HAGELIN: Scouts honor is good for boys

Culture Challenge of the Week: Disrespectful boys

It happens so often now that I’m sorry to say I’m not surprised any more: teenage boys dropping the “f-bomb” as a matter of everyday language; slouching around with no concern for others; and being just plain rude.

While walking down the sidewalk in Washington recently, two young men behind me used the “f”-word several times in casual conversation before they jumped on their skateboards and whisked by, nearly knocking me down. At an event on a college campus where I stood in line with both young men and women for about an hour, the guys repeatedly used the crude word in conversations with the girls about mundane things like class and shopping.

When was the last time you saw a young man open the door for a female or an older person — or even say, “please” or “thank you”? Let’s face it, chivalry and respect in young men are hard to come by these days. Radical feminism has taught our boys that door-holding and other such genteel behavior are insulting and smack of “gender roles” that should be obliterated from society. Further eroding our ability to teach young males the virtues of civility and plain thoughtfulness is a media culture steeped in crude, selfish and foolish male images.

Battling a culture that devalues civility in general and purposely attacks tradition makes it seem impossible to teach our sons how to be gentlemen. Where can a parent go for help?

How to save your family from raising slothful, rude boys

Join the Boy Scouts of America.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of the finest organizations the world has ever known.

As a mother of two Eagle Scouts, I can personally attest to how Scouting reinforced my husband’s and my efforts to teach our young boys to become men of honor. In Scouting, you and your boys are surrounded by other parents and families who seek to grow males who are thoughtful, true to their word, polite and chivalrous. They work hard, play hard, strive to achieve meaningful goals, and are taught to help other people.

The Scout Oath (or Promise) says it best:

“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 times;

To keep myself physically strong,

Story Continues →