Confidence in girls is an issue that typically arises in pubescent stages and affects every girl in some way or another. The effects of fluctuating confidence often last into adulthood, hindering both professional and personal lives of girls who are constantly trying to be good enough for the unrealistic standards set forth by society and media.
While boys and girls both struggle with confidence starting at 8, it is stated that the equal confidence levels begin to shift at age 12 that is when boys’ confidence begins to grow and typically girls’ confidence begins to plummet. This is because boys receive more encouragement to take risks and fail, whereas girls are encouraged to be perfectionists. Perpetuating gender roles is something that both girls and boys face disadvantages from. Another problem that arises at this age is that society puts emphasis on girls’ looks, whereas this does not happen to boys until much later in life.
Female role models in girls’ lives are very important. There are many things older women and role models can do to help the young girls around them. It could be changing a behaviour they did not even know they had, but was so ingrained in them due to the same confidence issues in their own youth. One thing that is suggested for s improving this problem is helping girls find role models that they can look up to and be inspired by when it comes to taking risks:
“We have to learn to take risks too! Women, most of us anyway, still shy away from risks. But we always tell women — start small. First evaluate what actually is a risk to you. For some women it’s speaking up, for others, it’s owning accomplishments, for still others, it’s being even a tiny bit imperfect.”
This is a hopeful notion. Being a good role model can be as easy as speaking up and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Thankfully, it doesn’t take skydiving to be a good role model.
For more information on confidence trends relating to gender, visit the source information at the A Mighty Girl website.
Girl Pow-R is a group of young women at Canyon Entertainment Group that ranges from ages 10-16 who are experiencing this gap becoming more present in their own lives. They are trying to combat the confidence issues that seem to come with being a girl in modern society, while helping other young girls and inspiring them to combat confidence issues in their own lives too. Contact us today for more information at info(at)girlpow-r.com.