According to local research, 7 in 10 girls in Atlanta (69%) believe they aren’t good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. Self-esteem drops during the preteen years more in girls than in boys. Girls still turn to Mom for help, but 13% less of the time than they used to once they become teenagers. Rarely will they turn to Dad, (33% of the time), preferring to receive support from a male peer.
When girls feel bad about themselves, they often act out in self-abusing ways. One such way is to develop a negative body image. If they feel bad about themselves on the inside, it’s only natural they’ll extend the negativity to the outside.
Building up your daughter’s body image, even as young as 5 years old, can help her as she goes through these developmental and cultural challenges. We’ll give you some great ideas on how to do just that during our free workshop at the Atlanta Counseling Center February 20th, from 7-9pm. During that time we’ll have information for parents and a creative exercise appropriate for kids 8-18. Please RSVP by February 18 at [email protected].
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