I've had some direct experience with this subject in the past two years. I started in Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub Coach (old name, I know) when my son was a Tiger. Then I remained as Den Leader through Webelos II, was an OWLS trainer for a while, and moved into Boy Scouting, first as the liaison between the troop and the webelos, then advancement chairperson. We have moved a few times and have experienced several different councils/districts/troops through these moves. When we moved to Missouri, from Louisiana, the troop we were interested in for our boys seemed ideal until it was made clear that married couples were not to sleep in the same tent and women were not allowed to camp with the troop unless another woman was there. This was directly from the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair. I noticed that none of the women there were in uniform, only the men. I was told that neither of these things "looked good" for the troop. I was also told that this is what they were taught during training. I didn't ask at the time who's training as I was too blinded by just the idea that I would bring anything into this besides a desire to help the boys, teach them the skills I have learned myself, follow the Scout Law, and enjoy the company of the other leaders as I have in previous troops. At the time I was told, I really couldn't deal with being thrown back into the 1950 ideals. I researched all of the scouting information we have at our home. I contacted the DE and asked about this "policy". I was directed to the Public Relations Director and then on to several other "higher ups" in the District. What I was told was that it is up to the Charter Organization to set the policy as to who can come into the troop and who can't, and what they will be allowed or not allowed to do. BSA's GUIDELINE is that women will be treated equally as leaders. But boy did I learn the difference between a guideline, a policy, and a rule. I asked, specifically, if a Charter Organization can state that only white men with pink hair can run a troop, and was told, clearly, YES. The Charter Organization owns the troop. BSA can only work within the policy set by the Charter Organization (if they choose to set policy). Every belief I had regarding scouting simply tumbled into the dirt. Yes, we did move to a different troop that accepts women but I certainly haven't had it in myself to get as involved as I had been before this. I have a real hard time supporting scouting knowing that it is ok to have this attitude within BSA. I'm very slowly becoming more involved again because my son wants stay involved in the troop. I have continued to be a merit badge counselor as I have for the past several years. But I haven't been able to look at scouting in the same light as before. If men want to do their bonding, let it be done in cub scouts AND at home. Boy scouts is the time to teach working with others, gaining confidence in their own skills, and becoming well rounded, independent young men. I was proud to be a part of BSA and part of me still is. But until we find a way to accept that both men and women are important, that any differences in viewpoints of men and women can mesh together to work on that "well rounded" part of young men. That these boys need to learn to work with and respect all people.
I didn't think I would respond to this but I guess the anger is still there. Everybody has their own opinion on this, I know it can be a powder keg. But consider what the boys see when women are not considered "worthy" to be a part of scouting besides the traditional den mother, cookie maker, etc., role. These boys might wind up marrying some day and that woman that they marry could be the breadwinner these days. Let's start by teaching them that it is teamwork that is important, not gender/color/religion.
