DECLINING MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL STRUGGLESDespite the organization’s efforts to become more inclusive, the Boy Scouts of America has faced declining membership and financial struggles in recent years. The bankruptcy protection sought in February 2020 was a result of the organization being named in about 275 lawsuits related to sexual abuse claims, with another 1,400 claims reportedly being aware to insurers. The Boy Scouts have been working to compensate more than 80,000 men who filed claims stating that they were sexually abused while involved in scouting.
In response to the changing cultural landscape, the Boy Scouts of America has made significant changes to its membership policies in recent years. In 2013, the organization began allowing gay Scouts to join, followed by the inclusion of gay adult leaders in 2015. In 2017, the Boy Scouts announced that they would allow transgender children who identify as boys to enroll in their boys-only programs, in line with their commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Perhaps the most significant change came in 2017 when the Boy Scouts of America announced that girls would be welcomed into the program. This decision allowed girls to become Cub Scouts as of 2018 and join the flagship Boy Scout program, which was renamed Scouts BSA in 2019. The inclusion of girls opened up new opportunities for young women to earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, with nearly 1,000 women joining the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in 2021.
The inclusion of girls in the Boy Scouts of America has not been without controversy, as the Girl Scouts of the USA sued the organization over the use of words like “scouts” and “scouting.” However, a settlement was reached after a judge rejected the claims and allowed both groups to continue using those terms. Despite the legal challenges, the Boy Scouts of America has continued to expand its membership to include a more diverse range of participants, reflecting the changing demographics of the American population.
Throughout its history, the Boy Scouts of America has weathered various controversies and challenges while maintaining its status as an iconic organization in the United States. Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts have been synonymous with values like leadership, service, and personal growth for generations of young Americans. With the recent changes to its membership policies, the organization is striving to adapt to a more inclusive and diverse society while upholding its core principles and traditions.
As the Boy Scouts of America rebrands itself as Scouting America in an effort to focus on inclusion, the organization is poised to continue serving as a vital resource for youth development in the U.S. Despite the financial struggles and legal challenges it has faced in recent years, the Boy Scouts of America remains committed to providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow through outdoor adventures, community service, and leadership training. With a renewed emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, the organization looks to the future as it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of American youth.
