General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA caller on a local AM radio talk show
in the Twin Cities asked the host of the show whether he would be in favor of allowing his daughter to share a tent with a heterosexual boy. This was, of course, a discussion about the BSA dropping its rule against gay scouters.
The host was in favor of the BSA's rule change, but couldn't come up with a counter argument for this caller. That segment of the show is over, but the host missed an opportunity here.
It's not a matter of sharing a tent with someone. If I were the host of the show, I'd have said, "Well, I let my teenaged daughter go on dates with boys in their cars. I don't see the difference, really. If they're going to have sex, they'll find a place to do that, regardless of my wishes. Whether my daughter has sex with a boy is not something I can control, whether it's in a tent or the back seat of his car."
The assumption that caller was trying to promote is that all gay Boy Scouts are trying to have sex with all other Boy Scouts, and shouldn't be allowed to be in the Boy Scouts. That's just a silly argument. Adolescent boys make their own decisions in matters of sex. If they want to have sex, they will. Scouting is about other stuff, not sex. The assumption that a gay Boy Scout can convert a heterosexual Boy Scout into a gay Boy Scout is an invalid assumption. People do not choose their sexual orientation. It's not an issue.
No doubt parents worry about their children who are adolescents. They worry about them having sex, too. But kids are allowed to date, and to be alone with other kids. Their orientation isn't the issue. Adolescents make their own decisions. Thus has it always been.
Happyhippychick
(8,379 posts)Because when parents worry about their daughters sharing a tent with a boy they are concerned about her safety first and her sexuality second. We don't "worry" that a boy will be taken advantage of by a girl, at least for the most part. What these people are concerned about is not that their boys will have sex, but that their boys will be raped. So now we are labeling homosexual men as rapists because that is another way to demonize them.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)The rape thing wasn't in my thinking. It's equally specious as an argument. Thanks.
Bottom line is that we allow our children, especially our adolescent children, to venture out into the world. Risks ensue.
That said, when I was a sophomore in high school, a girl who was a senior did try to take advantage of me. I allowed her to do that. Enthusiastically, I must admit.
Arkansas Granny
(31,507 posts)guy or boy to have sex with, therefore accusing them all of being rapists and/or pedophiles. They will not consider any other scenario.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)I'm sure there are people who think that, but thinking people don't.
Arkansas Granny
(31,507 posts)that all gay men are predators. Most of them are not even aware that they have most likely had dealings with a gay man at one time or another because they are expecting the stereotype that they see on tv.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)regions, too. We apparently know different people, I think.