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While this seems true, I am not convinced it is.  On the other hand, I do perceive that many have turned inward, so to speak, and are tring to find the path that will allow the real Scouting to again bloom.  But, I also am seeing far too many "giving up", or simply retreating to do what they feel will work, regardless of pressures from the outside.  Scouting is best in my worn views when shared with a broader group of youth and adults.  BP called it aa brotherhood, and it still is if we allow it.  How to allow it with the issues we face is the greater struggle.  I hope my great grand nephew, who has an Eagle father, and a Scouting believer as a GF will still experience the better possibilities.  Would I live to see him also become an Eagle, or simply like his GF, a firm believer in the Spirit of Scouting.   We have a gathering of Leaders locally at a breakfast on Saturdy coming, and the interhanges from the first two of these recently institued sharings has proven worthwhile.  The Merit Badge events, for example have been over hauled and are getting better and more focused on the actual requirements.  Also, they are nown being broken up to fewer badges, instead focusing on just a dozen or fewer.  Still a long way to go, and I am still fighting with them to recognize the need to put our history forward, as well as sevice beyond the "big" events.  Community is still silently behind the ideas of Scouting, but they too seem to be holding their brath to see if we can fight our way back.  Time will tell, and hopefully I may hold on long enough to see the larger steps.  

At least in my area, parents are pressuring for Eagle. Units that do try and focus on adventure, fun, personal growth, etc instead of advancement do not get new Scouts as parents look elsewhere. Even my new troop is focusing on advancement.   Yes it has.   And be told by the rules lawyers you are "gate keeping," "adding to requirements," etc. @InquisitiveScouter sadly the leadership at the top is encouraging this, and they do not care what the old boots on the ground want who want to maintain standards want. Heck there is now a majority of volunteers support for them and their decline of standards.

Unfortunately, it is the new morality, which is "I got mine, the hell with the rules".  I saw it when BSA started admitting girls, and Cubs were the "trial run", with supposedly separate-sex dens.  Then supposedly separate-sex troops.  I heard more than one "leader" on here and on FB admit that they had gone fully co-ed, because "that's what works best for us", while maintaining the charade on paper.  I "retired" from Scouting in 2018 after having been a continuous member of the same Council since 1963 (Eagle 1970) as a Cub, Boy Scout, OA, Explorer, and adult leader in nearly all positions including District and Council Committees.  When I let them know I would not be re-registering, the response was "ok, thanks" and thus it ended.  I do not regret leaving as I feel the BSA has lost its way, as evidenced by the plummeting membership numbers. 

It does.  And there is "chaos" and cheating all around.  Be responsible for what you do.  I have been asked many times to sign off something a Scout has not earned, or that I have not witnessed.  I politely refuse. This is the best example we can give.  And to admit our own mistakes and how we have tried to correct them. If you go looking for offenders, they are easy to find, but you will not win the day by identifying them, pointing them out, and imposing your will to make things right.  In their hearts, they know they are cheating, being dishonest, or gaming the system.  So do their parents. When their heart is right, they will ask you to show the way. Pray simply that God and our consciences will convict us, so that our hearts would be right, and that we will follow the truths of the Scout Oath and Law. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."