This post isn't so much about if BSA should have allowed that or not. At my core, I'm of the mindset that a private organization, such as BSA, has the right to decide who can be apart of their group and who is not eligible. I'm of the mindset that if a group of people does not like a particular group's rules instead of bullying them and pressuring them to change they should start a group that meets their needs and values. Example: That's how Trail Life USA, Heritage Girls, and other scouting groups came to be.
So what's this all about? Well, this post and thoughts are because of an interaction I had today with someone via an online forum. This interaction caused me to take pause and realized for the first time I may have encounter true Leftist Feminism. It's the only logical explanation. Before I share more let me explain what BSA did and a little about BSA in case you don't know.
BSA means "Boy Scouts of America". Instead of typing out "Boy Scouts of America" all the time I'm simply going to refer to it as BSA. BSA has several different programs with what was known as "Boy Scouting" or commonly called "Boy Scouts" as their flagship program. It is the most widely known program and what comes to mind when people mention BSA. BSA flagship program was just for boys which is why it was called "Boy Scouting".
What BSA did was decided to rename the flagship program to "Scouts BSA" commonly called "Scouts" and decided to open the program to girls too. Learning that the program was open to girls caused many misunderstandings including that the troops would not be co-ed. That is not what happened. If you are familiar with BSA Scouting Troops you know that troops are pretty much autonomous. Each individual troop does their own thing, separate from other troops, within BSA rules.
The only time you really only have contact with other troops is if your troop is at summer camp, jamborees, or other events where other troops will be at; other than that you are camping on your own, meeting on your own, doing your own thing.
What BSA did was said it's okay for girls to get together and form their own troop! So a troop is either a girl troop or it's a boy troop. troops are not co-ed. If someone was interested in something co-ed they could join BSA Venturing Crew.
BSA put out an image explaining how the program name changed but the organization's name did not.
Note at the bottom it states how the organization's name is NOT changing. Also if you go to BSA website it clearly states "Welcome to Boy Scouts of America". So now that you have this; let's move on with this story --
On the online forum, I stumbled upon someone whose daughter is in a Scout BSA girl troop and who was insisting before my arrival that BSA is now simply "Scouts of America". I commented that the organization name did not change, that it's still BSA, that flagship program name changed to Scouts BSA and providing the image above.
She told me I was flat out wrong and started to comment on her daughter is going to be a real Eagle Scout -- mind you, I never once said anything about her daughter or my opinion about girls in the flagship program. I simply mention how she was wrong to say the organization name was "Scouts of America" that the name is BSA.
I commented back No, see the image I provided and directed her to BSA website where it clearly says BSA all over the website!
I once again got told I was wrong, plus to go to hell, and I needed to quit promoting "I am capable as long as you understand that I am FEMALE!!! " and that once again I'm wrong the organization name is "Scouts of America" and that she knows because her husband is the scoutmaster for her daughter's troop and they are doing everything by the book and added I needed to get over it. Girls are in the program now and they will be Eagle Scouts.
I did comment back saying No, expressed I didn't know why she was being so combative with me, that I was simply stating what the organization name is and that I provided evidence of that by providing the image and link to the website.
I couldn't understand why she was so combative. I couldn't understand why she wanted to still insist I was wrong when I provided an image made by BSA and link to BSA website. I couldn't understand why stating the true name was BSA it was saying girls were not on the same level as boys or would not be true Eagle Scouts.
Then it hit me! The only thing that made sense to me. She's a Leftist Feminist and having girls in the flagship program is not enough. That she and others of her ilk want the "boy" erased from the organization name. She wants it to be "Scouts of America". And they will not rest until they get that and more. Why is having boy in the name so offense?
I know part of the reason BSA decided to add girls to its flagship program was because of push from the left to do so. It also came from current families wanting one organization to meet the need of the whole family. It also was for self perseveration: passed policy changes caused a drop in numbers so there was a feeling if they included girls they could boost numbers too.
In many ways, I'm glad if this is what coming down the pipe my son is aging out in a couple of months.
For those families who are in BSA: At this point, if you are still involved in BSA, like we are, you are most likely not bothered by the current changes, or perhaps on the fence about them, or because you know troops are autonomous are happy with your troop. -- and that's all fine!
Just be mindful of what seems to be brewing. I'm just afraid based on my very short interaction that leftist feminism is not going to be satisfied with what changes BSA has done and will continue to push for more and more -- including a name change and other policy changes.
I also want to end this by saying as a Catholic, I know one person's actions do not really indicate what a particular organization teaches or believes. I know that it's not fair to pin what leftist feminism goals may be based on the interaction with one person. I just wanted to voice what I experience, express concern, and tell others to be mindful and alert. It's one thing to try to push an organization to expand and allow others to join that they in the past have denied but it's a whole other level to insist or force an organization to change its name.
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