# Key Terms Part of the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/guide/index.md) *1. Foundations of Citizenship* > **1.** Before beginning work on other requirements for this merit badge, research the following terms and explain to your counselor how you feel they relate to the Scout Oath and Scout Law: identities, diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership, and upstander. This requirement is your foundation. Before you dive into the rest of the badge, you need to understand the language — the key terms that will come up again and again. These are not just vocabulary words for a test. They are ideas that shape how people treat each other every single day. Take your time with each term. Think about what it means in your own life, and especially think about how it connects to the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Your counselor wants to hear *your* understanding, not a dictionary definition. ### Identities Your **identity** is the collection of traits, beliefs, and characteristics that make you *you*. Some parts of your identity you were born with — your race, your ethnicity, where you grew up. Other parts you choose — your hobbies, your values, your goals. And some parts, like your religious beliefs or cultural traditions, may be shaped by your family. Everyone has multiple identities at the same time. You might be a Scout, a soccer player, a big sister, a person of faith, and a math whiz — all at once. Understanding that every person carries this kind of complexity helps you see them as a full human being, not just one label. > **Tip** > > Try listing five parts of your own identity. Then ask a friend or family member to do the same. You might be surprised by how much overlap — and how much difference — you discover. ### Diversity **Diversity** means variety. A diverse group includes people with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, abilities, and identities. Think of your Scout troop, your school, or your neighborhood — the more different kinds of people who are part of it, the more diverse it is. Diversity is not just about what people look like. It also includes differences in how people think, what they believe, where they come from, what languages they speak, and what challenges they have faced. **Scout Law connection:** A Scout is *Friendly* — a friend to all, regardless of differences. ### Equality **Equality** means giving everyone the same thing. Same rules, same opportunities, same treatment. It sounds simple, and in many cases it is the right approach. Everyone deserves the same basic rights and protections. But equality alone does not always create fairness — which is where the next term comes in. ### Equity **Equity** means giving people what they *need* to have a fair chance. Because people start from different places and face different challenges, treating everyone exactly the same can sometimes leave some people behind. Here is a simple example: imagine three Scouts trying to see over a fence. One is tall, one is average height, and one uses a wheelchair. Giving them each the same stepstool (equality) helps the first two but not the third. Equity means providing a ramp so *all three* can see the game. > **Did You Know?** > > The difference between equality and equity is one of the most discussed ideas in modern citizenship. Understanding it does not mean you have to agree on every policy — it means you understand why some people need different kinds of support to have the same opportunities. ### Inclusion **Inclusion** means making sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued — not just present. You can invite someone to the table (that is diversity), but inclusion means making sure they feel comfortable speaking up and that their voice actually matters. **Scout Law connection:** A Scout is *Kind* and *Courteous* — you treat others with respect and make them feel like they belong. ### Discrimination **Discrimination** means treating someone unfairly because of who they are — their race, gender, religion, disability, or any other part of their identity. It can be obvious (like refusing to let someone join a team) or subtle (like always ignoring someone's ideas in a group project). Discrimination is the opposite of the Scout Law. A Scout is *Fair*, *Friendly*, and *Kind*. > **Safety First!** > > If you experience or witness discrimination, tell a trusted adult — a parent, teacher, Scoutmaster, or counselor. You do not have to handle it alone, and speaking up is not "tattling." It is leadership. ### Ethical Leadership **Ethical leadership** means doing the right thing even when it is hard, unpopular, or costly. An ethical leader makes decisions based on values — honesty, fairness, compassion — not just on what is easy or what benefits them personally. The Scout Oath says "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty." That word *honor* is at the heart of ethical leadership. It means your word matters and your actions match your values. ### Upstander An **upstander** is someone who speaks up or takes action when they see something wrong. The opposite of an upstander is a *bystander* — someone who sees a problem but does nothing. Choosing to be an upstander takes courage, but it is one of the most powerful things you can do. You do not have to confront a bully head-on to be an upstander. Sometimes being an upstander means comforting the person who was hurt, reporting the situation to an adult, or simply refusing to laugh along. > **Be Prepared! What If You See Someone Being Excluded?** > > You notice a Scout being left out of a group activity. No one is being mean on purpose — they just forgot to include them. What do you do? > > - **Step one**: Walk over and invite them to join. "Hey, we're about to start — come join us!" > - **Step two**: If they seem hesitant, pair up with them yourself so they are not alone. > - **Step three**: Later, mention it casually to the group. "Let's make sure we grab everyone next time." > - **Step four**: Keep an eye out. Inclusion is not a one-time act — it is a habit. ![Two Scouts sitting at a table with notebooks, discussing ideas and writing, with a Scout handbook visible](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/guide/scouts-discussing-terms?v=32242ee7) ### Connecting the Terms to the Scout Oath and Scout Law Your counselor will want to hear how *you* connect these terms to Scouting. There is no single right answer, but here are some connections to think about: **Terms & the Scout Law** — Think about which points of the Scout Law each term connects to - [ ] Identities: A Scout is Friendly — to all kinds of people, not just those who are similar. - [ ] Diversity: A Scout is Courteous — treating everyone with respect regardless of background. - [ ] Equality: A Scout is Fair — giving everyone the same basic rights and dignity. - [ ] Equity: A Scout is Helpful — recognizing when someone needs extra support. - [ ] Inclusion: A Scout is Kind — making people feel they truly belong. - [ ] Discrimination: A Scout is Brave — standing against unfair treatment. - [ ] Ethical Leadership: A Scout is Trustworthy — doing the right thing even when it is hard. - [ ] Upstander: A Scout is Brave — taking action when you see injustice. [Scout Oath and Scout Law](https://www.scouting.org/about/faq/question10/): Review the full text of the Scout Oath and Scout Law on the official Scouting America website. --- These eight terms are the building blocks for everything that follows in this badge. You will see them again and again as you work through the requirements. Make sure you are comfortable with each one before moving on. --- - Previous: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/guide/index.md) - Next: [Ethical Leadership](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/guide/req2/index.md)