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?!!

@coronawireless

Nope. She thinks she’s Asexual because her friends have already started talking about how attractive other boys or girls are and she has never understood it. Girlguiding made her realise it’s normal to feel like that and she emerged a lot happier.

Locally also do workshop on periods and give girls sanitation packs along with straightforward diagrammed instructions on how to use tampons which even schools don’t do. Girlguiding can be a really useful resource for girls.

It's not 'discussing sexual preferences' but acknowledging they exist

“I’m not in a relationships and have never been interested”. Fine, probably for older children.

“I’m not in a relationship because I am not capable of sexual attraction”. Over sharing and lack of boundaries.

“I’m not in a relationship and I’m not capable of sexual attraction to other people but I still have sex”. Grooming

@WiseUpJanetWeiss

Because you can like how sex feels without being attracted to the person.

I can accept that, but why is this labelled “asexual” and conflated with a total lack of interest in sex?

It's not conflated with total lack of interest in sex. It's the label for a sexual orientation. Asexuality is a spectrum. People on here are conflating it with a total lack of interest in sex.

@Franca123 so what you are saying is, this is a topic about which you have little experience and no knowledge.

I’m not sure how many times it has to be said but this tweet does not mean it is being discussed at meetings

It is aimed at adult members and volunteers not children who don’t even use social media anyway

No one is discussing their sex life with their brownie pack

People seem obsessed with this tiny part of what has been said on here

Words and their meanings are important. There are several PP who think that “asexual” means “without sex” and “without sexual desire”. Indeed I thought that until I read some of the other posts.

I’m still waiting for some of the experts on here to tell me what the word is for people who have no interest in and do not have sex.

If there isn’t one, why is that? What is the motivation behind grouping those with no interest in sex together with those who like sex but do not experience sexual attraction to other people?

It’s curious, isn’t it, that there are so many neo-terms surrounding sexuality and gender yet the people who have no interest in sex don’t get a term to themselves?

@KatieAlcock

I am much more worried about the FB post than the tweet (it's NOT just a tweet) as it not surprisingly attracted loads of replies from adult leaders sharing their sexuality where young girls can see (and even if sticking to the rules 13 is young). They were all also doubling down on "this is FINE to share" "of course our safeguarding training is great" etc etc.

I'm concerned by this comment. People (adults) aren't allowed to be open about their sexuality now? They have to stay in some kind of closet if they work with kids?

My daughters know that particular teachers in their schools are gay, or that they are in heterosexual relationships (in some cases with another teacher in the school).

This is far from worrying. Seeing diversity in their role models is an incredibly valuable thing.

It's not conflated with total lack of interest in sex. It's the label for a sexual orientation. Asexuality is a spectrum. People on here are conflating it with a total lack of interest in sex.

Well it is. PP have stated that some asexual people have no interest in sex.

However, if they are wrong, perhaps you can tell me the “label” for someone who has no interest in sex.

People on here are conflating it with a total lack of interest in sex

Which is exactly what I thought initially.

This thread has educated me. I now know that some asexuals have sex with people they aren’t attracted to. And that for some reason - GG - who by definition work with children, have decided to raise awareness of this specific sexuality.

@TubeOfSmarties

I'm concerned by this comment. People (adults) aren't allowed to be open about their sexuality now? They have to stay in some kind of closet if they work with kids?

No just the ones who don't fit the heterosexual norm apparently

I’m still waiting for some of the experts on here to tell me what the word is for people who have no interest in and do not have sex.

Low libido? How does knowing what asexuality means mean that you're and "expert" on sex drive?

Well it is. PP have stated that some asexual people have no interest in sex.

Some asexual people have no interest in sex. Some heterosexual people have no interest in sex either. Interest in sex does not equal sexuality.

This thread has educated me. I now know that some asexuals have sex with people they aren’t attracted to. And that for some reason - GG - who by definition work with children, have decided to raise awareness of this specific sexuality.

