Boy Scouts Name Change Sparks Fierce Backlash: 'Destroyed by Wokeness'

Some social media users expressed anger this week after the Boy Scouts of America announced it was changing its name.

"Another institution that was great for boys to learn how to become men, has been destroyed by wokeness. What's next, they going to wear little girl brownie uniforms," @USBornNRaised wrote on X, formerly Twitter, responding to the announcement.

On Tuesday, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they were changing their name to Scouting America, which they say will reflect "the organization's ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting." The name change is expected to go into effect on February 8, 2025.

"This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Scouting America currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, including over 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout," the organization said in a press release.

Roger A. Krone, president and chief executive officer of Scouting America said, "Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be Prepared. For Life...This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting."

A number of other X users also responded to the name change with many criticizing the organization.

X user @therealZNO said, "What exclusion has there been? There's 'The Boy Scouts' and 'The Girl Scouts'... Am I missing something?"

X user @loganclarkhall of The Blaze said, "conservatives love to talk about transgenderism infiltrating female spaces but you hardly ever hear them push back on the decades-long effort to feminize traditional male spaces."

X user @blackhawkce457 wrote, "Find another program to put your kids in. Pretty soon it will be run by drag queens and called twerk camp."

Radio host Mark Davis said, "God help us. We can't have 'boy scouts' any more."

X user @iAnonPatriot said, "Boy Scouts of America will drop 'boy' from their name," and included an eye emoji.

X user @AngelRe96386095 said, "Leave the Boy Scout name as it is. Guys can't get a break. Do women have to be involved in everything that is specifically for the guys? Grow the hell up females! Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be one."

Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Florida congressman said, "Oh they gonna hate this one."

Some other social media users were happy with the change, such as X user @hartzell965 who said, "Eagle Scout, here. I love this."

Newsweek reached out to the Boy Scouts of America via email for comment.