READER'S EDITORIAL: KEEP THE BOY IN BOY SCOUTS: AN OPINION FROM A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY

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By Alan W. Cole, San Diego

December 21, 2018 (San Diego) -- It’s hard to have your voice heard when you’re a teenager. I’m a 14-year old boy and it seems no one wants to listen. What I want to say is, “Keep the Boy in Boy Scouts!” Girls want and are now allowed to join Boy Scouts. I’m not against girls, I’m just pro boys in Boy Scouts. In our world today boys have little opportunity to be with other boys. Girls being allowed to join Boy Scouts is resulting in a name change. Girl Scouts is suing Boy Scouts to keep the Boy in! If the suit is not successful, next February the 108-year old tradition will be broken and Boy Scouts of America will be changed to Scouts of America. This change leaves out the boy and our voice.

I attend school with girls, go to church with girls and I live with awesome ones - my mother and sister. As a freshman in high school, the way for me to grow into a man is to play, learn and grow with my male friends. Don’t get me wrong, my parents are working hard to help me grow into a compassionate, caring, happy young man and I am well on my way. However, there are times that I need and want to be only with boys. When boys are with boys, we are silly, funny, goofy and ridiculous without fear of judgment. Because of Boy Scouts, I strive to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. This is what the news says the world is lacking in men but the world is taking away what boys want and need – to be with other boys! We need to develop leadership skills and have lasting friendships just like Girl Scouts helps girls achieve.

Girls joining Boy Scouts is not so parents can conveniently drop off their Boy Scout and Girl Scout to one meeting which I saw a family say in the news. If Girl Scouts isn’t as cool as Boy Scouts then it’s up to girls to change it! Girls, please stay in Girl Scouts and make it everything you want it to be. Girl Scouts says with most schools and programs now co-ed, they are one of the few organizations for girls only. Can we please keep Boy Scouts as a boys only organization? We will all be better for it.

I have been in scouting since I was 6 years old. I plan to earn my Eagle Scout and remain in Boy Scouts until I age out at 18. I will look back on my time in Boys Scouts as one of the greatest experiences of my life.

I have friendships that I hope last my lifetime. I have traveled, rafted, canoed and hiked through the nation to see its beauty. These experiences, my work to earn merit badges and my future Eagle Scout project will help me successfully get through high school, college and my adult life.

Being a teenager is hard. Being a teenage boy is even harder because my time with boys is slowly being taken away. Boys need time with boys. Girls need time with girls. That way when we come together, we are better individuals ready to face the world together. I want to do this in Boy Scouts of America not Scouts of America. I am a boy in Boy Scouts and I am proud to be that boy. If you listen to me just once, please keep the boy in Boy Scouts!

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 

 


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