appear that the "mountain-top" experiences you did have after receiving
the award had monumental impact on your life. Is it possible, that the
opportunity of such experiences prior to receiving the award might have
had similar impact? My experience has been most assuredly along those
lines. Those Scouts who participate in a Jamboree, or a high adventure
base, join Explorers or something that really "sparks" their interest are
often then highly motivated to achieve the Eagle.
I know of a few Eagles who were "negatively motivated" and achieved the
Award mainly because their parents manipulated them into it. They left
Scouting as soon as they got the award and were not seen again. I am
convinced that the Eagle Award meant very little to them under these
circumstances. Certainly this is not always the case as you point out.
However I think for these few it was a "hollow" victory, as I previously
commented. Yes, they have the "medal",
but does it really mean as much to them, as to those who fervently and
enthusiastically sought and achieved the award because it was their desire
and decision to seek it? My experience suggests it does not..
Achievement of the Eagle is not an "end"...it is a commencement of a way of
life, to be lived each day.
It takes work, infinite patience and creative effort to effectively and
positively motivate youth to achieve. It doesn't always succeed. It is
far easier just to say "if you don't do X, then
you can't have y." Much of our society is based on this punitive
model, passed on from generation to generation, so it is obvious that for
many, it becomes the "accepted" method for stimulating achievement. For
some issues, in a parent-child relationship, this has to be, but should
not, in the case of earning the Eagle Rank. Baden-Powell's concept of
Scouting as a "game with a purpose" which is first of all fun, and
secondarily a vessel for achievement is a timelessly effective method.
In the many years I have been in
Scouting, I have seen it done both ways, and invariably, the parents and
leaders who take the extra effort to positively motivate the youth to
achieve the rank are vastly more successful than those who compel. Much
of it is simply "walking the talk" (e.g., those parents who go on
campouts, help with troop events, serve as merit badge counselors, drive
Scouts to events, serve as leaders, or whatever; by their actions, set a
very positive role model for their children and others.) In short, they
invest their time and resources where they are most needed, directly with
their children.
Conversely, those who drop
their child off at Scouts and pick them up, (and that's the last you ever
see of them until the next meeting) tend to have far more difficulty with
motivating their children as effectively. Some even have the attitude of
"that's not my job...that's why you get 'paid' to be a Scout leader.."
(This is not a joke; I actually had a parent say that to me...After I
recovered my composure, then I replied," well then, I guess I need a
'raise'.")
It is acknowledged that impacts and competition for time and resources
with of single-parents, and economically disadvantaged, certainly
can affect their ability to contribute to the unit effort; but frankly, I
have seen parents who are in both categories contribute far more than
many who easily could do more; yet for whatever reason don't see the need
to be as involved with their child and his Scouting interests.
The bottom line, of course, is the youth; and most leaders
will do all within their power to positively motivate youth with varying
degrees of parental support, to earn the Eagle.
Best wishes
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
On Mon, 12 Jan 1998, Robert Losee wrote:
>
> Never is a pretty strong word and easily refuted by a single example.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
