Persuading Boys to Wear the Uniform

[msnowman]

Nephew's SM wears the full uniform and expects the boys to be in their full uniform (yes, including socks and belt) at every meeting and asks them why they aren't...."you had to put on pants anyway, so why not your uniform pants?" type thing. Nephew wears his full uniform to nearly all of meetings....well, to all of them now. The one time he didn't change and put on scout socks they had an inspection and that was the only thing wrong w/ his uniform. He has changed clothes in the car on several occassions to make sure he is in the right clothes.

 

YiS

Michelle

[Hunt]

"Nephew's SM wears the full uniform and expects the boys to be in their full uniform (yes, including socks and belt) at every meeting and asks them why they aren't...."you had to put on pants anyway, so why not your uniform pants?" type thing. Nephew wears his full uniform to nearly all of meetings....well, to all of them now. The one time he didn't change and put on scout socks they had an inspection and that was the only thing wrong w/ his uniform. He has changed clothes in the car on several occassions to make sure he is in the right clothes."

 

Does your Nephew wear the uniform because he wants to or because he is afraid of being embarassed by the SM? (The SM's questions may be friendly ones--I'm just asking.)

[kraut-60]

If a Scouter SM,ASM etc..would ask a Scout a question regarding his uniform and intend it to embarass the Scout, then that Scouter would be wrong and would need to amend that type of behavior.

 

If the same Scouter were to ask the same question in a way that shows the Scout that the Scouter cares about the Scout and his appearance and is only asking to possibly help the Scout,...is this also "embarrassing"?

 

A leader showing concern for a Scouts appearance/advancement/well-being...etc should be seen as a hallmark of a good leader.

[msnowman]

He doesn't generally mind wearing the uniform. With the new switchback pants it is a lot easier to get him out of his regular jeans or khakis than it was when he had to wear "those stupid pants". He likes setting himself apart and having the most complete uniform...and I've started him collecting vintage slides, so wearing the neckerchief isn't a problem either. The only thing he wears just to make SM happy is the socks...not bad I figure.

 

SM asks the questions in a friendly way. I've never seen one of the boys to be real uncomfortable or embarressed by it. He doesn't ask it of the new boys since they are still getting to know him and the rest of the troop...he asks the older boys...you know - the SPL, the Eagle, the 17 yo Life working on Eagle......the guys that have no excuse not to be in full uniform.

 

YiS

Michelle