Melissa Bradford (mbradford@mediaone.net)
Sun, 25 Mar 2001 11:43:47 -0600
John,
I don't know what Exploring is, but boy scouts & girl scouts are not even on
the map in my opinion in terms of giving kids an opportunity to learn about
the realities of life. The power the children have in these organizations
is extremely low. They are basically adult-driven organizations, run very
much like schools, except with a different curriculum.
I was a girl scout for 7 years, and I learned great songs, learned how to
care for horses, built campfires, etc, and enjoyed it very much. I did not
learn any more about the realities of life than I did in schools, because I
did not have any real power or freedom.
My real education in life didn't begin until I was truly on my own, when I
graduated college. Then I suddenly I was free to do what I wanted, but had
to learn how to deal with the realities of life, had to take responsibility
for myself, and it was a very rude awakening. I was completely unprepared
for it. I feel the protective environment I grew up in did not prepare me
very well for adulthood.
Part of having freedom is that you find out how difficult it is to make what
you want of your life. If you are following the agenda adults set for you,
within the parameters they are willing to allow, you are being protected
from that struggle.
Melissa
> Melissa,
>
> I believe a good example of a protective environment - boy scouts and
> Exploring.
>
> These organizations allow growth commensurate with ability.
>
> John
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