20 October 2008
BS UK Says Sex Talk is OK
Posted by admin under: International; policies .
According to Craig Brown at the Scotsman news agency in the UK, our brother organization across the pond will begin giving out information regarding sex to their young charges.
The decision to introduce the subject – and even visits to sexual health clinics – is announced in this month’s edition of Scouting magazine and launched publicly today.
The new policy will apply to all age groups in the movement, from Beavers, aged six, to Explorers, aged 18, although there is a greater focus on the older scouts.
The new guidance states scout leaders can even give out condoms, but “only if they believe the young person is very likely to begin or continue having intercourse with or without contraception”.
There is a front-page article on this at the UK Boy Scouts website. You can find a link to the PDF that gives out all of the particulars including these.
An adult in Scouting may give advice without the parents’ knowledge and consent – if necessary – in the following circumstances:
begin or continue having intercourse with or without contraception. However, if on a Scouting activity leaders should ensure that young people are aware of what is and is not appropriate behaviour at Scouting events.
I shouldn’t be surprised. My son told me that British leaders were already carrying condoms at the last international Jamboree because some of their Girl Guides have gotten pregnant on Scouting trips before. This policy sounds rather vague. If you can’t talk them into asking their parents and they might be upset if they don’t have contraception then by all means tell them an easy way to get it. Tsk.Here’s a policy I hope our American Scouting organization does not emulate.
Update: The British are already making fun of themselves for this odd change in policy.
Head of the Scout Association Conrad Traception explained the change: “A scout is resourceful and a hardy lad out for a little adventure. The Scout Leader will now lead the boys down the rosey path of safer sex. To earn the new merit badge , a scout must recite the six most effective methods of birth control and demonstrate proper condom use.”
When I asked Scout Leader Traception exactly how the scout will demonstrate proper implementation of the prophylactic, Con said:” Precisely!”
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