My Lady was a Brownie, when she was very young.
Her mother gave her dolls to play with, as well as trucks. She always had an 'open' kitchen, but never "pushed" cooking on her. At the same time, her father also had an 'open' tool box, and always welcomed her when he was working on the truck, or around the house, whatever. (he was a heavy-equipment operator whilst she was a cook in a large Northern facility)
The point of the above ambiguous and generalized statement is this: My Lady was NEVER pushed in one single direction. She was extended opportunities, and free to choose for herself. This was back in the early 70's. (you do the math)
Now, after my meeting her in University, where she was pre-med, she primarily takes care of me. She doesn't own a purse, and can't stand them. She also gives me a hard time about footwear, and is proud to announce loudly that "I have more shoes than she does". (This is because she doesn't have hiking boots or feedlot boots yet)
My Lady cuts the lawn, shovels the snow (I learned her how to drive a snowblower, and now she wants to snow-blow the whole yard because she enjoys running that thing) changes tires on the truck, (struggles a bit with the star-wrench) cleans the house (immaculately), wrenches on the truck, lawnmowers, garden-tractor, boat, and together we accomplish anything that needs to be done regarding house/garage/shed repairs or improvements. For two main reasons:
I personally can't physically do this stuff anymore, like I used to,
We can't afford to hire anyone else to do it for us,
She isn't afraid of anything (except spiders, but that's another story)
Now, I won't deny that when we met,,,, cooking was a bit of a different story. Not only was she a 'self-proclaimed vegetarian'.... but also, if the meal wasn't in a package and microwaveable, then it wasn't edible to begin with.
Not only am I happy to say that I've cured her of the vege-disease, but together we have learned not only how to cook, but to cook meals to a considerably higher degree than anyone else that we know. Everything is from scratch, and nothing is 'plain' or 'simple'.
And though she had learned to shoot as a child, I have her now interested in goose, duck, and deer hunting. She's come a long way,,,, but at the same time her "starting point" was much further along than most other children/adolescents that I'm aware of. I have a few friends, that I'm afraid their children are "more than a little confused" as to their position in life. (that's all I'm saying on that front)
Boy Scouts should remain for boys
Girl Guides should remain for girls
Their curriculum's should be EQUIVALENT and/or BALANCED
There could be a 'mixed' version called SQUIDS or GOUTS,,, but I see problems with that. With the developing minds, they should be focused on the situation being taught/experienced, without the added distractions of natural development. They get enough of that all day, every day, at schools, sports events, and everything else. Give the kids a safe, simple, interesting, enjoyable venue to grow, build, learn, experience, and develop.
That's my two centavo's, and I hope it is garnered in the manner I've intended.
