Girl Power - Raising Strong and Self-Reliant Girls

Girl Power – Raising Strong and Self-Reliant Girls -

Leslie Miller, LICSW

For parents raising girls in today’s world you may wonder with so few positive role models for young girls and poor media images of youth, how do we raise strong, independent and self-reliant young women?

Here are a few tips:

1. Pay attention to what your children are watching on TV. There is an abundance of programming that portrays young girls negatively. Teen and pre-teen girls are often depicted as mean, competitive and overly focused on gaining the attention of young males.

2. Talk to your pre-teen and adolescent about negative stereotypes in the media.

3. Check your own preoccupation with appearance, body-image and weight issues. Do you often discuss dieting with your peers? Do you engage in discussions about weight and dieting? Do you refer to yourself as “fat?”

4. Discuss the importance of personal integrity in relationships. The pre-teen and teen years can be challenging when girls are vying for the acceptance of their peers. Learning compassion and empathy when dealing with others is a critical skill. Accepting others for who they and learning to live with differences is vital to success in personal and professional relationships.

5. Encourage activities that promote creativity, sportsmanship and independent thinking.

6. Guide your daughter to help her make her own choices.

If you would like more information on Girls’ Empowerment Workshops and Counseling, please contact the Lynnfield Family Center, or visit us on the web: http://www. lynnfieldfamilycenter.org