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Opinion and observation on all aspects of raising and educating girls in today’s world...

  • The trouble with girls today...

    Thursday 12 May 2011

    Categories: Growing up, Media Influence, Role Models, Teenagers

    The trouble with girls today is that they are obsessed with appearance and possessions. Their role models are pop stars, WAGs, stars of reality shows like X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent and other D list celebrities. And girls just want fame and fortune…

    Or do they? A survey by the National Literacy Trust found that around a third of girls aged 8 to 13 simply want to be happy when they grow up. Only a tiny minority, just 3.5%, said they wanted to be famous – how very refreshing and reassuring.

    Perhaps we should give our daughters more credit. They may well follow the successes and trials of those women who are swept up in our celebrity culture but maybe, just maybe, our daughters are more media savvy than we think.

    After all as well as seeing the endless glamour shots and seemly indulgent lifestyles, they also hear of the trials and tribulations, disasters and despair of the likes of Katie Price, Cheryl Cole and Kerry Katona. Girls are also very aware that things aren’t always what they seem to be – they fully understand what can be done to “improve” a photo, how airbrushing and computer trickery can transform an ugly duckling into a swan.

    So if one in three girls wants to be happy how can parents help them achieve this? Happiness isn’t something you can “work towards” or study for, it certainly isn’t something you can buy. And although teaching happiness is all the rage right now, it has yet to be proved whether this is something that can be taught in schools.

    But parents can help their daughters realise that superficial things only bring short-term pleasure and that the secret of a successful and fulfilled life lies elsewhere. You can show them that to be happy you must be comfortable in your own skin, you must like yourself, and this means having self-confidence and achieving your personal goals. You can encourage your daughters to set themselves realistic, worthwhile targets and praise them for who they are, for their admirable personal qualities rather than their looks or their body shape. And you can show them positive role models by pointing out women who gain recognition via their own endeavours in be it in sport or business or in the media or by using their talents to improve others’ lives.

    And what about the two thirds of those girls in that survey who aren’t hoping to be happy? Perhaps they are going to achieve it en route to other goals, because happiness often just sneaks up on you while you’re doing something you’re good at or enjoy.

    Finally here are five simple steps which, if put into practice will help those who are looking for happiness:

    - Connect – Be active – Be curious – Learn – Give

    Try them yourself and you’ll see!

    Posted by Alison Morris

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