Yet, despite its unapologetic racism, its authoritarian tendencies, and its quasi-militaristic imposition of discipline, the scouting movement could be a liberating force for the young people who participated in it. This was especially true for Girl Scouts. Though they were instructed to learn “homemaking” skills that were not expected of boys, they also were constantly reminded of the importance of self-sufficiency and were encouraged to acquire as much competency as they could—messages that girls rarely heard in those years. Measured in terms of sheer participation, the organization may have
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