To think scouts isn't the place

[Crockof]

Scouts on Thursday, 24 boys and two girls. They spent the whole night talking about periods, showing tampons and towels playing period related games. Aibu to think this is not appropriate, as a girl I would be mortified. There was no advanced warning. Had they spoken about boy puberty as well I would be less concerned

Just had a quick look at the red box project. It looks good but I would have wanted to know before they were doing this. I can't imagine how I would have felt being one of only 2 girls in such a large group talking about this. It's just a sensitive age and kids can be horrid.

My dd got a period positive badge (pics of a tampon and sanitary towel on the badge) at guides. The girls made donations of sanitary protection to give to a local charity, talked about periods. Just asked my 11 yo ds how he'd feel if they did it at his scout troop. He said, "I wouldn't object, but the boys probably wouldn't need to do it. It might be more useful for the girls.". Really struggling to see the issue here.

@chilledteacher from your post?? 'after learning about periods at scouts.....' apologies if I read this incorrectly

Good that they’re learning it but not really the right setting imo. Parents, schools should be doing this stuff.

Also, I thought schools had to let parents know when they were teaching sexual health topics so they have the option to opt out?

@Crockof no need to apologise for "reading incorrectly"- tbf I can see how you did, I would however like an apology for your "I feel sorry for your sons" judgemental comment towards me which was quite frankly rude and uncalled for.

@nanflanders I think at guides it is a great idea. But @nancy74 it is a sensitive age and I do feel sorry for the girls

This is terrible, we must absolutely limit how much they learn and how often and where they learn in case they..learn something. Scouts is only once a week, they may be missing out on learning something else that they may not get the opportunity to learn at school or home.

Playing games about periodsreminds me a bit about the woman sky diving advert not really what I feel. Sit about eating my own body weight in chocolate may of been more fitting.

I would have no issue with my Ds ( scout ) going but the fact it was vague smacks in the face about let’s be open about it.

It doesn’t sound as if this was gracefully done at all. Poor girls no wonder they’re mortified. It sounds as though what was supposed to be a serious topic developed into a nasty joke.

Yes, I think that's it. It's a good idea to the right audience. I don't think 2 girls who may not have started, or just started their periods, amongst a group of 24 12 year old boys is the right audience. I suppose the measure is to to ask them if they plan on doing the same about wet dreams or erections for a group of 2 boys with 24 girls present. Although I dread to think of the games that might involve

@chilledteacher it was neither rude not judgemental. In your post you said your sons learnt about periods through scouts. If this was the case I would feel sad for your sons. As is now evident this was a mid understanding and you had already done what all good parents should have and educated your sons.

@nancy74 jeez erection games....

Would be interested in what the scout Facebook said. Have not heard of red box prior to this thread.

I was in the scouts twenty odd years ago, we did lots of outdoors activities, played sport and learnt life skills (first aid, cooking outdoors... etc). It was a pretty even split with lads and girls in our group yet we didn’t sit around discussing periods, why would we?! If I wanted to sit around talking periods I’d have gone to guides! I joined for the adventure and activities, which is what I got. I’m a bit sad if this is what they are doing now.

Oh I can see both sidesides somewhat.
It is good to be open about periods and puberty but I'm not sure scouts is the right place especially without parents being communicated with first.
Also I have a daughter who is a scout. She's the only female among 15 boys, this would be excruciatingly embarrassing for her if they discussed this at scouts.

BTW I also have a boy scout, he knows all about periods but I don't think he'd be comfortable hearing about it at scouts, this is a place he goes to socialise and learn some new skills, I don't think this is the right place especially without parents prior knowledge.

Boys and girls are taught together when it's sex education at my school. I think it's much better than being segregated - both sexes need to hear about it.
Scout leaders aren't paid professionals. They are volunteers, usually busy working parents who are bothering to get off their sofas and make a fantastic contribution to the lives of young people. Frankly I think we should be really grateful for them doing their best.

Snowdrops that is a fair point and I do really appreciate them, I volunteer for a other organization and appreciate that it is a thankless task

my dd is 14 and in scouts. Their scouts is 50:50
I would be astonished if they did this. I think it is the wrong place. And for a set up with 24 boys and 2 girls the girls must have felt totally embarrased.

Very different in school, where the numbers are more equal and the subject is expected.

dd herself obviously knows all about periods, we have always been very open in our house, ds (older knows it all too) but dd would have been 100% mortified in this situation and not wanted to return the following week.

I realise families are all different,boys are all different but really - don't they know about periods by the time they are 12? Presumably at least some of them have mothers,and sisters?
It's periods,it's biology.The games don't sound unreasonable.Perhaps this is one way for boys to learn not to snigger and be awkward around the topic and for girls to learn that they don't have to be mortified by it coming up in mixed company.

My DD is in yrv7 now. In her last year at primary school her (very competent) teacher covered this topic. With forward warning for parents to ask any questions. It was done sensitivily, in an age appropriate way by someone who is a trained professional. Girls and boys had seperate lessons and were then brought together for a shared lesson.

Wow, it's true, there really IS a period badge (for girl guides, at least).

I us3d to be in the scouts, screw brownies was too girly. We never got taught anything like that. I wouldn’t expect them too.. I think that’s the place for school... scouts was one of the b3st parts of my childhood and I will never forget the things I learnt, the people I met and places we went.

The period badge was reported on in the national press when the new badges/resources were launched last year. It was doubly contraversial because it (apparently) makes reference to it not just being women who menstruate (trans inclusive). But I haven't actually read the material personally so can't confirm how it phrases or presents this..

This is the post from the leader, I haven’t shared the rest of the post as it includes pictures of the children involved.

I think the more we can demystify periods and stop this odd shame and secrecy around a perfectly normal bodily function, the better.

@LucilleBluth

Why would having sons instead of daughters alter our opinion on this issue?