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?!!

Telling a child that some men love men and some women love women is age appropriate.

So why isn't it also age appropriate to say some people don't want to be in a relationship with women or men?

Sharing your sexuality on SM where children can see it is not.

Children that young shouldn't be on social media to begin with.

but teaching them that some people don't want to be in a couple is not OK?
That's totally appropriate and doesn't require a label of asexual.

@BelleOfTheProvince

but teaching them that some people don't want to be in a couple is not OK? That's totally appropriate and doesn't require a label of asexual.

In your opinion. Many of those who are asexual would strongly disagree.

Novel concept to teach children that its ok to be a child and not have to feel they have to be an object of sexual desire or be full of sexual desire before adulthood, i know.

Thanks for saying this so clearly @RedToothBrush I think back to my 14 yo self - I’d have been mortified to have had discussions of my own sexuality at that age. I just wasn’t interested. I wanted to learn stuff and do stuff.

@TwinklyBranch

I don't see the issue. It's reassurance that asexuality is normal, and that is very important for some young people to know.

No-one sends their daughter to guides for any kind of sex education though, it's not the time or the place.

@NoSquirrels

Girlguiding is for girls, aged 10-14

GirlGuiding encompasses all the age groups, from Rainbows through Briownies and Guides, then Rangers (14-18) and then there are the adult members - there’s membership for 18-30 and then the leaders etc.

So - I’m not sure your premise that ‘members = 10-14 year old girls solely’ is at all accurate.

Sexuality is a topic that will come up during teen years and Guiding has always been big on celebrating diversity in its membership. Would celebrating Pride month be a problem - celebrating same-sex female relationships?

I’ve got my own issues with the way they’ve handled gender and made it a single gender not single sex organisation by stealth.

But I can’t get worried about this one.

I agree.

While there are obvious issues with asexuality sometimes being a sign of a problem (say poor mental health leading to a loss of sex drive), I don't see a problem with teaching young girls that not being sexual objects for the use of men is an option. Alongside knowing about LGB.

Doesn't require any magical thinking, dodgy stereotypes, age-inappropriateness (10-14 is absolutely fine IMO)

Being asexual is not the same as not having an active sex life - your lack of awareness is good enough reason for younger people to be provided with more information.

Why should girls be shielded from information about this aspect of sexuality, any more than other facets of LGBT?

Historically, pride week the emphasis was on love. That's appropriate for children.
Pride in it's current guide is not suitable for children.

@BelleOfTheProvince

but teaching them that some people don't want to be in a couple is not OK? That's totally appropriate and doesn't require a label of asexual.

Bullshit.

People who are asexual shouldn't have their orientation shoved under the carpet because it makes you uncomfortable.

Would you think it's okay not to use the word "homosexual" when discussing gay marriage too?

Asexuality is a sexual identity, like being gay or bisexual. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for kids to know about sexual identities. No discussion of sex lives is required in any way, and insisting that there is something unsavoury or inappropriate about acknowledging the existence of non-heterosexuals is LGBTQIA+ phobic.

I actually find this instance very worrying. It's potentially saying that if ten year olds don't feel sexual attraction they could be asexual, rather than simply being a child.

It's not my opinion.
It's the national curriculum

From what you posted all they did was give a shout and thanks to any asexual members by a tweet. If this made any member feel a bit less isolated then surely that is a good thing.
It doesn't look like they are pushing any agenda so I wouldn't see an issue here at all.

@TheKeatingFive

I am not scared. I just think there’s no need for it in the context of Girlguiding at aged 10

Would you never acknowledge the existence of hetero or homosexual relationships with 10 year olds?

Not at girl guides, no.

My sexuality is one small component of my life. It's not relevant or appropriate in a lot of contexts.

And for the people saying it's just a tweet, did they miss an identical discussion about the facebook posts yesterday?

@titchy

How did they celebrate lesbian day again...?

Don’t be silly. Women aren’t important.

@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?

Agreed. My child will know about all other types of sexuality to the same level as she knows about heterosexuality. So if it isnt appropriate to know something about heterosexuality at a given age - I.e. if too young to know mechanics - then same will be true of other sexualities. This sounds like just an acknowledgement asexuality exists, nothing more so I dont see how it isnt 10yr old appropriate

@Hugoslavia

I actually find this instance very worrying. It's potentially saying that if ten year olds don't feel sexual attraction they could be asexual, rather than simply being a child.

No, it's not.

It's saying that feeling that way doesn't make you weird or a freak or odd. And it's perfectly okay to learn that at age 10, just as all ten year olds have learned about straight marriage and gay marriage without somehow imploding.

Why are people so scared of their children learning about different sexualities and types of relationship?

I really am not even a little bit worried about that. But I find it odd how much adults are forcing children to focus on sexuality in every context. It is odd. I saw a tiktok recently where this American teacher was going through each school grouping and explaining how she tells children about her sexuality. Just why? Why are adults so determined to make sure that children are forced to affirm and understand them in this way? So inadequate.

There is an appropriate time and place for everything. But I cannot recall an instance of any club or group I was part of as a pre teen or young teen where this would have arisen naturally so it's hard to see why it needs to be shoehorned in.

@Hugoslavia

I actually find this instance very worrying. It's potentially saying that if ten year olds don't feel sexual attraction they could be asexual, rather than simply being a child.

But the tweet doesn't indicate that they're teaching about it. Its just a tweet acknowledging those in their organisation who are?

You are mistaken about membership of Girlguiding. It is for girls aged up to 18 and part of supporting those older girls and young women (as well as the women volunteers who are mostly members too, by the way), is making clear they are welcome and understood. Sometimes that means saying things out loud.

@TheKeatingFive

I am not scared. I just think there’s no need for it in the context of Girlguiding at aged 10

Would you never acknowledge the existence of hetero or homosexual relationships with 10 year olds?

I’m not sure if you are deliberately misunderstanding what I am saying. In the context of Girlguiding I don’t think it’s appropriate to bring sex and sexuality up as a ‘taught’ or featured topic. That is completely different to not acknowledging different attitudes to sex and different sexualities. It’s not an overly complex position and I will not have people implying that it’s a bigoted one. Children deserve some spruces in life where this just isn’t a relevant topic, just like they deserve some spaces where it is.

YANBU

They get so much information about sex ans sexual orientation from friends, school, social media it’s surely ok to hang out in a space where no one talks about it for a bit.

My sexuality is one small component of my life. It's not relevant or appropriate in a lot of contexts.

But equally it's important for children and teenagers to know that it's okay to have a sexual identity that's outside of the "norm" and that it doesn't make them weird or odd.

You don't need to go into huge detail about it, just acknowledge that it's just as normal and healthy to feel that way as it is to be gay, straight or bisexual.

*spaces. But spruces are nice too.

Would you think it's okay not to use the word "homosexual" when discussing gay marriage too?

It would not be initiated in ks1 and lks2. It would be talked about using simpler vocabulary and only explored if it came up. (By explored I mean by a competent teacher with safeguarding training, not a volunteer teenager)

Homosexuality is the appropriate vocabulary for uks2. It is not covered in any great depth, neither is heterosexual sex. Mostly body changes.