To argue that this should is not a suitable topic for the Girl Guides

[MovedByFanciesThatAreCurled]

Girlguiding is for girls, aged 10-14. So why then do they feel the need to promote this on their social media?

This week is #AceWeek - a time to raise awareness and understanding of the asexual community. So here’s a shout-out to all of our asexual volunteers and members – thank you for everything you do in Girlguiding.

The reference to ‘members’ is quite clear. What on earth were they thinking in making reference to young girls’ sex lives (or lack of them according to the focus of the Tweet). How, as an organisation, have they strayed so far? I have two boys in the Scouts/Beavers and if this came up on either of their social media pages I would pull them out. Why is it seen to be an acceptable for Girlguiding?!!

It’s on their social media- aimed at adults.

It’s unlikely it’s ‘on the ground’ as a meeting topic in Guides for 10-14 year olds.

They’re still cooking on campfires and climbing trees.

@NoSquirrels

How on earth do you know that you are ‘asexual’ at 10. Ridiculous. At 10 most kids would be deemed ‘asexual’ - as they should be. Discussion of sex drives etc has no place in Guiding in my opinion.

Guides is not just 10-14 year olds!

At least understand the organisation you’re criticising.

I do, thanks to the informative comment on this thread. I can read. Perhaps you could understand that the ‘members’ the Tweet refers to does therefore encompass 10 year olds, which I find inappropriate.

How many asexual people are there and why does it need to be celebrated by a group that is primarily for children and yoing teenage girls. My view of this alongside it now being an organisation for anyone that identifies as a female (welcome to cross dressing adult males who love a uniform) is that a certain type of adult will claim an asexual identity to bypass children and other adults boundaries.

@TheKeatingFive

Would celebrating Pride month be a problem - celebrating same-sex female relationships?

Exactly. I don't see what's so 'revolting' about being aware of asexuality.

Because age awareness of sexuality is a useful safeguarding tool. Those of us trained to work with children know what is age appropriate and what's unusual or a red flag. If guiding leaders muddy the waters by actively introducing children to sexual topics it means those being abused are less easily spotted.

As I said previously, as an ex volunteer my safeguarding training was nowhere near robust enough to deal with this topic.

Oh another thread bitching about Girlguiding - #Yawn 🥱

@BelleOfTheProvince

It's not appropriate because those who normally deliver sex education are trained professionals with a wealth of knowledge and access to robust safeguarding. It's not appropriate to give an unpaid volunteer that level of responsibility. Recipe for disaster.

They're not delivering sex education though are they? That tweet is not sex education. They're just saying if you're asexual then you're welcome. It shouldn't need saying, of course, but unfortunately it often does.

Perhaps you could understand that the ‘members’ the Tweet refers to does therefore encompass 10 year olds, which I find inappropriate.

10-year-olds aren’t on Twitter.

If they are, there’s much bigger issues in their home life than finding out Sue the Leader doesn’t have a boyfriend because she’s not bothered about getting a boyfriend.

@LucyFox

Oh another thread bitching about Girlguiding - #Yawn 🥱

Not sure why you would bother to waste your time commenting them.

By having that tweet they are ensuring it is a topic that will come up in units

And no, absolutely, not well planned sex education.
Off the cuff, unplanned, not necessarily age appropriate.

10-year-olds aren’t on Twitter.

I assure you. Most ten year olds have at least one social media platform.
Ask any primary teacher.

How many asexual people are there and why does it need to be celebrated by a group that is primarily for children and yoing teenage girls.

About 1%, but that's likely a significant under estimation.

If we think it's appropriate to acknowledge the existence of hetero/homosexuality I don't see why we wouldn't also mention asexuality in that conversation. Not everyone has a sexual attraction and that's okay too.

a certain type of adult will claim an asexual identity to bypass children and other adults boundaries.

Erm say what now? It's a sexual orientation. What boundaries do you envisage being bypassed?

I dont think its an issue on a social media account that will be aimed at older guides, the leaders and indicating to the general public they are inclusive.

I dont think these sorts of topics should be the purpose of guide meetings. I used to be a leader but they seem to have moved away from useful fun skills to pshe lessons.

How about ITS JUST NOT NECESSARY !!!

Can there be no place where kids can just be kids ? - away from stuff that - as kids they simply don't need to know. Not everyone has to be 'aware' of every sodding thing in life before they are adults .
Why not let girls go to rainbows/brownies and guides and enjoy those clubs without ANY reference to sexually.
As Rangers are in an older age group they would also have had more 'awareness' of whatever label they wish to subscribe to rammed down their throats at school/college and pretty much every media outlet aimed at them.
Just not necessary in girl guiding and people need to stop this nonsense.

@BelleOfTheProvince so what age, in your professional opinion, is it “safe” for children to have knowledge of sexual orientation*?

*and let’s not be silly here, by sexual orientation what we’re discussing is attraction, fancying someone, NOT actual sex or sex acts.

When did sexuality seemingly become the most important thing in the world? So bored with it.

If guiding leaders muddy the waters by actively introducing children to sexual topics it means those being abused are less easily spotted.

All they're doing is acknowledging the existence of a sexual orientation. If it's appropriate for them to acknowledge hetero/homo sexuality, why not asexuality?

They need to stop banging on about it all the time and shoe horning it into every little thing!

How about ITS JUST NOT NECESSARY !!!

Is it necessary to acknowledge homosexuality?

I would never allow my female dc to join girl guides. YANBU

@PieMistee

I wouldn't have an issue at all with this. My kids are aware of asexuality as my friend is asexual. They knew about homosexuality by the age of 2 so why not asexuality?

Why do your kids know that your mate doesn't have sexual feelings towards other people?

10-year-olds really are not on Twitter.

They’re on TikTok if they’re anywhere.

If you can find me an official GG TikTok aimed at its young Brownies & Guides about asexuality - or any sexuality - then you’d have an argument I’d listen to.

I repeat - I have issues with their stance on gender, and the safeguarding implications there.

But this is not that. It’s a false equivalence.

@TheKeatingFive

How about ITS JUST NOT NECESSARY !!!

Is it necessary to acknowledge homosexuality?

For pre 14 year olds No It's NOT . Just as it's not necessary for them to 'acknowledge' heterosexuality !

No CHILD needs to bother their heads about sexuality. !! They are kids .

@Finknottlesnewt so you must feel the same about heterosexuality and homosexuality then.

Gay parents shouldn’t introduce the idea of heterosexuality and vice versa as it, apparently, makes their child less of a child? Yes, is that right?

Some of the responses on this thread are insane.

What's wrong with acknowledging that some people aren't sexually attracted to anyone else? Why is that inappropriate?

How old are your children, out of interest, @Finknottlesnewt?