Sunday, 8 February 2009

Scouts Given Condoms to ‘Be Prepared’

The British Boy Scout Oath pledges that a Scout will perform his duty to God, his country, his fellow scouts and other people in addition to keeping himself “physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.” He also lives by the motto to always “be prepared.” In an effort to help scouts live up to these goals and always be prepared for anything, the Scouting Association of Britain is urging that young Scouts between the ages of 14 and 18 add outings to sexual health clinics to their yearly trip agenda.
In an effort to get young Scouts to open up and be more at ease in discussing sexual topics with other members of the Scouting group, the Scouting Association is recommending these visits to health clinics. The association feels that by visiting the clinics, it may help “break illusions of what these services are and improve the uptake of advice.” Peter Duncan, a Chief Scout, is realistic about the situations young teenagers face in their daily lives, “We must be realistic and accept that around a third of young people are sexually active before 16 and many more start relationships at 16 and 17. Scouting touches members of every community, religious and social group in the country so adults in Scouting have a duty to promote safe and responsible relationships and, as an organization, we have the responsibility to provide sound advice about how to do that."
The association has stated that leaders of Scout troops may distribute condoms - Durex condoms, to be precise - to Scouts only on the condition that “they believe the young person is very likely to begin or continue having intercourse with or without contraception.” If the Scout leader feels that the “physical or mental health are likely to suffer” for one of their Scouts, they can go forth and distribute condoms to that particular Scout. Furthermore, the association urges Scout leaders to “encourage young people to resist pressure to have early sex.” If necessary, the leader can open up a dialogue with the Scout’s parents or guardians to discuss any concerns; however, the leaders “should be prepared to offer appropriate information” to the Scout if he is asked.
Duncan states, "I firmly believe that the confidence, skills and self esteem young people gain through the incredible range of activities Scouting offers is the best way to equip them not to feel pressured into a sexual relationship before they are ready." In addition, Beverly Hughes, the Minister for young people, has voiced her support of the association’s new policies, “While our teenage pregnancy rates are coming down and are at the lowest rate for over 20 years, there is much more to do to ensure young people have the knowledge of safe sex and they need to prevent early pregnancy and look after their sexual health."

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