to think that it's unfair their aren't clubs solely for boys anymore?

[notterrysmine]

And if there are - please point them out to me.

My children are girly girls and boy boys. No intention on my part, but that is the way it is.

They adore each other, but their friends are of the same sex, they have chosen to go to same sex schools.

Now my girls have done girl guiding - very much for the girls and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now my son wants to do scouting, and in his particular group there are higher majority of girls and boys, he is not keen on continuing.

Even our boys brigade has girls and boys in it.

Girl guides are girls only with no equality issues - why can't there be boys only clubs?

AIBU?

As I say if there are boys only clubs please point them out to me.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

The reason Scouting was opened to girls was mainly because enrollment had fallen so low that they needed girls to keep the movement alive. Go figure.
As a Guider I am amused (and a little irritated) that Guiding is seen as a girlie option. We do all sorts of outdoor stuff - orienteering, stargazing, camps, and in the winter we do science evenings and so on as well as the traditional crafts and games.
We are also, may I point out, VOLUNTEERS.
So if you don't like it - you know what to do. Volunteer yourself. You never know, you might find leading 24 Brownies/Cubs down a muddy trail in the woods as rewarding as I do.

[pinkhebe]

I was only a brownie and that was in the early 80's and it was boring! or at least my pack was I do understand that things will have moved on from then and that different packs will do different things. I hope the hostess badge has changed

[Sirzy]

I loved brownies, hated guides so left and joined st John ambulance. 13 years later I'm still there!

I think the leaders can have so much influence on your enjoyment of whatever you do at that age.

[goingmadinthecountry]

If Guides round here was like that, my girls might have been interested. Sadly it's not.
I certainly appreciate all that the volunteers give. There are normally 6 or 7 adults who give up their hard earned holiday time to take our children (be they girls or boys) on memorable adventures.

[2rebecca]

I agree with the OP. If girls don't like the way guides etc is they should have changed it rather than being allowed to join the boys club.
I think venture scouts should be unisex once over 14 or so but younger boys often prefer to just be with other boys and I think it's nice for them to be able to do so.

[pinkhebe]

ours do a great job of that brandy, and the volunteers are great.

[cece]

In about 1983 myself and my best friend went along to the scout hut while they were meeting. There was a deathly hush when we asked to join, and we were sent packing

[AnnieLobeseder]

I still stick by my opinion that if we put less emphasis on gender differences when children are younger, there might be less emphasis on it when we're adults, and we women might not have to fight so hard to be acknowledged as equally capable as men.

When not treat all children as just children until they hit puberty and the gender differences actually start to matter?

[Sirzy]

Exactly Annie

[notterrysmine]

But puberty can be any age from 8/9.

I think it's important for girls to have girls clubs.

But also equally as important for boys to have boys clubs.

Plus all the mixed stuff going on as well.

[notterrysmine]

I would like to take this opportuntiy though to thank all the volunteers for running these clubs, and that there is at least some choice (although more for girls )

[notterrysmine]

Just looked up our Sea Cadets - take from 10 years, 50/50 split boys/girls. Still not getting the boy heavy ratio, but will see what their activities are.

[notterrysmine]

See why did this woman feel the need that she had to play in this band with all the bands in the country that are available?

www.brighouseecho.co.uk/news/local/girl_allowed_laura_joins_boys_only_club_1_2864322

[fayc84]

I didn't enjoy Brownies much as a kid and did ask why we couldn't do more outdoorsy activities rather than hospitality/cooking/sewing. I joined sports clubs rather than go on to Guides. Now I'm a Brownie leader (Snowy Owl) and love it. Our camp theme last year was 'fashion' and it is all a bit girly. Not surprised some of our girls choose to go on to Scouts rather than Guides. I do think it's unfair and sexist not to let boys in if they want. It is very much heralded as a girls only club yet you can imagine the outcry if there was a boys only rule for Scouts. Shame the activities at your son's Scouts are being changed and don't suit him. Not sure what the solution is other than to suggest maybe another pack if there is one on another night or different location.

[goldenticket]

I don't really get this thread - surely if the girls didn't want to do "boys" activities, they wouldn't be going to scouts? So I'm failing to understand where the problem is?

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/wanttojoin/cadets.cfm

Any good?

[AnnieLobeseder]

If girls can go to scouts, then boys should be allowed into guides.

I hate any sort of inequality.

[goldenticket]

I see your point but I think it's wrong that Brownies/Guides are girls only - I think they should be mixed too. Then the groups would be run according to interest rather than gender which is how it should be.

[TwoIfBySea]

At least one of my dts wants to join the Air Cadets but that is another four years away for them.

Just now there is nothing for them.

I'm thinking it'll have to be karate to give them something to do that way.

Think on this - us mums of boys only get a couple of rails of clothes to choose from, a wee bit of an aisle of toys - give us at least one thing they can have without the dreaded pink creeping in!

:)