Scouting Builds Positive Character

Post date: Oct 22, 2015 5:29:41 AM

A new study from Tufts University measures objectively and scientifically the impact we have on young men, and the results are startlingly positive. The study, conducted independently and funded by the Templeton Foundation, followed 2,000 boys over a period of three years. Like any proper scientific study, a “control group” of non-Scouts was examined and compared to the observed Scouts. Factors like sports and other activities were equalized between the two groups to make it an apples-to-apples comparison. 

The boys were measured on six parameters, which include cheerfulness, helpfulness, obedience, kindness, hopefulness, and trustworthiness (sound familiar?). In every one of these character traits, boys in the Scouting program improved through the three years of the study. Non-Scouts actually showed a decline over three years in their scores for cheerfulness, helpfulness, and obedience measures. The non-Scouts had modest improvements in kindness, hopefulness, and trustworthiness, but not nearly to the degree that Scouts did.

The full Tufts University study can be found here.

http://scoutingwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BSA-Tufts-Study-Councils-FINAL.pdf