What's the deal with Girl Scouts???

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
What's the deal with Girl Scouts???
10
Wed, 03-03-2004 - 7:56pm
What is going on?

I read that the council in Waco is completely separating themselves from Planned Parenthood, but is the ENTIRE organization dropping the Planned parenthood program? (I hope so)

I was planning on starting Natalie next year when she starts kindergarten, but not if they're still associated with them. In what little news articles I was able to find, it was reported that they were giving girls literature about homosexuality, masterbation, birth control, etc. I personally think this is a matter that should be handled at home, not in scouting.

I'm not here to start a debate. I was just wondering if anyone has any news, since I really couldn't find anything out.

TIA

Desiree

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Thu, 03-04-2004 - 1:57am
I have no idea. I haven't heard about that. I went girl guides as a child, all I learnt was songs & dances, how to light a fire, and tie knots, and bake. None of the other stuff was brought up, my how things have changed!!! If you find out any info, please post it, I would be interested in hearing about it. There must be some Barn Owls out there who knows what the story is...

Lesley

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Thu, 03-04-2004 - 8:01am
Hi!

I was a girl scout for years and I have a REALLY hard time believing that they are now passing out information about birth control, homosexuality and masturbation to young girls. All the girls in my neighborhood are in the scouts and they are members of good families. Maybe you should check out a meeting or two before you sign her up.

Also, I just find this curious. What did the Girl Scouts have to do with Planned Parenthood in the first place?

Thanks,

Melissa

Meldi
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Thu, 03-04-2004 - 11:14am
this is the article I found from the Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2423922

I e-mailed one of my former GS troop members, and she said that there are references to planned parenthood in the GS manuals.

Whether they support PP or not, as a conservative Christian and former GS, this really disturbs me...

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Thu, 03-04-2004 - 12:21pm

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2004
Thu, 03-04-2004 - 9:12pm
Well- I was a Cadette leader (junior high age girls) the last two years, but not this year. I remember there was a booklet that dealt with teen pregnancy, and the consequences. I believe that it took a preventative approach. I personnally have not read it, a leader of another troop had her girls do the program after a girlfriend of the scouts got pregnant as a teenager. But I do know that before doing this booklet or any other "sensitive" topics, the troop leader has to get permission from the parents. So nothing is sprung on the girls unannounced. Also let this be said that this is at the later junior high and high school level. I would highly recommend Girl Scouts in general to anyone, but each specific troop is different based on leader and parent participation. If you want to have maximum control- I recommend being a troop leader, or at the minimum a strong parent volunteer. HTH Jess
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Fri, 03-05-2004 - 11:01am
I have to say someting, Parents need to take an active roll in what their kids are doing. Too many parents have the idea the this extra activity is just a way to get the kid out of the house and into something besides tv or the pc. They use this time to do other things instead of being involved in thier kids lives.

In the last few weeks I have seen so many lazy parents out there that it just PO's a lot!

Parents need to be in the schools, in the community, and they need to set good examples, they need to get involoved and talk to their kids and find a way to get the kid to talk to them.

Who's really raising your kid? You or the soccar coach? I agree with the last poster. You need to check it out for yourself and be envolved. Maybe what has happend in this GS troop is not happening in all the others.

I was just at a parent meeting last night and I am still a little hot under the collar. Forgive my harsh rant.

Lmae

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 03-05-2004 - 11:37am
I've been watching this turn into a major debate on the GS message board. It seems parents are split down the middle about this subject. I was planning on starting my own troop so that I COULD have more control about what my dd is exposed to; however, I'm just not too happy with them supporting Planned Parenthood. As was mentioned on the GS board, why couldn't they have just left it up to the individual troops to bring in a doctor or nurse to discuss this with the girls? Why bring in such a controversial organization that so many parents are going to have a problem with?

I'm going to watch and see what happens with this whole issue. It all depends on what kind of endorsement our local GS council gives for this program. IF I were to start my own troop, I would certainly make my position known to parents before they enroll their dd's in my troop. I may end up getting her involved with American Heritage Girls instead.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Fri, 03-05-2004 - 12:44pm
Hi my name is Debra. I used to be a professional for Girl Scouts. The issues that are being discussed are considered Contemporary Issues. They require parental permission to do this program in the troop. However, ou do need to be careful because some of the contemporary issues material can be found in handbooks. The problem is GSUSA writes for the whole country and not just one region.

For the most part the program is a good program.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 03-05-2004 - 2:25pm
The more I research, the more I'm leaning toward American Heritage Girls...

http://www.martydee.com/poligov/archives/002218.html

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Sat, 03-06-2004 - 10:40am
what kind of material is covered, and in what handbooks?