u/bananapeelsz

Context:
I’m 15 years old, male, a Life rank Scout (almost Eagle), and I have been involved in Scouting since the 6th grade. I want to join the OA so I can gain leadership experience, have fun, and strengthen my college applications. I’m absolutely willing to go through the challenges of the induction so I can have the chance to join.

The issue:
Every time I ask my parents if I can attend the next OA induction, they say “No.” I’ve been eligible to join OA for two years and have been voted to be the OA representative in my Troop twice, yet they still deny me. I ask persistently and never nag about it. It has now reached a point where whenever I ask, they jump to negative conclusions.

More Context:
I believe my parents only see the OA as a bad organization and don’t see any benefits in joining.

My mom has never been involved in scouting before, but my aunt only tells her the negatives about my cousin’s induction (which was in 2024), such as small food portions, being forced not to talk, and service projects. Whenever I bring up the benefits of the OA, she resorts to lecturing me about a horrible (not true) exaggerated version of the induction.
She also believes that joining OA won't help me in college admissions, that I’m too busy with two sports, clubs, and scouting, and she tells me to focus on getting into the National Honor Society (even when I can join the Scouting honor society). I even told her that I would consider dropping an activity. (I have good grades too)

My dad is an Eagle Scout and went through his induction in the 1990s. He also doesn't want me to go because he had a bad experience with his induction. He tells me how he was hazed by older scouts and did nonstop service for 6 hours. He agrees with my mom that I’m too busy for OA.

I’ve tried to convince my dad that Scouting is a completely different organization from what it was in the 1990s, and I’ve explained to my mom that the induction isn't a terrible initiation. I have friends in the OA who are a third party and try to convince my parents about the benefits of joining. I also informed them about the new 2026 induction transition.

I understand that my parents want what’s best for me and believe they’re trying to help. However, I want them to realize that I should be the one leading my own life and choosing what I want to commit to.

In my opinion, I believe it's unfair that an experienced Scout has to be denied the chance to join the OA for reasons such as these.

In conclusion:
How can I persuade my parents to let me attend the OA induction without starting an argument, given our situation?

Thank you for taking the time to read, and please share any suggestions on what to do.

Context:
I’m 15 years old, male, a Life rank Scout (almost Eagle), and I have been involved in Scouting since the 6th grade. I want to join the OA so I can gain leadership experience, have fun, and strengthen my college applications. I’m absolutely willing to go through the challenges of the induction so I can have the chance to join.

The issue:
Every time I ask my parents if I can attend the next OA induction, they say “No.” I’ve been eligible to join OA for two years and have been voted to be the OA representative in my Troop twice, yet they still deny me. I ask persistently and never nag about it. It has now reached a point where whenever I ask, they jump to negative conclusions.

More Context:
I believe my parents only see the OA as a bad organization and don’t see any benefits in joining.

My mom has never been involved in scouting before, but my aunt only tells her the negatives about my cousin’s induction (which was in 2024), such as small food portions, being forced not to talk, and service projects. Whenever I bring up the benefits of the OA, she resorts to lecturing me about a horrible (not true) exaggerated version of the induction.
She also believes that joining OA won't help me in college admissions, that I’m too busy with two sports, clubs, and scouting, and she tells me to focus on getting into the National Honor Society (even when I can join the Scouting honor society). I even told her that I would consider dropping an activity. (I have good grades too)

My dad is an Eagle Scout and went through his induction in the 1990s. He also doesn't want me to go because he had a bad experience with his induction. He tells me how he was hazed by older scouts and did nonstop service for 6 hours. He agrees with my mom that I’m too busy for OA.

I’ve tried to convince my dad that Scouting is a completely different organization from what it was in the 1990s, and I’ve explained to my mom that the induction isn't a terrible initiation. I have friends in the OA who are a third party and try to convince my parents about the benefits of joining. I also informed them about the new 2026 induction transition.

I understand that my parents want what’s best for me and believe they’re trying to help. However, I want them to realize that I should be the one leading my own life and choosing what I want to commit to.

In my opinion, I believe it's unfair that an experienced Scout has to be denied the chance to join the OA for reasons such as these.

In conclusion:
How can I persuade my parents to let me attend the OA induction without starting an argument, given our situation?

Thank you for taking the time to read, and please share any suggestions on what to do.