Why is the uniform important?

[Eagledad]

The uniform subject comes up often, not so much at the Cub level, but age doesnt really matter for the justification anyway. As I was reading how this leader is struggling to get the whole pack of cubs to wear the uniform, I have to ask why. Why is wearing the uniform so important for an 8 year old boy? Why is it important for a 14 year old boy? What personal quality do they get from wearing the uniform that boys who arent in the BSA don't get?

 

One thing I learned as a coach, guide, leader, role model, mentor and scout leader for these young men is; if we adults dont have a good reason for wearing the uniform, the scouts will struggle to meet our expectations.

 

So, why is wearing the uniform so important?

 

I love this scouting stuff.

 

Barry

 

[qwazse]

Two words: command respect.

[Eagle92]

Pride, sense of accomplishment, shows belonging, etc etc.

[ScoutLass]

I can think of several reasons I have seen personally. When my family joined our pack five years ago, it wasn't a uniformed pack. Less than half the boys and maybe one leader ever wore a uniform. Our pack is now at near 100 percent uniformed and all leaders wear one. I've seen the difference.

 

Boys in uniform have a greater sense teamwork, a sense of pride (in themselves, in their pack and in scouting in general), and commitment. The boys can also easily recognize each other and be recognized when out in the community. For leaders, a uniform first provides recognition to the scouts and parents (especially important with new families), while eliciting respect from the boys.

 

I think most former scouts have nostalgia about the uniform, so it does impact them. We have been stopped countless times when running errands before a meeting when one of my sons is in uniform. I've had old men and young men flash me their Eagle card, or share a story from their years in cub scouting or boy scouting. We've heard a grandfather talk with pride about his Arrow of Light, and listened to a firefighter bemoan the fact he dropped out right before he earned life scout. The boys listen to these stories and it makes an impact on them. Most of these brief encounters end with a pat on the boy's shoulder or a scout handshake, but they are left with the impression that they belong to a community of good people as well as a sense of awe for being part of something bigger than themselves. They never would have heard the stories or had these encounters if they hadn't been in uniform.

 

 

[83Eagle]

I had a feeling that would get spun off...I regret ever bringing it up...

 

Speaking about Cub Scouts, all I can tell you is what I get from the BSA itself:

 

"Wearing uniforms has been a method of the Scouting movement from the beginning. Decades of experience show uniforming to have many benefits, including these:

 

■Equality. The uniform represents a democratic ideal of equality. Boys from various cultures and different economic levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.

 

■Identification. The uniform identifies a boy as a member of the Cub Scouts. Badges on the uniform tell other members that he belongs to their den, pack, and council. The uniform itself identifies a good citizen to the entire community.

 

■Achievement. The uniform displays badges and other awards so the accomplishments of each Cub Scout can be immediately recognized.

 

■Commitment. Wearing a uniform is a constant reminder to each Cub Scout of his commitment to the ideals and purposes of Cub Scouting: duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others.

 

For these reasons, among others, all parents should emphasize to their Scouts the importance of wearing the correct and complete uniform on all suitable occasions."

[Eagledad]

>>I had a feeling that would get spun off...I regret ever bringing it up...

[Beavah]

In truth, I found that for boys pride comes from the program and is expressed through the uniform, not the other way around.

 

Yah, I was about to write a long Beavah Missive then Eagledad went and captured it in a single sentence.

 

I've never bought into da blather about uniforms being democratic or all the other "theoretical" benefits in da BSA literature. Sheer nonsense for da most part. In fact, makin' everyone wear the same thing is more properly associated with communism than democracy. Enforced "equality" and all that. I've also never seen anybody change their behavior or be "reminded of values" or whatever by what they wear. In fact, we hear plenty about boys in uniform vandalizing parks and porta-johns at Jambo and whatnot.

