Time to grow up, boys

The Boy Scouts of America aren’t having a good year.

Last week, more than 20,000 confidential files were released naming more than 1,000 volunteers forbidden from association with the group based on allegations of sexual misconduct with underage boys.

This scandal comes hot on the heels of the 112-year-old organization’s reaffirmation this summer to exclude gay men from joining or becoming leaders.

While these two pieces of news represent two very different spheres of consideration, the organization is being criticized for policies that can be viewed as outdated and malicious.

In light of the recent Penn State child molestation scandal, we as a society must come to understand that sexual misconduct with minors is still wrong today no matter how long ago it occurred.

Attorney Kelly Clark of Portland, Ore., has said he represents more than 100 men who were members of the Boy Scouts as children.

He said half of them have dealt with addiction issues, and at least three have
committed suicide.

The long-term effects of child molestation are just as horrifying as the immediate problems.

There are serious questions to be asked here. Why is the Boy Scouts organization releasing documents only from the years 1965-85?

Are they doing so only because the courts have legally bound them to?

This is an organization that wishes to sweep its mess under the rug and go about business per usual.

We all know ignoring the problem works much better than confronting it, especially when that problem involves thousands of minors who have been wronged.

That was sarcasm.

Though there is no defense for molesting a child, one most consider the era in which these abuses occurred.

While in today’s society we openly discuss the dangers of sexual predators with our youngsters, sexual molestation wasn’t something candidly discussed in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

As society has progressed, the Boy Scouts organization must advance along with it.

In a world in which we must do everything within our power to protect and safeguard youth’s welfare, children look to authority for guidance.

When adults in leadership roles abuse that power, they must face due consequences.
No amount of public embarrassment can rival their deplorable actions. No organization should protect these monsters, even if they risk humiliation.

It’s unfortunate the organization is embodying archaic and dusty societal standards of a bygone era, refusing to move progressively into the 21st century.

We can only hope public unrest regarding their actions will eventually force them into contemporary times.

It’s about time these boys started acting like men.