<p>A ban on gay Scout leaders has been in place for a long time. Yet somehow Boy Scouts have been molested during the same period. Can you explain that, Beliavsky? </p>
<p>Excellent posts 75-80 - thank you.</p>
<p>
Experts who study molestation have stated repeatedly that the evidence does not support the idea that homosexuals are more likely to molest children than heterosexuals. Molestation and abuse are acts of violence and power, the sexual components are secondary.</p>
<p>
That is all what?</p>
<p>
As a rule, cub scouts do not do overnight camping, although Webelos at least can do parent-son overnights. Boy scouts (starting at 10 1/2) camp overnight without the requirement of parental attendance.</p>
<p>
BSA rules state that no leader of either gender shall be alone with an unrelated child. Period. So anyone leading a troop “in a solo capacity” is already breaking the rules big time.</p>
<p>I think there is a need for openly gay scout leaders, coaches, mentors -
so that gay youth involved in those activities have role models.</p>
<p>How’s that, frazzled1?</p>
<p>I totally believe there should be more than just one scout leader at any time with a group of kids.</p>
<p>alh, I agree. I wonder if the BSA will get there. They did agree not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation for Scout membership, and I was surprised to see that. So who knows what might eventually come to pass?</p>
<p>I also agree with shyanne - it just makes sense to have more than one adult with a group of kids, for so many reasons. As in, what happens if one of the adults is hurt or seriously ill? Is that not the current requirement in Boy Scouts? It is for Girl Scouts, certainly. Though that is another requirement that apparently does not make molestation impossible.</p>
<p>The current BSA policy requires 2 adults on any trip or meeting. In addition, there is a policy of no one-on-one private meetings. If a scoutmaster is holding a scoutmaster conference with a boy he needs to be visible to others, ie picnic table at the campsite. In addition, an adult cannot drive a single boy who is not his son, there must be another boy or adult in the car.</p>
<p>Girl Scout policy takes it a step further and notes the 2 adults cannot be related. This comes into play if you have a troop sleepover at the house.</p>
<p>
Yes, this is the current requirement and has been for decades. There must be at least two leaders at any meeting, there is never to be an instance in which there is a single leader and any number of youth not related to them.</p>
<p>Two-deep leadership was the rule at Cub Scout Day Camp when my husband and I were volunteering. And adults were not allowed to accompany scouts in to bathrooms or changing rooms, either.</p>
<p>The issue with molesters is they know they are violating the 2-deep policy, but ignore it, since they are also committing crimes. </p>
<p>One step BSA has taken is to make the boys aware of the 2-deep policy and let them know it is OK to not enter a situation where 2 adults are not present.</p>
<p>In both of my sons’ BS troops, they 2-deep policy was always in place and it was a well known policy among the parents and boys. This gave us, as parents, a real peace of mind. It also gave my husband peace of mind when he was acting in the capacity of an assistant scout master. Within these 2 troops, he never once saw this rule (and the other rules about not being alone with a scout, always being visible when with a scout, etc) violated. Maybe our troops were unique.</p>