Some heterosexual have sex with people they're not attracted to.

OK I'm out. This asexual thing makes no sense whatsoever. It's completely incoherent. Have your label and have your flag

That’s just it. So many deeply felt identity labels on this thread not only differ but contradict.

People (adults) aren't allowed to be open about their sexuality now?

Actually, I don’t want to know that even though Jane from accounts regularly shags her husband she has never experienced sexual attraction to anyone.

And if Jane was my primary aged child’s teacher and telling them this I’d call the police.

Put simply : Jane talking about her husband/partner/girlfriend whatever - fine.

Jane talking about sexual feelings (or lack of) - not fine. Including at work. I don’t actually care

@slashlover

This thread has educated me. I now know that some asexuals have sex with people they aren’t attracted to. And that for some reason - GG - who by definition work with children, have decided to raise awareness of this specific sexuality.

Some heterosexual have sex with people they're not attracted to.

Women in general are expected to not enjoy sex. So the fact that girlguiding does talk about it is really helpful.

Some heterosexual have sex with people they're not attracted to

So why are you assuming they’re heterosexual and not asexual?

@slashlover

I’m still waiting for some of the experts on here to tell me what the word is for people who have no interest in and do not have sex.

Low libido? How does knowing what asexuality means mean that you're and "expert" on sex drive?

Well it is. PP have stated that some asexual people have no interest in sex.

Some asexual people have no interest in sex. Some heterosexual people have no interest in sex either. Interest in sex does not equal sexuality.

This is utter, utter bollocks. Asexual has a definition. You can’t just re-write the dictionary and appropriate it to your own purposes.

I’m out.

@Ozanj

Women in general are expected to not enjoy sex. So the fact that girlguiding does talk about it is really helpful

What kind of world do you live in ?

[quote DameMaureen]@Ozanj

Women in general are expected to not enjoy sex. So the fact that girlguiding does talk about it is really helpful

What kind of world do you live in ?[/quote]
A world where women are choked, have bleach poured into their vaginas, and tortured but the men get let off because apparently they wanted it.

This is utter, utter bollocks. Asexual has a definition. You can’t just re-write the dictionary and appropriate it to your own purposes.

I’m out.

Again, for the ACTUAL dictionary.

noun
a person who has no sexual feelings or desires, or who is not sexually attracted to anyone.

@nolongersurprised

Some heterosexual have sex with people they're not attracted to

So why are you assuming they’re heterosexual and not asexual?

If they are not attracted to anyone then they are asexual. If they are not attracted to this one specific person but are still attracted to others of the opposite sex then they are heterosexual.

@Ozanj that doesn't explain the point at all .

This is utter, utter bollocks. Asexual has a definition. You can’t just re-write the dictionary and appropriate it to your own purposes

Apparently, you can.

Why not? It worked for 'lesbian' and men have been telling women abour appropriate female sexuality for years.

I appreciate it’s a valid sexuality for some people.

But if you were to pick a number of characteristics to lower children’s boundaries this one is perfect.

1. give children’s perfectly normal sexual feelings (or lack of) a name. See the 10 year old up thread. Saturate them with information about sexuality and the 100 genders so they don’t find it weird or creepy.
2. give it a flag, chuck in a few related genders and some social media posts to make them relevant
3. tell children that some people who identify like this will still enjoy sex with people they aren’t attracted to, and this is normal for this sexuality

[quote Ozanj]@coronawireless

Nope. She thinks she’s Asexual because her friends have already started talking about how attractive other boys or girls are and she has never understood it. Girlguiding made her realise it’s normal to feel like that and she emerged a lot happier.

Locally also do workshop on periods and give girls sanitation packs along with straightforward diagrammed instructions on how to use tampons which even schools don’t do. Girlguiding can be a really useful resource for girls.[/quote]
She’s not asexual. She may be in the future but not now. So telling her she is us inappropriate.
Just because periods are also discussed doesn’t make it ok.