I've never been on a 50 mile bike ride. Or built a snow cave. Or any of those things because I was a girl. I have issues about that. Seriously? Because I was a girl? My brothers did those things. And whether or not they liked the experience is beside the point. They had the opportunity.
I assume I wouldn't like learning to spelunk, or swimming upside down, or whatever else they do. But how do I really know? I never had the opportunity to try. Perhaps I could have been the next Lance Armstrong. Perhaps I would have chosen to move to the Arctic and live with the Inuit People and build snow caves all the time.
Alas. I shall never know.
Another thing that I don't like about scouts? Women stay at home while the men go out and partay. Perhaps some families like this. But I would be resentful if my husband left for camping every week while I had to stay home and clean up poop and deal with tantrums. Seriously. Not very fair.
And that is why I'm a tad opposed to the scouting phenomenon. That is why I'm not in support. And that is why I have girls.
photo via scarlatti2004
7 comments:
I have always found it very unfair that there isn't an equal to Boy Scouts for girls. I'm not sure what Girl Scouts is about, except cookies, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't measure up. While there were a couple of moms in our troop, it was mostly us boys. You have this Eagle Scout's support.
Kevin
Don't want to poop on your parade but when I was a girl scout we did all sorts of camping and badges. I loved it. Then it was mutual time and girl scouts was just nerdy. But you know what I think? My boy NEEDS scouts. My daughters don't. Cope goes to activity day girls twice a month and it's a nice little social thing. Nellie? He needs the ropes, the pine wood derby, the folding of the flag, the responsibility, the whole thing - it makes him feel like a man. And he learns to "DO" so many things he loves doing. I just shout HALLELUJAH I don't have to to take all those wily, crazy scouts camping on my only day off. Though I would murmur if my husband had to. He shudders at the thought. I tell you what though...I sing praises to the leaders who took my obnoxious brothers. They're saints in my book. (sorry for this book!)
Guess who just got called to Webelos...
Hmmm....I detect a calling in Scouts...Anton has just begun his foray into scouting and is working on his Bobcat Trail. I probably sound intelligent about it, but the reality is that I haven't a clue about scouting other than my brothers and father would leave clean and come back stinky and dirty. I hope Anton enjoys it - he seems to be liking it so far!
Oh - and I know what Webelos means!!! How's that for a mother's education?
Kevin - Mad props to you. Love the support from the Eagle Scout!
Amy - I actually appreciate the poop on my parade (because what's a parade without poop?) I understand where you are coming from. Some people completely need it. I just want the need to be equally available. Have the choice be there. And when kids are young, most things are pretty equal in this area. It's when they get older and do the more intense stuff. And it's the idea that I never had the chance to say I would or wouldn't like it....
Shawnda - Yes, Clin got called to Webelos. I did not. Hallelujah! But I think about scouts a lot being in YW and hearing about what the YM (and their leaders) have to do.
OMG--I am so grateful girls don't do scouting. I too, agree that everything should be equal. Boys shouldn't have to do scouting either! Scouting is hard work!!!!!
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