When I was a Scoutmaster in England and then an Assistant Scoutmaster in Burbank, I used to look forward to a segment at the end of the weekly meetings titled, Scoutmaster Minute. A true scout meeting is run by the boys. The leaders are there to guide, mentor, and to make sure the building is still standing when the scouts are done. However, this segment belonged to a leader (it didn’t always have to be the Scoutmaster). This section is a time for the leader to share with the boys a story, thoughts, or experiences in order to teach some part of scouting. My favorite was when I talked to the boys about character. As a scoutmaster and teacher, I feel that this is a trait that we must help young people to grow.
I would always let the boys know that character was one area in which they had the most control. This was the area in which they chose who and how they would be. For character isn’t how you act when others around as much as how you act when nobody is watching.
As part of my minute (okay, I keep saying minute and they were never that short), I would bring up a four-way intersection. A driver pulls up to this intersection at four in the morning; he has a red light. He looks around in all directions and saw no other cars. He waits 30 seconds and the light remains red. What does he do? Many of the boys said they would break the law and go. Others said they would stay, but only due to fear that there may be a police officer hiding somewhere. Some stated that they would wait since that is the expectation. I have some state that this is not a fair scenario since I set it up to be four in the morning and nobody is around. I would respond that that is when character is the most visible.
I also use a set-up of the scouts walking a trail and finding a wallet full of money. I do not mention if anyone else is around. They ask that question first. I tell them that they are alone. I like this scenario because it is more likely to happen to the boys. I allow them to discuss the ups and downs of each. Most of the boys due come to the conclusion that they would return the wallet intact. Some state that it is the right thing to do. Others say that they would want somebody to be honest if the scout’s wallet had been lost. I think there are some who want to keep it, but are afraid to say it aloud.
So why am I thinking about character today. I know that the character of a child is developed at home first. Parents, through example not words, help a young person shape this important trait. However, it soon has outside forces impacting on the way a person’s character changes. They learn from other parents, relatives, teachers, principals, adults in their lives, and adults they see. Each of those groups has good examples and bad examples of people with character. The input is constantly coming in their direction and children must learn early on which to accept and which to deflect.
I guess in a way this is where I miss days of past. While we have always had good people and bad people, young people have never had them thrown in their face as much as today. With the 24/7 media going on, we constantly are being shown the bad that goes on in the world. Movies and television shows show how those doing wrong can profit more than those doing things the right way. Then we have our political leaders. It has almost gotten to a point that we glorify those who do wrong and shun those who do right.
I know that it is up to the parents to ensure that what their children watch is appropriate. However, with technology everywhere, this becomes difficult. One cannot even go into Wendy’s, McDonalds, or even better restaurants without televisions being right there. Parents cannot control that.
The thing I find most interesting is that with all of this available to young people, with society praising people without character (watch people at the political rallies), with our children being filled without examples of those lacking this trait, how is it that we can complain about the young people in our country not having good character? We are getting what we grow.
It is funny because when I have these things popping in my head, I start looking into my own life. I start wondering about where I stand. I find that while I try to be a good example, I slip. I start wondering about those choices I make when others don’t know. Do I actually give me all to what I am doing? Do I find a way to justify checking social media during the work day? Do I make promises that I cannot or do not want to keep? How is my character? These questions make me wonder if I am holding our leaders to a different standard. It is through thinking and writing this piece that I come to understand. We need to live to the same level that we expect of our leaders. How can I ask them to set the example for my child when I don’t always set the example? So this is a wake call for me, I will strive to live to the same level of character as I expect those leading our country and world.
Thank you for meandering with me today.