Scouting People - WIBU to complain about this?

[BikeRunSki]

I’m actually a sectional assistant of 18 months, working on my Wood Badge, but i’m relatively new to scouting (DS joined Beavers 4 years ago) so I am not that up to speed on all the traditions.

DD (7) was in a Beaver show yesterday, where several Beaver colonies got together to perform songs and sketches. Lots of fun. It was compered by our ADC Beavers, who is a truly lovely guy. They started and ended the show with “Black Crow Spirit”, “BP Spirit” and “Meet the Gang”.

It’s “Meet the Gang” and the line “the boys are here, the boys to entertain you” that bothers me. As DD pointed out - there are girls in Beavers! There have been girls in scouting for over 30 years. In our group, girls make up more than 50% of the Beavers and Scouts and 30% of the Cubs. All but 2 of the leaders across all sections are women.

Much as “Meet the Gang” might be a traditional Gang Show song, I feel it rather sidelines the existence and role of women and girls in scouting.

I want to stay involved in scouting, and don’t want to become “that person” if “Meet the Gang” has significance that I am not aware of.

It's the theme tune to 'it ain't half hot mum'

I know, but I am curious as to whether it has become established in the wider scouting movement.

Not something I would worry about as it's a traditional song.

even I know that song. yabu, its an old song.

Meet the gang is the sort of song we'd use in our panto which is majority female.

It's a traditional gang show song. I do not see any issue with it - and we have 50:50 boys/girls in our beaver colony.

Its an old song, but traditional for gang show. Im sure no offence is meant, or indeed taken generally.

I rather feel there are more important things going on right now to feel strongly about!!!

I changed it to “We’re all here - we’re here to entertain you!”. Sorted.

Its one song in a show. The older gang show songs are probably more than 30 years old , ie before girls were members. You do realise Scouts are over 100 years old.

And yes you would be unreasonable to complain. The fact you asked says everything.

Surely "boys" could very easily be changed to "kids". I don't think it is unreasonable to mention it, beavers is in no way just for boys now.

I wouldn't complain, it's a traditional song.

Thanks for the ear worm BTW.

“Surely "boys" could very easily be changed to "kids".”

As I said- I just changed it to “we’re”. Worked fine. No problem.

As far as I am aware it was written in the early 1970s. I wasn’t PCifying some piece of great British tradition!

if you change the words it will be a bit complicated when you get to the 'B.O. B.O.Y.S' bit.

But the song isn't about the Scouts.

If they sang 'Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler', would you want to change the words, because they refer to 'boys'?

You are overthinking it. I used to watch It ain't Half Hot Mum, and those are the words to that song. If you want different words sing a different song.

I don't think the song is done as part of an homage to 70s telly :D

Yes it probably would be better to change it. If it's an intro to a night of entertainment, from the children, using 'male as default' isn't really on.

Was thinking, if the words were met the gang the girls are here, the girls too entrainment you! Then it would be really weird if there were boys as well and I think some of them might not like it. Also and this is depressing the scene conjured with 'girls too entertain you' is not quite the same as the other way!

Sorry for typos, on phone.

“But the song isn't about the Scouts.”
Yes it is. It’s the opening song for a gang show “Meet the gang” as in “Meet us”

Worked fine, sparklingbrook. “We are -we are here we’re here to entertain you”

I think that's a perfectly good solution Bertrand.

No don’t complain. Just suggest it as an improvement next year. 😀

They should change it to "kids".

Mmmm. Not keen on all that BR.

But I don't have a horse in this race so to speak, DC are well past it all.

Please don’t tell me this is turning into a “it’s PC gawn maaaaad” thread? About the theme to a 70s sitcom?