This is more or less where I came down personally on the matter. Apparently, much of the Scouting family and others who weighed in on the issue at BSA's invitation agree. Scouting is for the youth. Adults are there to serve the youth.
This of course sets up another conversation some years down the line, but that conversation will happen when we get to that point even if we don't change the youth membership standards now. In the meantime, I think this is as good a decision as we can hope for in today's polarized society.
As a Council Executive Board member, I was sent an executive summary of BSA's research findings on this, and I am impressed at the comprehensive -- and objective -- nature of their study and the openness of their process. I'm sure it won't make everybody happy -- indeed, whatever the decision, some people are bound to be very unhappy -- but I can live with it and am willing to defend it.
