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Self-esteem vital for girls
Theresa Seraphim g
Spotlight
In order to keep their true selves and grow into healthy adults, girls need love from family and friends, meaningful work, respect, challenges and physical and psychological safety. They need good habits for coping with stress, self-nurturing skills and a sense of purpose and perspective. -Mary Pipher, Reviving Ophelia
Self-esteem: A confidence and satisfaction in oneself: SELF-RESPECT - Merriam - Webster dictionary
This week, almost 30 girls from Grade 7 to 9 are at Camp Warwa for the “Outback Power Pack” self-discovery camp.
The camp, sponsored by the Town of Slave Lake, provides programming giving those young women the chance to explore who they are. Activities include swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, organized sports and various self-discovery activities.
There is no underestimating the importance of self-esteem for the female members of our society, particularly those in the age group attending the camp. As Piper points out, the term “self-esteem” encompasses a good number of characteristics.
The girls at the camp have their work cut out for them.
According to a Media Awareness Network (MAN) article about images of girls and women in media, a study by Maya Gotz of the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television showed media still conform to stereotyped images.
“In general, girls and women are motivated by love and romance, appear less independent than boys…(T)hey are nearly always conventionally attractive, thinner than average women in real life, and heavily sexualized,” says the article.
The mixed messages promulgated by media make girls’ transition to adulthood difficult. A 1988 study done by the Canadian council on Social Development reported that while boys’ self-confidence held steady throughout their teens, the number of girls reporting confidence in themselves decreased from 72 per cent in Grade Six to 55 per cent in Grade Ten.
The MAN article goes on to say, “The most cursory examination of media confirms that young girls are being bombarded with images of sexuality, often dominated by stereotypical portrays of women and girls as powerless, passive victims.”
This is exactly the type of situation that the Outback Powerpack program is setting out to undo. These teens represent the next generation of women, and they are not limited by anything. They do not have to – indeed, they should not – fit into a particular mold because society says that’s their only role.
After this week, they will see they don’t have to. And, hopefully, they will not.
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