Once I got involved, I did not tolerate the disrespect. I actually raised my voice at first often to get control. Several of the mothers complained including other leaders. When they did I had a simple question. “Why is your boy in the Scouts?” I got all sorts of answers, but I would tell them that the purpose of Scouts is to make strong men. It requires discipline for a boy to become a man. Otherwise he is just an overgrown boy.
The best part was that most of the boys actually desired the authority. They are looking for a strong man to lead them but sadly have very few to chose from today.
When I was a Scoutmaster, I told the parents that my job was to provide their boys with a safe environment in which to fail, because we learn more from our failures than from successes. The Mothers would be up in arms, but the Dads would nod knowingly.
For too many parents, “BSA” stood for “Baby Sitters of America”. “Mind our kid while we self-actual ice!”
My daughter was a real terror growing up. Ultimately, what she wanted was intervention, a comforting strong hand to help her through her travails.
In stepped well meaning adults to short-circuit the stability she really needed. It was a real shame to endure at the time. Very frustrating indeed for a father than wanted the best for her.
I think she has her life pretty well in tow these days. I’m glad to know it.