Girl Scouts in the U.S. are tested with intellectually intense activities that require them to explore their world, while their counterparts in the Boy Scouts focus more on rote answers and following orders, according to a new study examining the century-old organizations.
Kathleen Denny, a sociology graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, combed through the handbooks for the two programs — the U.S. counterparts to Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada, respectively — to examine the activities and badges aimed at children typically around nine and 10 years old.
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The boys’ program included more science while Girl Scouts had more artistic activities. And the girls’ handbook mixed brainy activities with suggestions to throw a “colour party,” to see which clothing and accessories look best. Further, girls’ activities often had cutesy names such as ‘Rocks Rock,’ while BoyScout tasks got more serious labels, such as Geology.
Ms. Denny argues the Girl Scouts’ slightly frivolous attitude to science and other badge-earning activities could make girls less likely to take these topics seriously as hobbies or careers.
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