America Benefits From Boy Scouts
J. Randolph Evans
Column No. 1024 (7/09/10)

During the Fourth of July celebrations, Americans saw them carrying
flags, posting colors, and helping people celebrate a great country.
For 100 years, a full century, the boys and young men wearing their
uniforms have reminded parents and grandparents that some of the best
men start with a simple oath:

               On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and
my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Of course, this is the oath for the Boy Scouts of America - an
organization with four million members (youth and adult) with over
100,000 Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout packs around the country.

Against this backdrop, the reports continue to mount regarding the
problems of boys and young men in American society today.  Indeed,
Judith Kleinfied, a psychologist and professor from the University of
Alaska in Fairbanks has focused on alarmingly high rates of functional
illiteracy and suicide among boys.
Among other things, she found that approximately twenty-six percent of
twelfth grade boys had scores from the National Tests of Education
Programs that were far "below basic" as opposed to only eleven percent
of girls.  Similarly, seventeen percent of eighth grade boys were "below
basic" while only seven percent of girls fell into the "below basic"
category.
These numbers are reflective of similar reports regarding dropout rates,
science scores, math scores, and importantly, overall academic
performance.  No one seriously questions that something bad is
happening.  And, it is a problem affecting America's sons, brothers,
grandsons, and most importantly, tomorrow's fathers.
But, the challenges for boys and young men extend well beyond declining
academic performance.  Indeed, these issues have grown into much more
significant issues involving their mental health.  Professor Kleinfied's
study also analyzed suicide rates using data from the National Center
for Health Statistics.  According to her analysis, the statistics
confirm an "alarming" suicide rate among young men.
For example, the rate for young women (ages 20 to 24) was 3.5 per
100,000.  Yet, among young men (ages 20 to 24), the suicide rate was six
times that amount at approximately 20.7 per 100,000.  These same trends
exist among 15 to 19 year olds where the suicide rate for girls was
one-fifth of the rate for boys.  (According to the data, the rate for
girls was 2.8 per 100,000 whereas the rate for boys was 12.5 per
100,000.)

The risk that troubled young men present to themselves is worrisome, but
the risks they pose to society is equally bad.  Statistics and reports
confirm what most simply accept - boys and young men disproportionately
commit more crime.  This is true when they are juveniles, and remains
true when they become adults.  As a result, more are in detention
facilities, jails and prisons.  And, there are no signs that these
disturbing trend lines are getting better.

Basically, at alarming rates, boys and young men are falling further
behind and becoming increasingly troubled.  But no one really wants to
talk about that.  Even as the numbers of young men in prison grow and as
the number of families without fathers increases, the focus remains
fixed on solutions aimed at accommodating the symptoms without solving
the problems.

But there are solutions.  The solutions involve some simple, but very
important concepts that Scouts learn, appreciate and live.  After all, a
good Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.  Can anyone
seriously question whether striving toward these qualities can turn
easily distracted young boys into fine young men?

The Boy Scouts of America states its purpose quite simply:

               The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America-incorporated on
February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916-is to provide an
educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to
train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to
develop personal fitness.

But, it is not just about the boys and young men who serve as Scouts.
It is also about the over one million adults who serve as mentors,
guides, leaders and role models.  These are Boy Scout moms and dads
investing the most important ingredient in changing the lives of young
people - time.  Time that makes a difference by teaching and
exemplifying the values and character necessary to make the next
generation better.

In looking for answers to problems that will not go away, Americans need
not look any further than the boys and young men in uniform, with the
parents and grandparents who care enough to volunteer, carrying the
flag, serving their community, and honoring the principles that have
made the United States great - the Boy Scouts of America.