Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood

[Bella3502]

“To particpate in their agenda is immoral. Do you want your daughter earning “family planning” badges by making a field trip to planned parenthood???”

I agree, this is a very inappropriate thing to say. And quite false as well.

I buy the cookies every year to support the organization. A field trip to Planned Parenthood???

 

[1ke]

Bella3502:

I agree, this is a very inappropriate thing to say. And quite false as well.

I buy the cookies every year to support the organization. A field trip to Planned Parenthood???

Unfortunately, it is not false. They have several “health” related badges that include sex-ed and yes, even a field trip to a clinic.

 

[1ke]

Island Oak:

This connection seems highly overblown and unrepresentative of the experience of the vast majority of girls who participate in GS, including my two daughters who attended their troop meetings at our parish.

And as for the cookies…I’m up to a case and a 1/2 and counting…I find I simply can’t say “no” when it comes to Thin Mints.

It is unfortunate that you think so, as it is not overblown. National GS explicitly and openly support PP. They produce objectional materials and place them in the handbooks and on their website.

 

[Brenda_V]

x4us:

My family is very serious about our committment to God, and my daughter is a Brownie - is there anyone else out there who has had a positive experience w/ Girl Scouts for their daughter? Being in Girl Scouts was a high point of my childhood. Kate

Yes. Both as a girl and as an adult. I was in Girl Scouts from first year Brownies (second grade - Brownies started in second grade then) through third year Junior Scout.

Then as an adult as a leader and Service Unit Manager. We had our problems as well which is why my troop didn’t continue past second year Cadettes.

At the time my youngest was in Girl Scouts and I was the leader of her troop our local Council had broken ties with PP. One of our Directors (a very devout Catholic) had pointed out how GS and PP had very divergent philosiphies and could not work together. Of course, this could have changed since I was involved, much has. Many of the leaders I knew at the time basically divorced themselves from Council and National and followed the books and did their own thing.

Brenda V.

 

[Aurelia]

When my daughter was in Brownies, we had to pay dues, buy a handbook, buy the uniform and sell cookies. Whenever they had an activity or field trip, we still had to pay for it. So where does all the money go?

 

[Island_Oak]

1ke:

Unfortunately, it is not false. They have several “health” related badges that include sex-ed and yes, even a field trip to a clinic.

Please keep in mind that girls of all backgrounds and creeds participate in GS. Moreover, no one is compelled to join the organization. That said, there is nothing inherently immoral about sex ed–in fact there isn’t a parent out there who doesn’t have this responsibility. Also keep in mind many of these badges are “optional.” Thus, if a particular topic seems inappropriate to a given troup, family or individual girl scout–they can simply opt not to undertake the steps to earn that particular badge.

I wish we someone could provide the criteria for the badges described above so we could form a meaningful opinion about whether there is really anything objectionable going on. And as for the field trip…are you suggesting the manual specifies it must be to a PP clinic-or-just to a doctors office/health clinic? There is quite a difference.

 

[vluvski]

I’m 23, and my GS experience from Daisy to Senior was very positive. Neither my parents nor me knew anything of the PP connection, but my parents were so meticulous about shielding me from any sex-ed that I’m sure they kept an eye out for those badges.

Even so, now that I know the connection, I wouldn’t do it for my (future) girls, and I won’t buy the cookies either. There are too many other positive organizations that aren’t in bed with abortuaries and gay activism.

 

[estesbob]

Scapular:

The Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood have, in recent history, had an unfortunate and mutually supportive relationship - at least at the executive levels.

Because of this we are uneasy about buying those yummy Girl Scout cookies.

What do we tell the sweet girl scouts when they come to sell their cookies?

Obviously, this is not the time for deep apologetics.

Thanks,
Scapular

I bought some Girl Scout Cookies the other day. It was an easy decision to make as we are in a small town, know what the troops do and know those who run the groups. No badges for visiting planned parenthood here. i dont know what I would do if , howver, i lived in a area where the Liberals had hijacked the troops.

 

[jess7396]

My daughter will not be joining GS, nor will we be buying any of their VERY yummy cookies b/c, even if small (or more likely, well hidden) they do support PP.

I have friends who have suggested Little Flowers Groups, and I intend to start one here next year .

 

[Kansas]

estesbob:

I bought some Girl Scout Cookies the other day. It was an easy decision to make as we are in a small town, know what the troops do and know those who run the groups. No badges for visiting planned parenthood here. i dont know what I would do if , howver, i lived in a area where the Liberals had hijacked the troops.

When I first heard about the controversy, this is how I felt too. My first thoughts were that at our local parish level, troop girls would never be exposed to anything outside of their faith since we as leaders would not allow it. Then, I was reminded that someday our girls will be older, most will be very media savvy and some will no doubt find out all that has been going on with Girl Scouts. By checking dates, they would know that there was controversy back at this time. They would also know that their leaders were good people and must have known these things yet they remained Girl Scout leaders, so these issues must be acceptable to them. This is what influenced me more than anything. I love my own daughters and the girls I lead in the troop too much to let them think that I support these things outside of our faith. By wearing the uniform, calling yourself a Girl Scout and paying dues to the national organization you are supporting the whole organization and all they stand for no matter where you live or what goes on in your troop or community. Girls can have the same type of experiences in another group and never have to worry about representing an organization who supports things outside their faith.