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“Seven in ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members.” (source: Real Girls, Real Pressure report.) This is astonishing. We have to do something about this.
I often get asked why I blog. Several reasons, but mainly because I hope to inspire women to be the best they can be. By inspiring mothers I hope to help enrich their lives, which will, in turn, inspire their children.
Recently, I was contacted and told about the Dove (you know, the soap people) Self-Esteem Fund. Dove’s been doing a great job over the past several years by doing provocative commercials with their campaign for “real beauty” where woman (of all shape, race and size) are shown just as they are in real life. They represent all of us. Now, Dove is helping young girls with self esteem — this is something we can all grab onto to help the next generation grow up to be strong, smart women.
Here are some statistics from a report that was commissioned by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.
Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, reveals that there is a self-esteem crisis in this country that pervades every aspect of a girl’s life including her looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members
- 62% of all girls feel insecure or not sure of themselves
- 57% of all girls have a mother who criticizes her own looks
- More than half (57%) of all girls say they don’t always tell their parents certain things about them because they don’t want them to think badly of them
- The top wish among all girls is for their parents to communicate better with them which includes more frequent and more open conversations as well as discussions about what is happening in their own lives
Wow. These statistics are powerful. Only three in every 10 girls feels worthy. What is wrong with this picture?
On Dove’s Web site they have set up an area with tools to help parents teach their girls about self esteem. You can view and download several tools to help you start the conversation. Visit the site here.
ENTER TO WIN:
The Dove people sent me a prize pack to give away. It includes a T-shirt and two books.
- “Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds from Now” by Jessica Weiner
- “Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters” by Courtney E. Martin
- Dove’s “You’re Beautiful pass it on” T-shirt
Just submit a comment to this blog post. (Be sure to fill in your email address on the comment form so I can contact you if you win. Those without an email address will be disqualified.)
The lucky winner will be randomly selected.
Deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.
Only one entry per person please.
The winner will be announced on the blog after Dec. 9.
Good luck!
Click the comment link below to submit your comment for inclusion in the contest.
The Mom says
Great giveaway, powerful messages too! Thanks for the chance!
rachael says
this would be perfect for my 12 year old daughter!
Amy says
My daughter is only 4 and still feels very sure of herself, but those painful teenage years are coming. I’m sure this reading material will come in handy. Thanks!
jenna says
These look like great books with a powerful message. Thanks!
Allison says
This would be wonderful! I have a little one who will be a woman before I know it! Thanks!
amber says
AMAZING package! I have heard of that book Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now, and have been wanting to read it. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Danielle says
This is such a great giveaway! Thanks
Go Amie says
I’ve wanted to read Courtney Martin’s book for a while; I follow her on feministing.com
Julie says
The statistics are so sad!! My own little one is still on the way (no clue yet if baby is a boy or a girl)…but I have seven nieces and nanny two little girls and it makes me sad to think that any of them would feel like they aren’t worthy!!
Dalicia says
Great giveaway I really need to read this books. thanks
Niurka says
This would be great to teach my daughter about self love and respect
Yadira says
My daughter is only 4yrs old and there are times that she makes comments that are not very assuring. There are days that she looks like she has a lot on her mind and for her age that concerns me. I ask her whats wrong and she says the kids at school say she’s fat and that makes her feel sad. It breaks my heart tto hear her say that, especially that she’s only 4yrs old. I tell her all the time that she is not and that she is beautiful just the way she is. I m so glad that there is information in how to deal with this. This is a wonderful way in how to get the messege out. THANK YOU
sarah says
i would pass this on to my nieces. i’m sure they would appreciate this!
Christi says
Though I don’t have a daughter, I do have three nieces, so I’d love to win this! Thanks so much!
Ginny says
I’d love this for my 11 year old.
April says
Wow! I have 3 young girls (7, 6 and 5) and Im already seeing their low self esteem problems. I need to change it now before they become teenagers! All help is deeply appreciated!
Betty says
Hi, my daughter is 14. We lived in the same town until she was 11 then we had to move because of my husbands job. She had to leave behind all her friends and her 16 year old brother that decided to live with his Dad to keep from moving. Now we have moved again… 3 places in 3 years. She has not had a friend since we left her hometown 3 years ago. She has become very overweight with extremely low self esteem. All she does is stay in her room after school. She does talk to me but not about her feelings. I am very worried for her.
Susan Womens self esteem says
Those facts are pretty disturbing! What you are doing with your blog is very commendable and beautiful. And I really like the campaigns that Dove is running.
Lori Gilson says
This is my first time visiting this blog. I am glad I found in through Google. The message of this particular post is inspiring. Once a teenager myself, and as the mother of a 14-year-old girl, I can relate to the self-esteem issue and “measure up” that is felt with our girls. I absolutely love the Dove t-shirts.