Research Proposal on "Why the Boy Scouts of America Overturn Its Ban of Homosexuals From the Group"

Research Proposal 3 pages (1125 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Boy Scouts of America have long been renowned for their dedication to their country and community, and strive to instill their values of camaraderie and unity in others. However, the Boy Scouts of America recently came under fire for their policies against homosexuals including their ban of gays and the recent overturning of their policies against them.

The Boy Scouts of America have been around for 103 years and were incorporated on February 8, 1910 under the District of Columbia's laws (Boy Scouts of America). In 1911, the Scout Oath, Scout Law, badges, and fundamental policies were adopted, and in 1916, the Boy Scouts of America adopted their Constitution and bylaws (Boy Scouts of America). The Scout Oath is as follows,

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

And to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all time;

To keep myself physically strong,

Mentally awake, and morally straight (Boy Scouts of America)

According to the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook, "morally straight" is defined as a "person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance" ("Morally Straight").

Likewise, the Scout Law states, "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent" (Boy Scouts of America). The 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook defines "clean" by stating, "A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean" ("Morally Straight"). It is these definitions of morally straight and clean that have created undue pressure towards homosexuals in the Boy Scouts, whom leaders believe do not fit the definitions of "morally straight" or "clean."

The issue of homosexuality does not appear to have been a problem within the Boy Scouts of America until 1978 when the issue was first addressed. In a 1978 memorandum, the Boy Scouts of America stated, "In the absence of any law [in the United States] to the contrary, the Boy Scouts would have to obey laws that prohibit discrimination against an individuals employment on the basis of homosexuality," while simultaneously declaring that any individual who identified himself as homosexual could not volunteer to be a Scout Leader ("BSA's Policy On Homosexuals"). At this time, the Boy Scouts of America were concerned with avoiding the violation of any individual's civil rights and while the issue was revisited on a case-by-case basis -- if any members of the organization declare himself a homosexual -- the organization did not take any formal position on the issue until 1991. In a Position Statement dated June 24, 1991, the Boy Scouts of America declared,

We believe that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the requirements in the Scout Oath that a Scout be morally straight and in the Scout Law that a Scout be clean in word and deed, and that homosexuals do not provide a desirable role model for Scouts.

Because of these beliefs, the Boy Scouts of America does not accept homosexuals as members or… READ MORE

How to Reference "Why the Boy Scouts of America Overturn Its Ban of Homosexuals From the Group" Research Proposal in a Bibliography

Related Research Proposals:

Boys and Girls Club of America Thesis

Marketing Management of Boy's And Girl's Clubs

Marketing Management Analysis and of Boy's and Girls' Clubs

The Boys and Girls' Clubs of America is facing several significant challenges to its… read more

Thesis 15 pages (5025 words) Sources: 8 Style: APA Topic: Management / Organizations

---

Group Processes: 12 Angry Men the Movie Data Analysis Chapter

Group Processes: 12 Angry Men

The movie 12 Angry Men may be one of the most comprehensive studies of group processes in the history of American cinema. Most people are… read more

Data Analysis Chapter 3 pages (1078 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Law / Legal / Jurisprudence

---

America's Interests and Involvement in Cuba Term Paper

Americas interests & Involvement in Cuba

Political

Economic

Social

Sources of the revolution

Nationalism, economic, social, political.

International

The view from the United States

The Revolution and the American intervention… read more

Term Paper 13 pages (4606 words) Sources: 10 Style: Chicago Topic: Latin America / Mexico / Caribbean

---

Group Counseling Attitudes and Perspectives of Clients Research Paper

Group Counseling

Attitudes and Perspectives of clients who Are Involved in Cancer Care Group Counseling

Organization of the Research

Group Counseling

Quality of Life

Group Counseling

Chapter-III Research Methodology

Grounded… read more

Research Paper 19 pages (5248 words) Sources: 20 Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

Group Session Counseling Professional Report Term Paper

Group Stage of Development

Individual and group dynamics

The meeting which I attended was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. My very first encounter with the concept of Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was… read more

Term Paper 7 pages (2146 words) Sources: 10 Style: Harvard Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>