To put dd's names down for Scouts - DH thinks they are a "psuedo militaristic organisation that pledges allegiance to the monarchy and reinforces class divisions."

[morningpaper]

Well I thought that the Brownies and Scouts were okay but DH has objected that I have put their names down because they are "psuedo militaristic organisations that pledges allegiance to the monarchy and reinforces class divisions."

I told him they are probably full of working class Muslim eco-warrier children but he says no.

AIBU?

I think that statistically about 94%of DCs are state educated, I was amazed at how low a percentage are privately educated so HE must be even lower. If you are part of the community it really doesn't matter where or how you are educated. Scouts crosses all boundries. (sorry-I knew that you meant 'normal' in lifestyle Butterpie-I'm just not sure how you can define 'normal'-I like the idea that everyone is unique and I don't like being pigeon holed)

My household is far more military than scouts for God's sake, and being married to a serving military officer, I might just know!

I went to Brownies; it enabled the children educated at the village school and the children living in the village but educated at private schools in our local town to mix and mingle. Which was a very good thing! And I learnt/honed a lot of useful life skills.

Riven - I'm thrilled that now your dd has finally got into a Beaver colony it's going well, I remember being appalled (as a Beaver leader) at how difficult the local groups were making it for you both.

No Woodcraft Folk round us so Scouting/Guiding only options.

MP I was a Guider LOL

I deffo fit 2nd definition (not Muslim but- well you know me

PrincessPeaHead: "Also Scouts do Attract Strange Men As Leaders" (Quoted from page 1)

Yep... As a uniformed Scout Leader who is 36 weeks pregnant, I'm certainly a Strange Man.

My youngest charge isn't even English and she goes to Brownies and swears allegiance to the Queen.
She even wrote her a letter.

What would OP's DH do if the DD wanted to join the army cadets? Would he impose his views, or would he let her go?
I expect that there is many a young soldier serving in Afganistan at the moment whose parents were against them joining up, but they didn't make the mistake of saying 'I am your father, I will tell you what to believe and you will make sure that you believe it'!

You can encourage, lead by example and support, but you can't IMO impose your views-not unless you want a rebellion!

You're not being unreasonable and your view is probably in the majority. I'm a cub leader and your husband is definitely out of touch in terms of 'class division'... scouting is about as all-inclusive as it gets these days - class, gender, disabled/able-bodied, religion etc. Yes, we have military origins, wear uniforms, wave flags occasionally and we promise to do our duty to God and the Queen when we join. If that really bothers your husband then there's not a lot anyone can do to convince him otherwise, I expect. (Is he the grumpy type that stays sat down with his arms folded for the national anthem?)

But the ceremonial stuff is not what keeps kids coming back each week. They want plenty of fun activities and we provide them within a framework of 'do their best, think of others before themselves and do a good turn every day'.... far more interesting!

The ceremonial stuff is also not what the leaders go for every week. I interview new leaders for all sections. We have a panel and we always have to get to the part where we ask them how they feel about the promise to God and the Queen--generally they are not part of organised anything but are happy to 'go with the flow'. I haven't come across any that fit OP's DH's prejudices.

Have you tried asking on freecycle? It is brilliant in our area.

Riven your group, if it's worth its salt, should have either spares or be able to help you with getting it. If you're stuck I'm sure I can find one kicking about here, speaking as a 37-yr-old mother of 4 'strange man'

Um - I haven't trawled through all the posts but MP - what does your dd want to do? It is her that will make promises, get involved etc Surely that is the main thing? She can try it and if she doesn't like it well then..

I reckon your DH is spot-on.

Does it matter though Snobear? Her DH isn't wanting to join! Or is the DC supposed to say 'yes dad-you are the parent and you can tell me what to believe?'
I can't get my head around the fact that because you give birth your DC has to believe what you tell them to believe. Maybe DC doesn't think it true, maybe DC has a mind of her own!

I never wanted to be a Guide at that age (Scouts didn't have girls at the time) but that sort of attitude from parents would have made me want to immediately join! It is so narrow minded.

I agree pisces - it was my son who came to me and asked to go to Cubs. It is one of the best choices he ever made.

I can't think of any other organisation that gives such freedom and responsibility, so cheaply.
The DCs get out in the open and camp in primitive conditions, they have to use their initiative. They go walking, sailing, rock climbing etc. They go out on midnight hikes. They have to map read, they have to use their initiative and work together as a group. The older ones help the younger ones.
They are still willing, in these days of the nanny state and health and safety, to take the DCs away and do all these things. They gave my DS a knife to cut long grass, he cut his hand, they took him to A & E to get it stitched and still let him have a knife-I was most impressed (and he didn't cut himself again!). It is a world wide organisation-they get together and learn about each other.They are all inclusive. My DS has friends all over the world. He has been to Switzerland where they have a wonderful international centre Kandersteg
It is all run by volunteers who give up their time.
They start these things early and start camping at Cub age (Beavers can camp with a parent). Where else can an 8 yr old go and not wash for an entire weekend?!

Then some person, with out dated prejudices, can just knock it, without offering to put themselves out to run an alternative!
I dare say he doesn't even think that he is narrow minded!

This is amazing reading. When did everyone get so scared of everything, as if people are lurking round corners waiting to indoctrinate their children. It's so sad that children are being denied so much because their parents are paranoid loons. Thankfully the last few posters seem sane but the rest...weird!

LOL Rockbird... I "left" the Guides under similar circumstances