# Boy Scouts To Accept Girls **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 11, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590 "2017-10-11T20:02:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/21 "2017-10-12T17:40:25Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Scouts Canada went coed back in 1998. So far, like after gay marriage, still not a hellscape. The Scouts in Canada and the UK are base on the writings of Baden-Powell. In the US the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are often associated with religious groups. The Mormons, Methodists, and Catholics are the three largest organizations associated with the BSA. Until recently you could not be openly gay in the BSA or an Atheist. I still don’t think they let Atheist in. ---
**Author:** ![JoWright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoWright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoWright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/22 "2017-10-13T18:40:11Z")
Why not just introduce the merit badge system and the ranking system into the girl scouts, to where it would be more like the boy scouts. Seems that would be the less controversial way to go about it. That way they could have similar merit badge challenges and maybe even introduce some of there own! ---
**Author:** ![JoWright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoWright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoWright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/23 "2017-10-13T18:57:38Z")
Where does it end? Can men join the ladies auxillary? Will the Masons allow women to join? Or the Lions Club? Sometimes “it is what it is!” Is the option for the boys gonna be the same? Can they join the girl scouts? Looks like a big ol can of worms to be opening! Just sayin ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/24 "2017-10-13T19:11:32Z")
> [@JoWright](#): > > Why not just introduce the merit badge system and the ranking system into the girl scouts, to where it would be more like the boy scouts. Seems that would be the less controversial way to go about it. That way they could have similar merit badge challenges and maybe even introduce some of there own! Psst: Girl Scouts has all that. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/25 "2017-10-13T20:01:46Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Scouts Canada went coed back in 1998. So far, like after gay marriage, still not a hellscape. I bought $40 worth of gourmet popcorn from my young neighbour girl in support of her Cub Scout troop. She said she switched from Guides because she wanted to do outdoor stuff instead of arts and crafts. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/26 "2017-10-13T22:58:42Z")
Is it really necessary to sexualize and make crude jokes about young girls like this? Brownie Girl Scouts are 7-9 years old. Don’t do it; it’s uncalled for. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Did I ever mention the time I got kicked out of the Boy Scouts for eating a Brownie? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/27 "2017-10-13T23:02:08Z")
FWIW, I was a Girl Scout leader (and former Scout) and most of what we did was camping, nature related, leadership, and community service. There are badges, merit levels, and big service projects similar to Eagle Scouts. I learned to change the oil and tires on car, did primitive winter camping all in high school. For my girls we did hiking, letterboxing, camping, science, and community service. Sure we did do some crafts when the girls were Daisy and Brownie Scouts, but Weblo (Boy Scouts) did leather crafts and pine car derbies etc. Boy Scouts do crafts too. > [@BigT](#): > > Yes, Girl Scouts has some outdoor activities. No, they are not about camping. They have a much more urban setup. That’s not to say they don’t do camping, but that’s not what they are about. There are so many activities that do not involve the outdoors, and so many badges that are much more urban based. We’ve even discussed this difference before on this very board. > > I even got into a discussion a few years ago with a guy who had sent his daughters to Girls Scouts and they were dissatisfied because it wasn’t like Boy Scouts, which they had done something similar to in another country. He specifically was asking me about organizations like Boy Scouts that were coed. > > I will not respond to further attacks on me. > [@JoWright](#): > > Why not just introduce the merit badge system and the ranking system into the girl scouts, to where it would be more like the boy scouts. Seems that would be the less controversial way to go about it. That way they could have similar merit badge challenges and maybe even introduce some of there own! > [@Bookkeeper](#): > > I bought $40 worth of gourmet popcorn from my young neighbour girl in support of her Cub Scout troop. She said she switched from Guides because she wanted to do outdoor stuff instead of arts and crafts. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/28 "2017-10-13T23:18:46Z")
Thanks, **ITD,** for the hot mod action, that was bugging the crap out of me. Oh, and just to be pedantic, it’s WEBELOS, for **WE** ’ll **BE** **LO** yal **S** couts. A little BSA trivia courtesy of my misspent youth. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/29 "2017-10-13T23:31:56Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Thanks, **ITD,** for the hot mod action, that was bugging the crap out of me. > > Oh, and just to be pedantic, it’s WEBELOS, for **WE** ’ll **BE** **LO** yal **S** couts. A little BSA trivia courtesy of my misspent youth. 😉 Right- my stepson went all the way through Eagle but that was many moons ago… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/30 "2017-10-13T23:47:49Z")
