When we think of crimes against the young, our minds quickly go to drug dealers, gangs, bullies and those who take advantage, exploit and abuse. These are all very serious and worrisome problems that our young face indeed. However, I would like to focus on a different, and yet just as serious a crime that is too often inflicted on them by the very people who seek to protect them. We do not look at these as crimes, but simple mistakes or "for their own good," but the results can be as devastating as any offense they face.
A simple look around at many of our young people and you can see the problems clearly. They are discouraged, bitter, empty, solemn and fearful. The problem of moody teens is not unique to this generation for sure, the problem is that it is growing to a dangerous proportion. The suicides rate among teens and early adults is at a record high.
Scouts see youth as the best time in a person's life and should be a time of adventure, discovery and imagination. This is the time to get their imaginations fired up, get them outdoors and learning to live off their own resources. Scouters know that once you release a young man to become what he was created to be, anything is possible.
There are many (what I call) crimes that come against the young. Although Scouting is mainly a program for boys, these “crimes” and faced by young women as well. I would like to examine just four that I believe results directly in their attitudes and beliefs.
“There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing
to believing nothing.”
– Maya Angelou
(1928-2014) American Poet
1) We do not teach them how to live right
The idea that we need to let our children, "go their own way and figure their life out for themselves" is a cop-out. That is the excuse for lazy people who do not want to take the time and energy to invest in our children. Young people do not know how they should live - their young. They learn right from wrong, good from evil from us. It is the responsibility of every adult to live a wholesome life with character and integrity so that our children will learn how it is done. Many young people do not believe it is possible because they have never seen it.
This is why the Scout Law is so valuable. We have two great resources available to us that, when we teach them and live them, will keep a young person on the track to a successful life. These are the Bible and the Scout Law. Remember that you do not have to be a boy to live by the principles in the Scout Law. These principles are universal and work for all humans.
2) We do not inspire our children
At one time the world was full of heroes. Not only did young people believe in heroes and strive to be like the good guy, but adults encouraged it. Now, the bad guy is the new hero and adults do not care. Inspire your young people to be all they can be, do all they can do and launch out for adventures and discovery. Get them books that build character and tell of the good people have done. Biographies of great men and women should be a part of your home library. Encourage them to watch good, moral based movies and shows. Help them to see the wonder and beauty in this world and to spend time with them enjoying it.
Scouting is full of heroes. Scouts have gone on to be Doctors, adventures, astronauts, political leaders, scientists and even Presidents. It does not take much work to find great men who came out of Scouting with the tools they needed to succeed.
3) We do not encourage them to dream
Adults have become so cynical that we do not believe that people can achieve greatness anymore. That disbelief goes down to our children and they begin to feel hopeless and without purpose. Encourage your young people to dream and to desire to achieve greatness. Show them that despite any hardships or difficulties they can be anything they choose to be. They can change the world.
In Scouting we believe that every Scout had the potential to be great. We do not know who will be the one to discover a cure for cancer, find a new energy source of save thousands of people from starvation, but we do know they are out there. The answer is simple, help every Scout to become all they were created to be. Nothing is impossible to them that believe.
4) We don't believe in them
When you feel that no one really believes in you, you just stop trying. Our young people have been told by adults in their lives, teachers, leaders and all kinds of media that they are losers and the world is falling apart. We must help them to understand that they can change the world and make it better. Even more, we must really believe they can. I know that the young people today will be our leaders tomorrow. It is for our own good as well as the welfare of our children that we teach them to be all they were created to be.
It takes work and focuses to invest in the young. We can all be a part of Scouting. You do not have to have a Scout in your home to be a leader. If you do have young people in your home, get them involved in the Scouting program. We need to put all we have into seeing that they become self-reliant, ambitious, positive and hard working. The best and most efficient way to do that is by example. There is no better way to be an example than to learn and live by the Scout Law, no matter if you are old or young.
Believe in our young people, believe in yourself. Help them know that it is possible to live a good, productive life full of adventure and possibilities by living that life yourself. Don’t make the mistake that Scouting is just for kids. Being a Scout can do more than change the life of your child, it can change yours.
You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.
Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com. © 2018 John Patrick Hickey
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