Girl Scouts selling cookies in New York City before a storm. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images.
“Cookie Karens” are shaming young Girl Scouts and accusing these children of supporting abortion.
There are two things we should all agree on: Girl Scout cookies are delicious, and being unkind to kids is unacceptable. However, in a world already burdened with challenges like war and pandemics, some adults still fail to grasp the importance of kindness. A prime example is the adults who feel entitled to unleash their anger and negativity on young cookie sellers striving to earn funds for their Girl Scouts of the USA troop or achieve a new badge.
As someone who once sold cookies myself, I remember the biggest hurdles being the cold weather, indifferent shoppers at grocery stores, and the daunting task of delivering hundreds of boxes from my top sales. Unfortunately, today’s Girl Scouts face even harsher treatment that could have lasting effects on them.
Girl Scouts range in age from as young as five to nineteen, and these young entrepreneurs are being subjected to a barrage of hurtful comments, including body shaming, political rants, and misinformation regarding topics like abortion.
According to Insider, these young cookie sellers have become targets for adult bullies who yell at them about everything from price hikes to unfounded claims that cookie proceeds support Planned Parenthood and abortion. This is simply not true; the Girl Scouts of the USA clearly states on its website that they have no affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Insider also reported that tax documents show no funding has ever been allocated to Planned Parenthood.
While there are valid concerns regarding aspects of Girl Scout cookies (such as the controversial use of palm oil linked to child labor and environmental destruction), it is entirely inappropriate to harass young girls about their weight, body image, or to bring adult issues like abortion into their sales pitches.
In a viral tweet, a scout mom from Los Angeles, named Lisa, felt compelled to remind adults that these comments can be damaging to elementary school girls. “Please refrain from making remarks about weight gain or joking about how you can’t have Thin Mints in the house,” she wrote. “It’s hard to grow up confident if you’re afraid of food and critical of your body. If you don’t want to buy, just say ‘no, thank you!’”
Lisa, who is a parent coach at an eating disorder treatment center, shared that she often hears comments about weight during cookie sales. “During a two-hour booth shift, the accumulating remarks really add up,” she noted. “The most aggressive comments concern sugar and instilling fear regarding health issues like diabetes.”
Another mom, Sarah, described a food-shaming incident involving her group of 9 and 10-year-olds at a grocery store. One woman simply told the girls, “Cookies make you fat,” and walked away, which left them feeling dejected.
A different type of “Cookie Karen” was recalled by Melissa, who experienced a rude interaction with her 7-year-old daughter. “A woman shoved the cookie form back into my daughter’s hands and said, ‘I don’t support programs that support abortion,’” she recounted. “I was shocked; my child is only seven and has no idea what she’s talking about.”
Many parents have voiced their concerns and some have resorted to selling cookies online to avoid these unpleasant encounters. Moreover, it begs the question: What can these young girls do about the massive societal issues adults are projecting onto them?
So, if you feel the urge to critique a child selling cookies, perhaps take a moment to reflect on your actions. Instead of yelling at a kid simply trying to sell cookies, just say “no thanks” if you aren’t interested.
Let’s make a conscious effort to avoid becoming a “Cookie Karen.” After all, if you have concerns about the Girl Scouts or their cookies, a polite refusal is all that’s needed.
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Summary:
This article discusses the troubling trend of adult bullies targeting Girl Scouts during cookie sales, with incidents of body shaming and unfounded accusations regarding abortion. Parents are voicing their concerns about the negative impact these harsh comments can have on young girls, emphasizing the need for kindness and understanding.
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