Girls are weak, emotional, can’t drive and like pink and makeup according to Girlguiding.

[nononsene]

link here

I’m utterly speechless.

Whats the context? That reads as if it was done deliberately to highlight stereotypes and spark a debate.

They’re not saying that’s what they think. That’s a list of stereotypes associated with being a girl. It says it right in the text you’ve screen-shotted.

Can you post the link for a better context for that text?

You need to provide a bit more context.

Looks like an activity about how gender and stereotypes are constructed though - not sure what the issue is?

You need to have a look at the new girlguiding programme, it’s brilliant!

apart from being utter horseshit, what a boring guide meeting. that kind of head up arse stuff is bad enough when you are paid to listen to it.

what happened to DOING things???

I think those are the stereotypes that the girls experience, not what they actually think. I've done a similar thing, and it's quite enlightening.

The new programme is full of activities which promote the idea that girls can do anything.

It sounds like an activity to discuss stereotypes

Stop overreacting and learn to read the context of things

I think you’ve missed the point. Either that or the guide group that my DDs go too missed the point, they did something similar and the “girly” words were designed to have the girls challenge the stereotypes. They came home full of “girls can do anything” buzz and it’s good for them as the school they attend is very boy heavy.

It is part of an activity on exploring what gender means. This particular activity is for the Senior Section (14-25 year olds).

There are resources for other sections in girlguiding which address gender issues in an age appropriate way. For example the Brownies look at things they are told/believe girls can and can't do, and how that builds stereotypes. They also look at bullying and celebrating people's differences.

special subject - this is one part of a balanced programme. We don't have to be just "doing things" all the time. There is space for talking and thinking too.

Suggest that anyone who wants to know what Girlguiding think about girls' experiences check out the Girls' Attitudes Survey - they've just published the 10th one.

The Girlguiding Mission makes it obvious why we've got a load of merchandise with Girls Can Do Anything plastered all over it.

Girlguiding is far from perfect, but having spent the last 108 years [quietly] subverting ridiculous gender stereotypes [to varying degrees], they've not suddenly flung themselves into a weird world of embracing that mad shite.

sorry, but I would have been bored senseless by that at 16 and it would be the same now. admittedly I am not of the soshul meeja generation but was brought up not to be a sheep driven by appearance. the concept that my genitalia affect my mental capability was never mentioned as it is clearly a stupid idea. Never came across it at university or at work either, both in fields were most were male. People just werent that thick.

Obviously it does happen and the current obsession with appearance has much to blame. Never compliment someone on looks ( not an achievement).and stamp on the description of women ( especially dead ones) as ' beautiful ' - very insulting.

Why not just say ' only the stupid think genitalia affect behaviour and intelligence ' and then get on with life?

That's an activity to challenge stereotypes. You've completely taken it out of context and used it to paint Guiding in a bad light.

You do realise that individual units are run in different ways? Mine certainly isn't boring.

Also to the above OP, Guiding starts at the age of 10, not 16. Guides typically move on at 14-15.

I am involved with the Guides. FWIW I think the value is in what you do not what you say. GG should avoid telling girls what to think - they ought to respect that girls and their parents may have different views and concentrate on what they do best - providing an environment and experiences that naturally engage and empower women and girls.

Well if it was the intention to talk about the stereotypes then it was a pointless one given they think girl is nothing more than a costume made up of these stereo types and that placating boys is nore important

I'm pretty sure that's what the activity was to drive out the stereotypes that girls hear about in relation to being a girl.. pretty sure that from the next paragraph onwards it sounds like the discussions moved on to how they challenge such stereotypes and labels?

I have no idea why I said 'pretty sure' twice in the same paragraph

To be fair that's not what the link describes at all is it.

As much as I think GirlGuiding are digging themselves into a hole with their equalities policies and positions on transgender people, this link is not an example of that.

They have some great resources on girls attitudes & experiences - they just completely fail to link it to how it might potentially conflict with their inability to discuss transgender IMHO.

The more and more I see about Guides and Scouts the more I'm inclined to take my son off the Scouts waiting list.

It clearly says in the screenshot that they chose typical stereotypes about girls and women to spark a conversation about feminism? I think we'd need to see the full page - can you link? - but it seems very positive and an interesting discussion about gender stereotyping and how the girls feel about that?

Go for it, Alpha. No one will care.

I've spent 19 years being involved in Guiding. If it wasn't for the fantastic girls and women in my life, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I owe them a lot. The organisation is empowering for young women and, depending on who is running the Unit, can be life changing for some.

It's the same as school - you get a decent teacher, you remember them, you're inspired by them. Guiding works in the same way.

Eh? You've totally misunderstood op.
That's obviously a list of what negative stereotypes are associated with being a girl, and this would start off a discussion about what to challenge.

That is the most misleading description of a link I’ve seen for a while.

I’m a guider but I don’t work with senior section so I haven’t done that activity but it’s pretty obvious what the purpose is.

There is plenty of “doing” in the new programme (and the old one), but nothing wrong with having some talking and reflecting too.

sparklesocks there's a link in the OP.

It's interesting that the girls know the difference between sex and gender (if you read the full article on the website). But I wonder how they marry that with GirlGuiding still claiming to be single sex when they let in people depending on their gender. That cognitive dissonance isn't doing anyone any favours.

My daughter does Brownies and it is exactly the opposite to how you’ve portrayed it - so much emphasis on confidence, assertiveness, leadership, alongside science badges and astronomy badges and even a pilots one now. I did Brownies millions of years ago (it feels) and it was pretty dull, it’s absolutely nothing like that now, I am so impressed.

Thanks so much to all the Girl Guiding volunteers posting here for providing some fab activities in your spare time