Boy Scouts becomes gender-inclusive

Former scouts share insights on change

When I was in seventh grade, I joined Boy Scouts with the intent to have fun and learn how to be a leader. In the past five years, I have achieved that. As a scout, I want everyone to have the same opportunities of growth and development, but I do not believe the only just-for-boys organization should be made co-ed. At this moment, boys have an advantage by being able to become an Eagle Scout. Instead of making it possible for everyone to become an Eagle Scout, we should work on making girl scouts just as beneficial. Over time, people have told me that Girl Scouts do not camp and have as many activities as the boy scouts, but you should not blame Boy Scouts for that. People should be more worried about having a better Girl Scouting program than turning the BOY Scouts co-ed.

As Girl Scouts become cadets, they have the option to earn the Gold Award, the highest rank a girl can earn. I was always told that being an Eagle Scout is a good thing to put on your resume because it shows hard work and leadership, but you do not hear the same thing for earning the Gold Award. Why is this? Both are offered scholarships after high school, both take an immense amount of work to complete and both require multiple hours of service. A study by ScoutingUSA says there are 2.4 million active boy scouts and 2.6 million active girl scouts, but the age demographic differs a lot. More Girl Scouts drop out earlier, and more Boy Scouts join later. The issue is making Girl Scouts comfortable for older girls. As a result, more girls will stay involved and earn the Gold Award.

Either way, the Boy Scouts of America has made it possible for girls to earn the Eagle Scout Award by 2019. I do not have a huge problem with it, but I do not agree that the Boy Scouts will be as beneficial to young boys as it was in the past.