Boy Scouts Go Co-Ed

By Sami Dugdale
Blog Content Contributor

October 11th was International Day of the Girl, a worldwide movement in which the basic human rights of girls are promoted and gender inequality is brought to light. Public figures from all around the world spoke in favor of this movement including former First Lady Michelle Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and world-famous musician Beyoncé, who released a new music video for her song “Freedom” in honor of the International Day of the Girl.

One other significant event that occurred on this day was an announcement from the Boy Scouts of America stating that they will begin letting girls join as well. The organization stated that “it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children,” which is a major step for activists who have been fighting to have young girls included in this organization for years.

While the Girl Scouts in the past have shown opposition to this idea, saying that females thrive better in an all-female environment, many groups and young girls have gone against this idea and fought for the right to be given the same opportunities as young boys. Now, girls from around the U.S. are able to join the Cub Scouts, earn merit badges, and even eventually be promoted to an Eagle Scout.

Being named an Eagle Scout is a very high honor and allowing girls to hold that title as well is a big step in gender equality. While the girl scouts have the Golden Award, which is supposed to be the equivalent to an Eagle Scout, it is not considered as high as an achievement, which is another reason why activists fought so long for young girl’s right to join as well.

Earlier this year, The Boy Scouts of America allowed transgender boys to join the organization and now in 2018, young girls will also be allowed to join and hold this prestigious title. While the group “dens” will still be separated by gender, The Boy Scouts of America has proved to be a progressive organization with the goal to prepare young people, all young people, to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.

Featured image via Pexels.com.