An American Boy during the 1960s: The Scouts

I wanted to be Cub Scout, but my parents didn't like the idea and didn't let me. Although my father had been an enthusiastic Boy Scout, they thought the notion of scouting for little boys vulgar. In the early 1960s, American Cub Scouts didn't wear shorts and knee socks--at least the packs my friends belonged to. This was in sharp contrast to Cubs in most other countries--almost all of which wore short pants. Some American Cubs did wear shorts. Most of the Rockwell illustratiins show the boys in shorts. I think boys in wealthy communities, the South, or California were most likely to wear the short pants uniform. At an rate I was never able to join.

Later on, I wanted to join the Boy Scouts. I wan't all that keen on outdoors activities, but I rather liked the idea of wearing a uniform. American Boy Scouts in the mid 1960s often wore short pants--much more so than in previous years. This varied, however, quite a bit around the country. For a lot of American boys in the 1960s, Scout shorts and knee socks were the only shorts and knee socks they would wear. Anyway for one reason or another, I never did join.

Author: Bruce McPherson







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Last updated: October 14, 1998