The Scouts are doing a badge for sex.
Or, to put it less sensationally, the Scouting Association is introducing a programme called My Body, My Choice for 14 to 18-year-olds.
The Scouts have got into sex education because they are concerned that the UK has the highest rate in Europe for unwanted pregnancy and STI.
STI is the acronym for sexually transmitted infection. In the old days it was called CLAP. I don’t remember what the initials stood for.
The aim of the exercise is to encourage teenagers to make “smart decisions” about their relationships. And to help young people become confident, clued up and aware.
I remember being eager, verging on desperate, and ever so slightly terrified. I could have done with a Scouts badge for sex. Even handier if the course offered practical tips. Like chatting-up techniques. Apparently saying: “You don’t sweat much for a fat bird” doesn’t do it. Or advice on kissing, to avoid being told: “Kiss me properly”.
In my day male adolescents would have died for a badge on undoing a bra with one hand. Or indeed undoing a bra with two hands.
Before we get too lubricious, I should point out the Scouting Association programme also reflects on the benefits of abstinence.
Whether it’s promoting chastity or safe sex, any initiative is welcome which spares young people a visit to the STI clinic or the abortion day surgery unit.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls says: “Make your own mind up and don’t let others do it for you. We only get one body -- so respect it -- and people will respect you.”
It’s pretty cool that the chief scout is a 34-year-old TV personality and adventurer called Bear Grylls. A wee change from that old bloke Baden-Powell.
Scottish Scouts are not entirely devolved from the UK association so they will presumably be doing the My Body, My Choice programme. But I couldn’t find details on their website.
The Scouts Scotland slogan is: “Choose fun, choose friendship, choose adventure.”
Trainspotting attitude with added abstinence.
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