Girls join Boy Scouts: What is the benefit?

On Oct. 11, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced it would finally allow girls to become Boy Scouts. Now, girls may get more access to exclusive Eagle Scout scholarships and activities that are not offered by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). Though this change may seem progressive, BSA’s historically traditional thinking and recent fall in membership may indicate that this decision was not made solely with girls’ interests in mind.

Given BSA’s conservative past, this change was clearly unexpected. Boy Scouts has been known for its exclusivity and its affiliation with conservative churches that oppose atheism and homosexuality. Furthermore, whereas GSUSA has openly supported LGBTQ communities, BSA opened membership to gay scouts only four years ago. Since membership has declined by nearly a third since 2000, BSA may have realized that it might need to reform some traditions in order to attract today’s youth and maintain financial stability.

Even the New York Times has implied that there might be financial motivation in allowing girls to become Boy Scouts. If girls decide to join, BSA would enjoy a deluge of merit badge orders and revenue while also improving its public image. Understandably, GSUSA has not been completely receptive to BSA’s sudden announcement.

In fact, Girl Scouts of Orange County released a statement Oct. 12 claiming that girls should stay in Girl Scouts because the “developmental needs for boys and girls are different. However, while GSUSA might provide a more constructive environment for girls, the two organizations should not perpetuate sex segregation because in doing so, they ultimately ignore their shared goal of promoting equality among youth.

Rather than arguing with each other about BSA’s inclusion of girls, BSA and GSUSA should work towards their common goals. Some treat integrating coed scouting as an impossibility, but really it’s nothing new. Venturing, a more inclusive branch of Boy Scouts in which boys and girls engage in unique outdoor activities together, demonstrates that the two organizations can scout together.

This change can be an opportunity for the two to consider uniting under a single scouting organization. After all, both want to foster responsibility and provide a supportive environment for students.