 

We do, however, react to and change our behaviors based on what other people wear, as ScoutLass describes. And we do choose what we wear to reflect our own values and sense of self. So when yeh see a lad choose to wear a uniform, it reflects his sense of self-identification with da program. That, in turn, reflects the quality of program he's experiencing, and his learning by da example of others who self-identify with it. And that's really somethin', given how goofy most boys think the uniform is on its own merits.

 

Beavah

 

 

[SeattlePioneer]

I think uniforms DO create a sense of equality. I seen and felt that myself. Rather than being influenced by the exterior packaging (one of the main purposes of today's clothing), you wind up looking at the person inside the uniform.

 

 

Still, uniforms aren't required by Scouting. Personally, I wear a full uniform but none of my Den Leaders so far have followed that example.

 

In order to establish the principle of uniforming, as soon as a Scout joins the pack I award them a neckerchief and slide, the same that I wear myself. I cut twenty neckerchiefs out of a $6 decorated bedsheets from a thrift shop this year, and for slides I cut section from tree branches and drill them with a 3/8" drill.

 

I give the new boys the neckerchief and they choose from among the slides I have one that appeals to them. The parent then helps their son put on the neckerchief and slide.

 

When adults accept leadership positions in the pack, they are also awarded a neckerchief and slide, with their son helping the parent put it on.

 

Unfortunately, none of the adults continue to wear the neckerchief once they get it. Usually the boys do so at least until they get a uniform.

 

[Eagledad]

>>Personally, I wear a full uniform but none of my Den Leaders so far have followed that example.

[chaoman45]

I bet more people would wear the uniform if it wasn't perceived as expensive. Yeah, you can go to a thrift store or eBay but you aren't guaranteed anything will fit you. When the uniform and all the trimmings come to about $100 and street clothes are $25, it's hard to convince people.

 

Reasons have mainly been stated already. I hear a uniform makes Scouts act differently (in a positive way).

[RememberSchiff]

"Wearing uniforms has been a method of the Scouting movement from the beginning."

 

No as I recall, the "Uniform method" began in 1982, before that there were just 7 methods of Scouting.

 

The uniform remains optional, as a scout is and should be a scout whether he is wearing the uniform or not. And that's the hard part in teaching Scouting values, that you are a scout 365x24x7 no matter what you wear, scout activity or not.

 

My $0.02,

[perdidochas]

The reasons for the uniform is similar to those of gang colors:

1) makes the boys recognizable as Scouts;

2) turns them into a team

 

 

As a Cub Scout parent and leader, I was kind of skeptical about the importance of uniforms. I thought they were a big pain in the butt, and I didn't see value added. As a Boy Scout parent, I've amended that view. I do think the boys have more pride and teamwork wearing the uniforms-even if it's just the Class B uniform (i.e. a Scout T-shirt).

[jrush]

Schiff, I think you are confusing the difference in "official method of scouting" and "a" method of scouting.

 

The uniform as a central principle of the Boy Scouts has been in effect from it's inception. It's not just "a" method of scouting, it's one of the founding principles, along with the patrol. That it took 80 years to call it that in a book is besides the point.

 

Eagle, I would tell these adults that Scouting is not a "do as I say, not as I do" enterprise.

 

[Stosh]

Sports teams and fans

Schools

Medical profession

Police

Fire personnel

Business man

Gangs

Scouts

Military

Clergy

Hippies

Motorcycle riders

Cheese Heads

Halloween participants

Reenactors/Living Historians

Auto Service personnel

Clowns and circus personnel

Cowboys

Chorus Girls

Marching bands/Drum Corp

Belly and Hula Dancers

Ethnic native dress

 

Everyone wears clothing that identifies themselves with what's important to them. They wish to be incorporated into that grouping. Those that don't think such items are necessary to fit in will probably not last very long in the group. Those that don't feel it necessary to wear the full scout uniform are basically saying, full participation in the process is not all that important.

 

Put clown shoes on a cowboy and see how that works for you.... Or better yet show up the first day of basic training in the army with a hula dress on...

 

Stosh

 

 

[Eagledad]

>>The uniform remains optional, as a scout is and should be a scout whether he is wearing the uniform or not.