Girl Power -- Adolescence and Girls

Adolescence can be a difficult time for young girls and their parents. As stated by Dr. Nelba Chavez "…our culture bombards girls with messages to stay thin, attract boys, consume harmful drugs, and focus more on what others think of them than what they think of themselves." How do we as parents, physicians, educators and as members of society help guide girls through this turbulent time and help them develop into confident and successful young women?

Studies have shown that during early adolescence (ages 9-14) girls tend to lose self -confidence, become less physically active, perform less well in school and neglect their own ideas and aspirations. Societal expectations, either overt or subtle, encourage teenage girls to place more emphasis on their looks, their ability to win male approval, their social skills and their ability to please others, rather than developing their own interests and goals. One need only look at the covers of teen magazines to see this trend. Parents, schools and members of the community can all take an active role in providing positive choices and guiding young girls through this time. Premature sexual activity, drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders can all start in early adolescence. Girls can be helped to make good life choices by educating them about the tough decisions they will face and providing healthy alternatives to risky behaviors.

I would like to share some ideas for helping girls develop the skills and confidence they need to make healthy choices. These ideas are from the "Girl Power" campaign developed by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. Girl Power refers to the power all girls have to be the best they can be; confident, fulfilled and feeling good about themselves.

1. Believe in the abilities of girls. Praise both their attempts and their achievements. Encourage girls to express their opinions, feelings and beliefs in positive ways. Discourage unhealthy behaviors such as premature sexual activity, drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

2. Talk with girls and listen to what they are saying. Discuss your concerns and beliefs with them.

3. Be clear with girls that drug and alcohol use is wrong.

4. Let them know that premature sexual activity is not necessary.

5. Help girls develop the social skills that will allow them to make good decisions. Skills such as critical thinking, communication and building relationships will help them deal with potentially dangerous or awkward situations.

6. Involve yourself in the education of girls. Help them view difficult subjects as challenges rather than impossible tasks.

7. Help girls to respect their bodies. Make sure they realize that we all come in different shapes and sizes and that there is no one perfect body type. Help them realize that professional models, actresses and singers have teams of people helping them look the way they are. Encourage girls to develop healthy eating habits and exercise programs.

8. Help girls develop critical thinking skills. Help them question what they see and read. You can help them develop these skills by taking time to listen to their music and watching TV shows and movies that interest them. Discuss the images and messages that are shown and how these can affect behavior,

9. Help adolescents to develop and achieve goals. Provide opportunities for them to become involved with sports, the arts and other activities such as youth groups and volunteer organizations. Developing academic and other interests will make their lives more interesting and rewarding and keep them away from risky behaviors.

10. Plan activities with the girls in your life and include their friends.

More information about the Girl Power campaign can be found on the web site www.girlpower.gov or by calling 1-800-544-7467.