Who’s going to change the first coed scout couple’s baby? Duh, Scouts go camping in the woods. Anyone consider what a curious bunch of young coed teens will get up to? I was a Scout until 15. Earned my Star badge and was working on my Life badge. I lost interest after learning to drive. There was one troop leader with us on camping trips. Keeping an eye on an entire troop (about 20 kids). It’s just a matter of time before the first news headlines. Sexual harassment in the woods! I guess there’s no limit to the stupidity in today’s world. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/31 "2017-10-13T23:58:40Z")
Or, y’know, maybe the Scouts will grasp the fucking nettle and teach their members that sexual harassment is not okay no matter who’s involved and what their genitalia. Kind of the same way a bunch of boy scouts out in the woods together does not automatically result in the youngest ones coming back with buggered butts. Respect for one’s comrades, what a concept. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/32 "2017-10-14T00:14:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Who’s going to change the first coed scout couple’s baby? :dubious: Uh, whichever parent is awake, one hopes. Was this question supposed to be a stumper? > [@](#): > > Anyone consider what a curious bunch of young coed teens will get up to? I am 100% certain you have; do tell! There are, of course, plenty of coed groups already, groups that go on overnight trips together. I don’t like to talk about my teenaged life much, but trust me, back in the eighties kids were taking full advantage of those opportunities. > [@](#): > > It’s just a matter of time before the first news headlines. Sexual harassment in the woods! Wait. Are you seriously saying that this change is going to lead to [headlines about sexual abuse of young scouts](https://www.google.com/search?q=scoutmaster+charged&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8) on overnight trips? For real, that’s what’s gonna happen? Like, you’ve not paid attention to any headlines about scouting scandals over the last four decades? > [@](#): > > I guess there’s no limit to the stupidity in today’s world. Not touching that one. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/33 "2017-10-14T00:15:47Z")
LOL Right, it’ll be a Disney nature film complete with sound track. The first year of puberty is intense. That initial jolt of hormones messes with your head. That’s true of boys and girls. If people want to pretend 13 year olds will act responsibly. Then I wish you luck and success with that. I’m a bit more cynical. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/34 "2017-10-14T00:26:22Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > LOL > > Right, it’ll be a Disney nature film complete with sound track. > > The first year of puberty is intense. That initial jolt of hormones messes with your head. That’s true of boys and girls. > > If people want to pretend 13 year olds will act responsibly. Then I wish you luck and success with that. > > I’m a bit more cynical. You 100% missed my point, and you are far less, not more, cynical than I. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/35 "2017-10-14T00:57:39Z")
Sorry LHD. Your post slipped in while I was replying to SmartAleq. Teen pregnancy rates have been steadily dropping for many years. I hope making Scouting coed doesn’t change that trend. Imho the drop is because of better access to sex-ed information and birth control. Teens today are still as curious about sex as ever. > **[Adolescent Health](https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health?adolescent-development%2Freproductive-health-and-teen-pregnancy%2Fteen-pregnancy-and-childbearing%2Ftrends%2Findex.html)** > > This section focuses on how adolescents develop and the issues they may face as they mature. Featured resources provide more information on special topics in adolescent health. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/36 "2017-10-14T01:11:55Z")
Over the years I’ve noticed a correlation between people who automatically assume everyone else has sex willy nilly with any other person based on no other factor than proximity with people who’ve never actually had sex. Interesting how that works. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/37 "2017-10-14T01:44:13Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Over the years I’ve noticed a correlation between people who automatically assume everyone else has sex willy nilly with any other person based on no other factor than proximity with people who’ve never actually had sex. Interesting how that works. You gotta rewrite that sentence, dude. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/38 "2017-10-14T01:49:13Z")
Naw, I like it the way it is. I know what I mean and probably few others will and that’s probably for the best. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/39 "2017-10-14T01:54:07Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Naw, I like it the way it is. I know what I mean and probably few others will and that’s probably for the best. All right, then. Now you gotta diagram it. Protest all you want. That’s your sentence. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boy-scouts-to-accept-girls/798590/40 "2017-10-14T02:36:24Z")
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