You and Your Boy
How well do you know your son? Do you understand him as well as you’d like to? You’ll probably never learn to know your boy so well that he’ll never take you by surprise. That’s one of the things that makes life with him an adventure.
Most boys of Cub Scout age are active, energetic, and on-the-go. They love games and active play. They never walk when they can run. They throw things down more often that they lay them down. They slam doors more often than they close them quietly.
But not all boys are like this. A recent study [ed. This was taken from a 1967 document] of Cub Scout-age boys showed that a few are quiet, inactive, lacking that driving energy that is considered typical of young boys. I consider this interesting because it indicates to me that the same problems that we see today in 2004 are identical to circa 1967 (there are just more ways to do it). I believe we are the same now as we were then. It just seems that the “experts”, you know, the ones that have no kids but go to college to learn all about them, blame today and society. I submit to you that boys are boys, and the downturn in behavior and delinquency is our own fault as a society. Boy Scouting is as viable a solution to giving boys an upbringing now as it was then, and always has been. That is why I believe in what we are doing, and I think that as you learn and use the program designed by many gifted and genius people in and of BSA, you will too.
Many boys of this age have begun to take an active interest in learning new things. They are beginning to think things through for themselves. They want to know the “why” of things they are told as well as the “what.”
The study found that boys of this age cannot be stereotyped anymore that adults can. Some parents characterized their boys as trusting, considerate, and persevering. A few thought their sons were rough and rowdy or lazy and dependent. Some described their boys as affectionate and good-natured, and others said their sons were fearful and sad much of the time.
The most important factor in developing proper attitudes in your boy is your own attitude toward him. Don’t be too critical or too severe. Avoid making issues of the little things; but once you draw a line, don’t budge from it.
The thought that runs through his head very often is, They just don’t understand. (sound familiar in your own childhood thoughts? It does in mine) Your progress will depend largely upon your knack for showing him that you do understand.
Remember that he is an individual. He is not a marvel of the assembly line stamped “boy” who can be expected to behave in exactly the same way as every other creature called “boy.”
Most of all, remember that the day will soon come when you will miss his boyish reactions and enthusiasm. You’ll never have a chance to help him work through this period again. Make the most of it. Laugh with him. Understand him. As you do these things, his attitude toward you will change, too.
When I set out to write this study help and guide to assist new parents in becoming AKELA, I looked for sources of information that could help me collect my thoughts. I went back to my roots, my Cub Scouting days. Lo and behold, the very sentiments I hold true had already been published and used on me by my parents and leaders. I had never read these words in my old Wolf Book… why should I? they were words for parents, yet it is exactly what I believe… amazing the skill of our parents and leaders of that time. We were taught exactly like that which I have typed out for you. How could I reinvent that which has already been perfected, the Scouting program. Read on, and learn with me.
